Semi-finished products of steel tubes and tube parts play a vital role in the field of automotive accessories. These semi-finished products are usually used to manufacture various automotive parts, such as frames, suspension systems, exhaust systems, and steering systems. Since the automotive industry has extremely high-performance requirements for materials, semi-finished products of steel tubes and tube parts must have excellent strength, corrosion resistance, and processing performance.
First, automobile frames and suspension systems usually use high-strength steel tubes, which are precisely heat-treated and cold-processed to withstand huge loads and impact forces, thereby ensuring the stability and safety of the vehicle under different road conditions. Secondly, tube fittings in the exhaust system require excellent heat and corrosion resistance to adapt to the harsh environment of high temperatures and exhaust gas. These tube parts are usually made of special alloy steel or coated to extend service life and improve durability. In addition, steel tubes and tube parts are also widely used in automotive steering systems, providing precise operating feel and reliable steering performance.
During the production process, these semi-finished products of steel tubes and tube parts undergo strict quality control, including non-destructive testing and strength testing, to ensure that each component meets the strict standards of the automotive industry. Through continuous technological innovation and optimized processing technology, we can provide automakers with high-quality semi-finished products, supporting them in producing safer and higher-performance vehicles.
Semi-finished steel products may be defined as intermediate goods in the steel industry that are further processed into finished steel products. They represent a vital link between the production of steel and its final application in producing various kinds of other commodities.
In this article, we will analyze the main groups within the range of semi-finished steel products along with their characteristics and technological parameters, possible methods of production, post-processing, application areas, and so on.
The front seat backrest tube is quite an important part of the automobile seat frames. It provides support to structure the seat’s back and has a bearing on matters like seating comfort, safety, and ergonomics.
They are created in different section shapes, measures as well as steel grades to fit particular car models including their seating arrangement. These have rectangular, square, or round cross-sections with outside diameters that range between 16mm and 35mm. The standard lengths of tubes are determined by some industry specifications such as DIN 17100 and EN 10305-3. Normally the thickness of the tube stays between 1.5mm to 3mm.
Manufacturing techniques used for producing these tubes include electric resistance welding, laser welding, and seam welding. Whereas high-frequency induction welding allows strong tubing development. This includes bending, cutting, hole punching, notching, and deburring which assists in achieving dimensional accuracy and customization.
Front seat backrest tube products are widely used in car seat systems as the main support structure of the backrest. Its high-strength design ensures that the seat can provide stable support in the event of a collision and protect the safety of passengers.
The headrest shrink tube is an automotive steel tube used in the headrest assembly of a car seat, which holds onto the seat rods and attaches to the upper backrest frame.
The dimensional specifications for the headrest shrink tubes are outer diameters that range between 10mm and 16mm with thicknesses of approximately 1mm to 2.5mm depending on its diameter. The dominant steel grades include HC340LA, HC420LA, and HC500LA which are widely deployed.
Production processes such as electric resistance welding or laser welding produce tubes having longitudinal weld seams. In turn, these internal weld seams are ground away for aesthetic purposes and safety. After treatment like necking it will cause a “shrink” effect facilitating stability when inserting headrest rods thereinto. Chamfering, clean finishing, and dimensional checks ensure quality.
Headrest shrink tube products are widely used in the headrest adjustment system of car seats. Through its telescopic function, it helps adjust the height and angle of the headrest to ensure that passengers get the best head support and comfort during driving.
A cross-car beam is a key motorcar part that enhances passenger safety and vehicle structural stiffness. It is mounted horizontally in front of the windshield. The cross-car beam has numerous functions:
1. It gives points on which to fix and ensure the casing of the vehicle dashboard.
2. The chassis is reinforced making it stronger in torsion.
3. Frontal impact energy absorption, hence protecting occupants.
4. During airbag deployment, it acts as a structure support
Cross-car beams are made from strong steels such as HSLA, martensitic steel, and UHSS with a minimum yield strength of 340 MPa. Examples include HC420LA, HC500LA, and S500MC among others. This is important because of their combined high strength and energy-absorbing characteristics.
Beam profiles can be square, rectangular, round, or hat-shaped. Typical widths/diameters range from 25mm to 100mm while thicknesses lie between 2mm and -5 mm. Standard lengths fall within the range of 500 mm to 1500 mm.
Cross car beam products are widely used in automobile chassis and body structures to provide lateral support. They disperse lateral forces when the vehicle is driving, improving the stability and safety of the vehicle body.
The side door impact beam, popularly called the side impact bar, is meant to be used indoors to strengthen them when they are hit from the sides. They are very important for securing people inside the car when it’s hit on its side.
These beams have tubular or shaped cross sections varying in diameter from 15mm up to 60mm and thickness of 1mm to 3mm. Its length goes with dimensions of doors starting from 300mm to 1500 mm. The trend is shifting towards high-strength steel grades such as hot-formed boron steel having a minimum yield strength of 1500 MPa.
The manufacturing process comprises unique operations for this kind of steel like hot stamping of boron steel blanks. Trimming, hole punching, tempering to achieve required strength, and painting are some examples of post-processing activities. Strict control processes ensure that these beams have excellent energy absorption properties in case of an impact.
Side door impact beam products are widely used in the internal structure of the side door of the car. They are designed to absorb the impact force in the event of a side collision, significantly improving the side collision safety of the vehicle.
The anti-collision bar steel tubes, also known as the crash bar, is a key automotive safety component. It comprises a straight steel tube installed longitudinally across the front or rear of a vehicle. The ultra-high strength tube absorbs impact energy and resists deformation during collisions.
Anti-collision tubes have diameters typically ranging from 25mm to 35mm and thicknesses of 1mm to 3mm. Steel grades with 1500MPa to 2000MPa yield strength like boron steels are ideal. Round, rectangular, or hat sections are common shapes.
Manufacturing processes consist of specialized techniques like hot forming and press hardening of boron alloy tubes. This imparts excellent energy absorption properties. Post-processing like tempering and hole drilling produces the final components.
Anti-collision bar steel tubes are widely used in the internal structure of the front and rear bumpers of automobiles. As the first line of defense when the vehicle collides, they effectively absorb and reduce the impact force to protect the body and passengers.
The car seat frame provides the underlying structure supporting the seat assembly. It consists of steel tubes welded together into a skeletal framework holding the seat components.
Seat frame tubes typically have round sections with outer diameters ranging from 20mm to 32mm. Tube thickness is usually between 1mm to 2mm. Standard automotive grade steels like STKM11, STKM13, and E355 are commonly used. These provide an optimal combination of strength, formability, and weldability.
Manufacturing processes consist of tube welding techniques like electric resistance welding, laser welding, and TIG welding to join the framework. Robotic welding ensures high precision and consistency. Post-processing includes operations like bending, cutting, notching, and drilling to achieve the final customized seat geometry.
The seat frame tubes must withstand mechanical forces from occupants and vibration stresses. At the same time, the tubes enable flexible shaping into ergonomic seat designs. The sturdy yet formable steel tubes provide the foundation for seat structural integrity, performance, and safety.
Car seat frame tubes are widely used in seat structures, providing overall strength and durability of the seat. Its solid structure ensures that the seat remains comfortable and safe under various driving conditions.
The backrest assembly of car seats contains an internal framework made of steel tubes for structural support. These backrest tubes must combine strength, comfort, and safety considerations.
Dimensional specifications for backrest tubes include a 25mm to 25.4mm outer diameter range with thicknesses between 1.2mm to 1.5mm. The tube length matches the backrest dimensions. Automotive steel grades like STKM11, STKM12, and STKM13 are commonly used.
Manufacturing uses tube welding techniques to fabricate straight tube sections. Post-processing operations like bending, cutting, punching, notching, and surface treatment help achieve the final customized shapes. Stringent tolerance control ensures robust strength and dimensional accuracy.
In application, the backrest steel tubes undergo loading from occupants. The tubes provide ergonomic shape support while resisting bending and deformation stresses. Optimization between strength, lightness, and formability is crucial for lasting performance.
Car backrest steel tubes are widely used in the seat back part, providing solid support to ensure that the seat can effectively protect the back and waist of the passengers when the vehicle collides.
The back support tube provides vital structural reinforcement to the seat backrest assembly in an automobile. It bolsters the backrest frame to endure loading from passengers and driving vibrations.
Key specifications for back support tubes are 25mm to 25.4mm outer diameter range with thicknesses between 1.2mm to 1.5mm. Steel grades like STKM11, STKM12, and STKM13 offer a good balance of strength and formability.
Manufacturing processes utilize tube welding techniques to fabricate straight or contoured tube sections matching the backrest shape. Post-processing like bending, notching, and drilling helps achieve final customized designs.
In application, the back support steel tube is strategically integrated into the backrest frame, often along the sides or lower back area. It reinforces the structure against bending and distributes stresses uniformly. Optimization for sufficient strength, lightness, and ergonomic shape support is critical.
Car backrest steel tubes are widely used in the seat back part, providing solid support to ensure that the seat can effectively protect the back and waist of the passengers when the vehicle collides.
Semi-finished products are a very broad array of intermediate forms in steel production. This write-up aimed to provide an overview of different semi-finished product types for the automotive industry. We provided information on various properties, manufacturing techniques, specifications, and use purposes for diverse semis like beams, tubes, or profiles.
Therefore, semi-finished steel can be utilized to manufacture automobile components for any kind of car. For the finest semi-finished steels used in the automotive business, deal with CBIES. Reach us today at CBIES so that we can take care of your production needs.