University of Extrication: Shapes of Advanced Steels in Vehicles - Part 7
SUBJECT: Advanced Steels, Part 7
TOPIC: Shapes of Advanced Steels in Vehicles
OBJECTIVE: Understand the various design shapes of advanced steels in a vehicle’s structure
TASK: The rescue team shall study various shapes, forms and designs of advanced steels in vehicle structures to better understand the challenges of dealing with these ultra-high-strength steels in vehicle-rescue scenarios
As the fire service continues to learn about the challenges of advanced steels such as Boron, press-hardened, dual phase, or Martensite steel within the structure of late-model vehicles, it is important to understand that not all of these new, tough metals look alike or have the same design or shape. They are all challenging and although they perform their functions well, they definitely can challenge rescuers when cutting is required.
In this University of Extrication column, we visually explore some of the various designs, forms and shapes that automobile manufacturers are using for advanced steels. We know that these ultra-high-strength metals are concealed within the hollow areas of structural components such as A- or B-pillars. The inner portion of a roof rail, roof pillar, or anywhere along the rocker channel may also contain these hidden steel components. The tough inner metal is always surrounded by mild steel outer layers that form the finished pillar or rocker that we see when we look at the vehicle. The following images show various shapes and appearances that the advanced steels inside the hollow of the vehicle’s structure can be formed into.
TASK: The rescue team shall study various shapes, forms, and designs of advanced steels in vehicle structures to better understand the challenges of dealing with these ultra-high-strength steels in vehicle-rescue scenarios
Ron Moore
RON MOORE, who is a Firehouse contributing editor, recently retired as a division chief with the McKinney, TX, Fire Department and now serves with Prosper, TX, Fire Rescue. He self-published the Vehicle Rescue 1-2-3 training manual and serves as the forum moderator for the extrication section of Firehouse.com . Moore can be contacted directly at [email protected].
