The automotive industry is a major consumer of stainless steel. The most intricate parts of automobiles are made from stainless steel due to its strength and durability. Besides stainless steel being durable, it`s also lightweight, therefore it doesn`t increase the overall weight of the automobile once completed. Automobiles that have larger bodies made with stainless steel are comparably lighter, more durable, and easier on the eyes. Here are a few other ways the automotive industry makes use of stainless steel:
1. Corrosion-Resistant Material
Corrosion is an unavoidable process that happens naturally and results in the gradual destruction of materials. Fighting corrosion has been a major challenge for industries that use metal in their products, and the automotive industry is no exception. It`s constantly on the lookout for ways to improve the quality of their products, one of which is by using alloys, such as stainless steel.
Most parts of an automobile like the fuel pump, gas cylinders, tire rims, exhausts, and other vital components are made of metal and are thereby prone to rusting, a form of corrosion. Automobile companies resolve this issue by using stainless steel in the parts that are prone to corrosion. Stainless steel has a thin layer of film, known as the passive layer, which protects the steel when exposed to a corrosive environment.
Nowadays, you can have parts of your automobile casted and replaced with a stainless-steel version. Several companies offer stainless steel precision casting services, which will ensure that the metallic part of your automobiles is protected from rusting.
2. Aesthetic Beauty
Automobiles are mostly an assembly of metal parts, and if exceptional care is not taken, the average vehicle may look dull and unpleasant to the eyes. However, because most automotive industries have leveraged the silver finish of stainless steel, this makes the compositing parts of an average automobile look attractive.
The beauty of most automobiles comes from this shiny silver luster that is characteristic of parts casted with stainless steel. This is another major way the automotive industry raises the quality of their products.
3. Anti-Friction
Friction is generally a term used to describe the force of two bodies or surfaces moving or rubbing against each other. The frequent rubbing of two metal surfaces causes friction and these wear metals down. Gears and other components of automobiles, especially when the vehicle is in use, are subjected to friction.
The automobile industry has always been on the receiving end of the wear and tear effects of friction. To solve this, automobile companies have not only used grease or lubricants to lessen the effects of friction, but have also started to use materials, such as stainless steel, that are more wear-resistant compared to other types of steel.
In addition, stainless steel`s corrosion resistant feature, strength and durability make it the ideal material for a wide range of automobile parts. More so, it`s also 100% recyclable, making it environmentally friendly. By incorporating stainless steel in automobile parts, automobile become more durable and last longer.
4. Light Body Framework
Another often overlooked feature about automobiles is the fact that they’re very heavy. The heavier an automobile weighs, the higher its fuel consumption is. This is why many people shy away from bulky and heavy vehicles.
However, most automotive industries have found that using stainless-steel metal in making general body frameworks can reduce the car’s weight. This is because stainless steel metal is lighter than most metal. Hence, automobiles produced with stainless steel are usually lighter than those made from other metals and alloys. It has also been observed that you can easily extend the life of your car by buying cars with a lightweight steel metal body.
Conclusion
The use of metals is a cumbersome but unavoidable item in the automotive industry. Stainless is recently becoming a choice metal for parts in the automotive industry. The industry has learned to use stainless steel in places where it can replace other metals, such as wipers, pump bodies, clamps and airbag containers. Although these parts may look small to the average person, they are essential for automobiles to work and function properly.
Besides, with the increase in demand for strength and efficiency from the automotive industry, manufactures have realized that using stainless steel parts for automobiles have several advantages. They are lighter, of low maintenance, recyclable and more durable than most metals. To top it off, it is more resistant to the wear and tear brought about by friction and a lot more resistant to rusting.