We now know that the amount of advanced high strength steel incorporated into a car is usually reflected by a higher number of stars in the standardised collision safety tests on cars. In addition, increased use of high strength steels yields visible results in the fuel economy of cars. Every kilo of weight saved lowers the consumption of petrol or diesel fuel.

The furniture industry is considering the use of closed-section and open profiles of high strength steels for somewhat different reasons. In this application it is mainly the strength of the material that is decisive. The world’s furniture designers gain greater freedom if they can use thinner steel that still has unaltered properties in forming.

Other interesting examples of how tubes of advanced high strength steel can be used can be found at the French tube manufacturer Vallourec. The company produces hydroformed tubes and preassembled components used by the automotive industry. The dashboard console (see photo above) provides an illustration of this.

Tubes and profiles are usually delivered in standardised sizes. Although many customers naturally have special requirements, Bo Erik considers that the products offer major benefits especially as standardised elements.