Federal government mandates and 7 year warranty requirements
-- WARDS AUTO WORLD
Stamping Stainless Steel for Flanges is a Problem
According to Joseph A. Douthett of Armco R&D Center......
Must hold thickness to 9.5mm
Cost and coefficient of expansion concerns
Cracking can occur if too thick
-- Automotive Engineering
Stainless Flanges are Not Just for Luxury Cars
Ford Contour
Mercury Mystique
Corvette
Taurus
GM Pick Up Truck
Ford Explorer
Ford Exhaust Flange is 1997 P/M Part of the Year
Manifold flange connects the manifold to the exhaust pipe leading to the catalytic converter
Three level "TULIP" shape P/M part
Replaced 2 piece stamped and welded assembly
Dramatic exhaust leakage reduction
Density Requirements for Exhaust Flanges
Must achieve 7.2 To 7.3 G/CC
Strength
Ductility
Weldability
Oxidation resistance
Corrosion resistance
P/M Flange Property Requirements
Hot bending yield strength
Gas sealing suality
Hot oxidation resistance
Saline corrosion resistance
Good weldability
Stainless P/M Benefits for Flange Performance
Stainless P/M materials have comparable performance to wrought in the temperature regime of the exhaust system to the rear of the catalyst. Cost benefits offered by the P/M flanges over fine blanking are as much as 50%
-- Per Pam Lee, Ford Motor Company
Conclusion
As more property data on stainless P/M and becomes available, already confident auto engineers will increase stainless P/M and design activity resulting in dramatic increase in auto and non-auto related part business for stainless oriented P/M and parts producers.
