A stainless steel fuel tank developed by Outokumpu has received the New Applications Award by ISSF (International Stainless Steel Forum) in the Best New Development Award category. The award was given during the ISSF Annual Conference in Hong Kong, China.
Outokumpu and the Swedish fuel system company TechROi Fuel Systems (TFS) developed a new innovative stainless steel fuel tank. Stainless steel properties make the tank a competitive alternative for plastic tanks. Use of Outokumpu HyTens® steel grade allowed extremely thin walls and tailored strength, making the tank circa three kilograms lighter than the conventional fuel tank made of plastic, thus reducing the overall vehicle weight and making the car less fuel consuming and consequently mitigating emissions.
According to the ISSF, the winning concept provides a combination of good design, appropriate material selection, engineering expertise and sufficient delivery reliability. The stainless steel fuel tank is superior in terms of crashworthiness and does not need surface treatment or maintenance.
Said Outokumpu CEO Mika Seitovirta: “We are very pleased with the ISSF’s recognition of this innovation, which showcases the potential that stainless steel and customer focused innovation have in meeting the demands of car industry. As a versatile, long-lasting and 100% recyclable material, stainless steel offers great opportunities for a number of industries to create a more sustainable future.”