Evaluation of 1180MPa Ultra High Strength Steel Automotive Components for Crash Energy Absorption

Abstract

1180MPa ultra-high strength steel is predicted to be applied to energy absorbing (EA) parts for automotive weight reduction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the applicability of 1180 MPa steel to actual EA components. Actual front-side-members applied with 1180 MPa steel were evaluated for their effects on weight and EA performance by FEM analysis and experiments. The experimental results of the developed structure showed 11% decrease in weight and 10% increase in EA from the base structure applied with 590 and 780 MPa steels. It was important to apply the spot weld fracture prediction model to improve the accuracy of FEM analysis.