Dongfeng Motor launches industry-first 2400 MPa ultra-high-strength steel component
Dongfeng Motor's R&D division has announced the successful development of the industry's first 2400 MPa ultra-high-strength steel structural component. The new material aims to enhance vehicle safety and performance.
Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor has announced a significant technological advancement, becoming the first in the industry to develop a 2400 MPa ultra-high-strength steel structural component. The company's Research and Development Institute confirmed the successful production of a prototype laser-welded, integrated door ring using this new material.
The material is characterized by its high strength, good toughness, and superior welding performance. Dongfeng Motor states that this technology has already been applied in their "Yi Jing" vehicles. The new component increases the strength of the door ring and B-pillar structure by 16.2% compared to the previous generation. This optimizes cabin rigidity and collision energy absorption by integrating it with a 1500 MPa energy-absorbing transition zone.
The material's toughness has been enhanced through various methods, including optimized alloy composition and controlled grain size. It maintains good performance even at low temperatures, with a brittle-ductile transition temperature (DBTT) below -50 degrees Celsius. Despite the challenges posed by the material's extreme strength, welding performance has been significantly improved. New welding technologies and equipment prevent cracking in the heat-affected zone and increase the shear strength of welded joints by 18%, leading to enhanced structural safety and stability.
Dongfeng Motor's innovation extends further. A recent trial successfully produced a zinc-coated, 1500+2400 MPa laser-welded hot-formed door ring. This combination offers high strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. The new ultra-high-strength steel will be initially applied to critical safety structural components in the "Mengshi" model line starting in June 2026.
Dongfeng Motor is leveraging ultra-high-strength steel to improve vehicle safety and durability. The company continues to focus on material research and development to meet the evolving demands of the automotive industry.