Niocorp Developments Ltd (NB)

[douginil]

Hi

This is a follow on to my post of 29632. If you can get to the WSJ article it has more detail about how they are solving the problem.




Auto makers are rediscovering steel.

if you have a subscription to the WSJ

https://www.wsj.com/articles/steel-is-back-in-style-with-car-makers-1508065204

Wall Street Journal By Bob Tita Oct. 15, 2017 7:00 a.m. ET or Page B1 in my 10/16/17 issue.

The article reinforces the idea that high strength steel (niobium containing steel) will help lighten vehicles, this may may be more important than Sc containing aluminum.

Some comments

Quote:Varieties of lighter, stronger steel are being used in Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V Pacifica van, Honda Motor Co.’s Ridgeline pickup truck and General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Malibu sedan. Audi AG NSU, which switched to an all-aluminum body for its A8 sedan more than 20 years ago, is using steel again on the latest model.

Now, steel makers have figured out how to make steel lighter without compromising its strength or versatility. “Everything is moving to thinner and lighter,” said Mark Bula, chief commercial officer at Big River Steel. a mill that opened in Arkansas last year. “The steel industry is moving that way as well.”

By 2025, the amount of lightweight, high-strength steel in a car or light truck in North America is projected to rise to an average 483 pounds, 76% above the 2015 average, according to industry consultancy Ducker Worldwide.

“Our industry has gotten a wakeup call the last couple of years because of aluminum,” said Nucor’s Chief Executive John Ferriola. “In the battle against aluminum, steel is going to come out very well.”