Kobe Steel develops composite material of aluminum, iron

Japan’s Kobe Steel Ltd. has developed a composite material of aluminum and iron for automotive use which is half as light as iron alone and costs significantly less than pricey aluminum. The company expects the composite material to help carmakers reduce production costs through its use in parts, such as roofs and doors. When use of the new material becomes widespread, the steelmaker predicts that the ratio will increase to 10% in small cars and 15% in electric vehicles. The firm aims to commercialize the material within five years. (October 15, 2009)