Article: Stainless steel starts to make a dent; As prices drop, automakers look beyond use for exhaust systems.(Design)

Byline: Wim Oude Weernink

Stainless steel has a bright future in the auto industry.

The metal has become the dominant material for some specialty applications because it is noncorrosive. About 80 percent of all exhaust systems in Europe are stainless steel.

But stainless steel is being considered for new uses, including body structures. Beyond corrosion resistance, stainless steel also offers substantial weight savings compared to mild steel because its high strength means parts can be made of thinner material.

"Ten years ago, stainless steel used to be five times the price of mild steel,'' says Nathalie Roulet, product and marketing ...

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