JFE Steel Increases Sales of High-Function Tube for Automobile

JFE Steel announced on Wednesday the quenching steel tube for torsion beam is used for Toyota’s new Estima, which was launched in January, after Toyota uses the tube for rear suspension axle beam of new Vitz marketed in February 2005. JFE Steel improves the products mix of steel pipe business by expanding the strategic automobile steel tube along with energy items including oil well tube and line pipe. The firm increased the production of quenching steel tube for torsion beam with 1,200 mega pascal per millimeter of strength with the additional order from the major automaker. The firm expands the products line of high-functional steel tube including electric resistance welded pipe with 780 MPa of strength and tube with high speed tube welding and optimum reducing technology or HISTORY, which Toyota use more. The quenching steel tube for torsion beam with better formability and the functions contributes to lighter weight and higher strength of auto-parts. The product has both higher fatigue strength and formability along with hardenability and delayed fracture resistance property. Toyota started to use the high performance tube for new Vitz in February 2005. Toyota produces monthly 60,000 units of Vitz and 26,000 units of Estima. JFE Steel already shipped sample of the high performance tube for other automakers expecting further order.