LOUISVILLE, KY. Grede Holdings is developing chassis, powertrain and drivetrain components using a new lightweight, low-cost ductile iron alloy called SiboDur.
Grede is showing the new castings this week at the Mid-America Trucking Show.
According to Grede, SiboDur is an ultra-high-strength ductile iron with a unique chemistry and process that offers a lightweight, cost-competitive solution. As a result, parts made from the innovative alloy compete favorably with aluminum in terms of weight reduction, and offer exceptional value in durability, performance, as well as integration for complexity reduction, the company added.
“SiboDur enables us to provide our heavy-duty truck customers with cost-effective lightweight solutions, while maintaining high structural performance and durability,” said Jeff Nichols, director of business development. “It also enables excellent product design optimization capabilities given the higher mechanical properties versus competing materials that are cost inhibitive.”
Five different SiboDur alloys are available, each offering select chemistries that can improve fatigue strength and functional design optimizations to match the requirements of specific applications.
Truckmakers are using, developing and testing SiboDur in a variety of components for current and future vehicle programs, including safety-critical parts with high stress and torque requirements such as steering knuckles, axles, control arms, hubs, brake rotors, engine mounts, crankshafts and suspension links, Grede said.
SiboDur was developed by Swiss-based Georg Fischer Automotive AG. Grede has an exclusive license to use the alloy in North America.
“We’re very excited about the benefits we can offer our customers,” Nichols said. “SiboDur is a highly competitive alternative to aluminum with significant cost and design advantages.”
