"Lightweight Steel"

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What is it?Ive read numerous times, of manufactures of certain equipment, mentioning they are building with light weight steel...Is this alloy significantly lighter than "heavy steel". ???Same welding processes?
Reply:No doubt referring to the "high strength, low alloy" steels.  Just stronger so you can get by with using less steel in some applications."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:If it's steel, the density ranges from 7.75 - 8.05 g/cm3(4.5-4.7 oz/in3), depending on alloy composition.  That's not much variation in the grand scheme of things.I suspect what you're referring to are a class of steels known as HSLA (High strength low alloy) steels.  these are being used in the auto industry extensively to compete with aluminum.  HSLA parts can be made thinner, and therefore lighter in weight, while retaining the same performance.  Hence they are light weight steel components.If I've guessed wrong, give us a reference for what you're asking about.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Ive seen it mentioned multiple times in logging grapple loaders. Ill see if i can grab a saying from their site.
Reply:could be listed next to the invisible aluminum from star trek ..just ask scotty...lolOf all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Originally Posted by roadkillbobbcould be listed next to the invisible aluminum from star trek ..just ask scotty...lol
Reply:Lightweight steel...........a good sales pitch with an actual meaning of "we're not going to make this with thick metal that might last longer, because we're cheap"
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianCLightweight steel...........a good sales pitch with an actual meaning of "we're not going to make this with thick metal that might last longer, because we're cheap"
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauI believe what you are referring to was "transparent aluminum" not invisible.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianCLightweight steel...........a good sales pitch with an actual meaning of "we're not going to make this with thick metal that might last longer, because we're cheap"
Reply:fords' new f150 is mostly aluminum with this new high strength/light weight steel as the main frame due to steels higher fatigue properties. I think it's amazing, Saves 700 lbs in weight, waiting for the day mass produced carbon fiber cars will be out.
Reply:Originally Posted by AluminumWelderfords' new f150 is mostly aluminum with this new high strength/light weight steel as the main frame due to steels higher fatigue properties. I think it's amazing, Saves 700 lbs in weight, waiting for the day mass produced carbon fiber cars will be out.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumGot that right.  Stronger?  Yes, maybe the yield and ultimate strength, but then they make it thin.  Stiffer?  No way.  Corrosion resistance?  Maybe if you put Copper in it or something.
Reply:Originally Posted by roadkillbobball this high tech material is great untill it comes to the cost of repairing it..so you save some gas money to pay higher insurance to cover the higher expense to repair it...
Reply:I might not be correct on this but...........Some years ago, the engineers pretty much abandoned the 2x, 3x, 4x way of designing.  In other words, 4 times the anticipated load as a safety factor.From what I hear/read, the new strategy is a statistical model.  Probability of failure.  Less stringent.  But cheaper."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Thanks. Was just wondering if i was missing something.
Reply:"all this high tech material is great untill it comes to the cost of repairing it..so you save some gas money to pay higher insurance to cover the higher expense to repair it..."LOL, is this a welding forum. it's aluminum for heavens sake ,since when is aluminum a HIGH tech material???if you bust a panel weld it back together, or bondo or whatever you feel like. insurance is higher because it's expensive awesome truck not because it's aluminum, wait a few years and guess what insurance goes down.  I guess old dogs' dont' drive new trucks? hug a tree while you are at it.
Reply:Lots of takes here brendonv, here's mine: "lightweight" steel, at least in the structural steel industry, could be eluding to higher tensile strength steel so that a similarly rated part(strength/longevity) can be made from thinner material and thus weigh less. That is the premise for using A572 grade materials for beams that allows for a "lighter" weight beam for the same application where an "old school" A36 beam would have been used in the past and weighed much more.With regard to automobiles/pickups, they are touting weight reduction to promote the saving of more fuel and possibly a higher payload capacity. Just my $.02 to add here. Best regards, Allanaevald