AcaSal® - Thermomechanically rolled micro-alloy steel for complex forming applications with anti-corrosion properties

04.03.2020 | Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH

General

[Translate to Englisch:] Foto von einer Akazie

AcaSal® is a high-strength hot-dip galvanized steel based on thermomechanically rolled hot strip. The brand name was derived by Salzgitter Flachstahl from the acacia tree whose wood is noted for its great resilience and strength. More particularly, the wood is not only hard and robust, it is also highly elastic and is easy to work. These are also the defining characteristics of AcaSal® from Salzgitter Flachstahl.

 

Grades of steel

Two of the AcaSal® grades are already to be found in the Salzgitter Flachstahl product portfolio. These are AcaSal®500+Z and AcaSal®700+Z. Some additional variants are in the final stage of development, with the result that the AcaSal® family will in future include two further grades of steel. The range on offer will then comprise AcaSal®500+Z, AcaSal®550+Z, AcaSal®600+Z and AcaSal®700+Z.
All AcaSal® grades are based on a micro-alloyed galvanized hot strip, each with a minimum yield strength that provides the suffix to the product name. The reference grades are included in DIN EN 10346, in Tables 3 and 9 (group to HX500LAD). Similar grades of steel are also to be found in VDA 239-100 (group to HR700LA).
The steel is available with a conventional Z100 to Z275 zinc coating. The applicable standard for the AcaSal® group up to AcaSal®600+Z is DIN EN 10143. For AcaSal® 700 it is DIN EN 10051.

 

Microstructure

The microstructure of the AcaSal® steels is very fine. AcaSal®700+Z, for example, is characterized by a bainitic structure with proportions of perlite and ferrite, as well as smaller amounts of martensite.

Picture of the microstructure of AcaSal®
Structure after hot-dip galvanizing Bainite with a small proportion of martensite
Picture of full laser weld structure
Structure of the laser weld: full penetration
Photo of a fold test
Fold test for AcaSal®500+Z

Thanks to its fine, micro-alloyed structure, AcaSal®500+Z exhibits outstanding formability, as the example of a fold test with zero cracking clearly shows.

 

Processing hints and areas of application

[Translate to Englisch:] Foto eines Crashrohrs aus AcaSal®

The AcaSal® group of formable steels are used in the manufacture of cold-formed components in a wide variety of designs which exploit the significant strength potential of these materials coupled with a saving in component weight.
AcaSal® is easily weldable and intended primarily for the manufacture of:
•    Chassis frames
•    Cold pressings
•    Cold sections
•    Structural tubes
Users of these steels must ensure that their calculation, design and production processes are compatible with this material. The forming process employed must be suitable for the intended purpose of use and comply with the state of the art. This is of fundamental importance for the processing performance of this grade of steel.
Typical applications which exploit the significant strength potential coupled with a saving in weight include vehicle manufacturing, side- and cross-members for trucks and trailers, safety-relevant car components and rail cars.