Award in product development for the safer trucks

On September 19, 2016, Timo Mayer presented the findings of his Bachelor thesis in a speech "Joining technology in austenitic stainless steels for composite applications in commercial vehicle construction" ("Fügetechnische Auslegung austenitischer nichtrostender Stähle für Mischbau-Anwendungen im Nutzfahrzeugbau") at the DVS Congress, an event run by the German association for welding and related processes in Leipzig, Germany.

"I studied construction and development and consciously chose to include both areas in my Bachelor thesis. I found an interesting subject in the field of applications engineering after a discussion with Stefan Schuberth, Head of Applications Development at Krefeld R&D Center. I was able to prove in my study that high-tensile materials qualify as weldable with established galvanized steels for the commercial vehicle industry. This means that the crash safety of the vehicles can be increased while reducing the weight. The new nickel-free stainless steels are known as the Forta H-Series. Avoiding nickel brings the dual benefit of price stability and greater strength – both of which are important factors for Outokumpu customers," Timo says.

Outokumpu Forta H-series is known for its lightweight properties, which also have a positive influence on the CO2 footprint of the vehicles.

"Due to the excellent facilities in the Applications Technology department I was able to make a contribution towards safer commercial vehicle industry," Timo summarizes.

Timo Mayer will continue his internship at Outokumpu while studying towards Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.