Light-weight steel for cast components

Purpose and goal:

The first goal with this project was to identify the benefits which could be gained by a new low-density steel. The stakeholder analysis indicated that a low-density steel is of interest for the Swedish foundries and as well as for their customers. The second goal was to investigate if such a material could be cast. The feasibility study concluded several challenges which require more attention. It was also demonstrated that it is possible to fabricate a steel with 15% lower density by casting.

The project has fulfilled both the goals which enables a new application for a new project. Expected results and effects:

The project presents the possibility and interest of further development of a low-density steel. There are several different alternatives for further development within casting of low-density steels. The project results clearly reveal the potential of a steel with a 15% lower density. Such an improvement together with maintained properties would be crucial for the automotive and marine industry both by increased properties but also by reduced energy consumption.

Approach and implementation:

The project was organized in two work packages, a stakeholder analysis and practical tests. The stakeholder analysis was conducted by means of interviews and surveys. The companies were asked to include persons from different departments to get a good dispersion in the answers.

As this was a feasibility study with limited time and resources only one casting attempt was possible. Hence, no process optimization was possible, which in a continuation project would be desirable.