Automotive Industry

Steel materials in the automotive industry have a superior strength range, good machinability, and excellent corrosion and thermal resistance. These steel products comprise up to 60% of today’s vehicle body structures and curb mass. Fundamentally, they allow efficient and lighter vehicle designs that improve safety, functionality, and fuel efficiency.

Bergsen Metals recognizes the need for top-quality steel products in the automotive industry. Our team is dedicated to supplying only top-caliber steel products. We leverage our worldwide networks of material suppliers, processors, and mills to ensure we deliver our customers’ requirements at the most competitive pricing and shortest lead time.

We supply a wide range of metal and steel products, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, and alloy steel.

Common Steels Used In The Automotive Industry

Different types of steel are used in manufacturing vehicles, and each type offers various advantages and applications. The common steel materials utilized in the automotive industry include:

Stainless Steel

Many vehicles contain between 2 to 15 kg. of stainless steel in their exhaust systems. It is a cost-effective chromium-iron alloy widely recognized for its durability, machinability, and corrosion resistance. Automotive frameworks made from this steel type offer the same level of strength as many other metal alloys but with the extra advantage of being more lightweight.

Advanced High-Strength Steel

Advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) provide superior strength with good ductility, which is ideal for automobile structural elements. AHSS has become the preferred material for bodywork, frames, doors, bumpers, and undercarriages.

High-Carbon Steel

Steels with a high carbon content are alloys that have undergone the quenching heat treatment method. They are less ductile and brittle than ordinary steel but have higher wear and tear resistance. Automakers choose high-carbon steel for vehicle frames, chassis, bushings, door panels, support beams, mufflers, and other components.

Moreover, these steels can be used to create a vehicle that meets safety standards, crash requirements, and design when combined with other steel grades.

Low-Carbon Steel

Low-carbon steel, also known as mild steel, is a low-cost metal with a significantly lower tensile strength and yield-point runout. It is commonly used for car housings, control arms, suspension parts, brackets, and other similar components. Its decorative applications include wheel rims, covers, screws, washers, bolts, nuts, and fasteners.

Galvanized Steel

Galvanized steel is cheaper than stainless steel but more effective than aluminum. It is a preferred material in various vehicles as it can make up nearly 80% of a car, truck, or motorcycle. When coated with a thin layer of zinc, this steel type can also improve the durability and functionality of the vehicle while requiring minimal maintenance and repair.

Steel Applications In the Automotive Industry

With the advantageous properties of steel and its alloys, automakers prefer to use them in various parts and components, such as:

Brake pads. These vehicle parts are composed of steel backing plates with friction material bound to the surface facing the disc brake rotors.
Engine. Motor engines are made primarily of steel. Structural and stainless steels are the most common types used in engine parts. Specific properties of stainless steel provide increased strength and wear resistance and are beneficial in manufacturing cylinder head gaskets and other engine components.
Exhaust. A vehicle’s exhaust piping is often made of stainless steel, which has a significantly longer lifespan due to its corrosion-resistant property.
Body. An autobody is designed to ensure passengers’ safety in case of collision. Steel is used to construct the basic chassis or vehicle’s structural framework. Door beams, roofs, and body panels are all made of steel.

Partner With Bergsen Metals For High-Quality Steel Products

Bergsen Metals offers a wide selection of automotive-grade metals, including high-quality steel products. We are proud to be an ISO-9001-certified organization that can meet customers’ specifications, no matter how unique they may be.

Working with Bergsen Metals will provide you with a reliable partner distributor, superb customer service, highly competitive rates, and prompt delivery for all your steel products requirements.