Nippon Steel’s Hydrogen-Embrittlement-Resistant 2.0 GPa-Class Aluminized Hot-Stamping Steel Sheet Adopted for Nissan Motor's All-New ELGRAND

Nippon Steel Corporation (Nippon Steel) has announced that its 2.0 GPa-class aluminized hot-stamping steel sheet (2.0G AL-HS), which offers excellent resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, has been adopted for automotive body components in Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.'s (Nissan) all-new ELGRAND and by an overseas automaker.

Increasing material strength is an effective way to reduce vehicle body weight. However, higher-strength steel sheets are more susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement caused by hydrogen ingress, which can lead to strength degradation and cracking. Overcoming this issue has therefore been a key challenge.

Nippon Steel developed 2.0G AL-HS with excellent resistance to hydrogen embrittlement by optimizing its manufacturing processes. In Nissan's all-new ELGRAND, the steel sheet has been applied to underbody reinforcement components that form part of the vehicle's body structure. An overseas automaker has also applied the steel sheet to upper-body reinforcement components.

This adoption demonstrates Nippon Steel's competitiveness in the global market for high-strength hot-stamping steel. Going forward, Nippon Steel will continue to expand the application of its products to a wider range of vehicle components and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society through enhanced vehicle safety and reduced environmental impact.

Nippon Steel will continue to help build a more sustainable and prosperous society by relentlessly pursuing world-leading technologies and manufacturing capabilities, while advancing initiatives that are consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal 13, "Climate Action."