Material datasheet VDA 239 – 100: standardization of numerous automotive works standards

In recent years, numerous automotive manufacturers have continued to build new production facilities all over the world and successfully put them into operation. This involves the use of global platform strategies. Automotive manufactures faced the challenge of material standards that differed from one continent to the next. Material standards generally specify technological properties, chemical composition and surface quality.

In the past few years, in order to harmonize standards within their own production facilities all over the world, nearly every automotive manufacturer has issued its own global works standards. However, the increasing number of works standards is presenting a considerable challenge for steel manufacturers. Not only do they have to comply with national and international standards (in Europe, DIN EN), but they also have to meet the different requirements of automotive manufacturers. As these are not necessarily concordant, meeting the various product requirements involves a substantial amount of work.

The “material datasheet VDA 239– 100”, published in August 2011 and available from the VDA, should provide some assistance. It is aimed at reducing the complexity and diversity of numerous national, regional and works’ standards, as well as the number of differing bilateral agreements.

The material datasheet was developed by an extended workgroup of the VDEh (German Iron and Steel Institute), which also included employees of Salzgitter Flachstahl, together with representatives of the VDA (German Association of the Automotive Industry). Salzgitter Flachstahl is currently implementing the new standard. One of the enormous challenges this presents is changing the test direction for higher strength steels from across to along the direction of rolling, as well as harmonizing the technological parameters, regardless of surface finish (cold-rolled sheet, electrolytically or hot-dip coated cold-rolled sheet).

The material datasheet “VDA 239– 100” is available from the VDA website (www.vda.de). Technical Customer Services at Salzgitter Flachstahl will be happy to answer any questions.