Aluminium is often the first material considered when weight reduction becomes a design objective, says Jared Knapp, sales manager for Industrial Tube Manufacturing.
“While it can deliver significant mass savings, it also introduces higher material costs and different fabrication requirements,” says Knapp.
He says that an alternative approach is to consider whether the same performance can be achieved using less steel.
“For decades, automotive manufacturers have used advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) to reduce vehicle mass while maintaining structural performance and safety. By using higher-strength materials, engineers can often reduce wall thickness and improve material efficiency without moving away from steel altogether.”
Knapp says manufacturers should also consider whether a higher-strength steel could achieve the same objective before moving to alternative materials.
“As pressure grows to improve efficiency and reduce weight, advanced high-strength steels are finding broader application in transport equipment, machinery and other fabricated products where strength-to-weight performance matters.”
He adds that Industrial Tube Manufacturing’s UltraTube range reflects this shift towards higher-performance steel solutions.
Sponsored content: For more information phone 0800 77 11 77, email sales@industrialtube.co.nz or visit www.industrialtube.co.nz.