Sumitomo Metals’ Hot Stamping Steel Sheet Adopted by Suzuki

Sumitomo Metal Industries’ quench-hardenable steel sheet for hot stamping “Sumiquench” is adopted to Suzuki Motor Corporation’s globally strategic compact car “Swift” which was started to sell in mid September. 1,470Mpa Sumiquench is used for bumper reinforcement. This is the thinnest steel sheet for hot stamping adopted to bumper reinforcement, which enables lighter weight and higher crash performance.

Hot stamping technology was developed in Sweden in 1980s and penetrated in Europe in 1990s. Recently Japanese automakers adopt hot stamping technology mainly for bumper, pillar and door beam in order to lighten car weight and improve crash performance.

Sumitomo Metals established commercial production system for Sumiquench to supply the product for automotive components. Sumitomo Metals cooperatively developed automotive parts with Aishin Takaoka and the products have been adopted by Daihatsu Motor, Mazda Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation.

In fiscal 2010 ending in March 2011, Sumitomo Metals plans 10% higher production of Sumiquench than 20,000 tonnes per year in fiscal 2009. The accumulative sale are expected to reach approximately 140,000 tonnes since fiscal 2001.