For modern automotive steels, the strength, ductility, and formability start at the atomic level. In his latest AHSS Insights blog and companion video, Danny Schaeffler PhD, President of Engineering Quality Solutions and Technical Editor for the Advanced High-Strength Steel Application Guidelines, takes viewers inside the fascinating world of steel microstructures. He explains how atomic arrangements—known as lattices—transform during cooling to form ferrite, pearlite, and martensite, each playing a unique role in shaping the performance and manufacturability of vehicle components.
From ferrite’s softness to martensite’s exceptional strength, Danny’s clear, visual explanation shows how the precise balance of phases enables today’s high-performance, lightweight vehicle designs. These insights lay the foundation for understanding how engineers continue to push steel’s capabilities in crash performance, sustainability, and design flexibility. Watch the video and read the full article on ahssinsights.org