Steel demand analysis and supplier recommendations for new energy vehicle battery packs

1. Overview of steel demand for battery packs of new energy vehicles
With the vigorous development of the global new energy vehicle industry, the battery pack is one of the core components, and the choice of manufacturing materials directly affects the performance, safety and cost of the vehicle. Steel occupies an important position in the battery pack structure due to its excellent strength, stiffness and cost-effectiveness.

At present, the steel used in new energy vehicle battery packs is mainly used for:

Battery pack shell (upper cover and lower tray)

Battery module bracket

Structural reinforcement

Safety components such as anti-collision beams

II. Analysis of key performance requirements of battery pack steel

1. Mechanical performance requirements

High strength: usually requires tensile strength of more than 500MPa, and high-end models can reach more than 1000MPa

Good ductility: ensure effective energy absorption in collision

Excellent fatigue performance: cope with long-term vibration conditions of vehicles

2. Corrosion resistance
The working environment of the battery pack is complex and needs to have:

Excellent salt spray corrosion resistance (usually requires more than 1000 hours)

Anti-electrolyte corrosion characteristics

Rust resistance (especially in humid and rainy areas)

3. Processing performance
Good stamping formability (especially complex-shaped battery pack shells)

Excellent welding performance (involving a variety of welding processes: spot welding, laser welding, etc.)

High dimensional stability (to ensure accurate installation of battery modules)

4. Lightweight demand
High specific strength (ratio of strength to density)

Thin-wall capability (reducing material thickness while ensuring strength)

Strong material designability (weight reduction achieved with structural optimization)

III. Comparison of mainstream steel material types for battery packs
Material type Typical grade Advantages Limitations Applicable parts
High-strength steel DP590/DP780 Low cost, mature process Relatively large weight Structural parts, brackets
Ultra-high-strength steel MS1500/DP1000 High strength, good safety Difficult to form Anti-collision structure
Stainless steel 304/316L Excellent corrosion resistance High cost, heavy weight Special environment parts
Aluminum alloy 5052/6061 Good lightweight effect High cost, complex connection process High-end vehicle shell
Composite materials Carbon fiber reinforced Lightweight and high strength Extremely high cost Limited edition models
Table: Comparison of performance of commonly used materials for battery packs of new energy vehicles

IV. Technical points for selecting steel materials for battery packs
1. Select based on vehicle model positioning
Economy models: cost-oriented, mostly use DP590-DP780 series high-strength steel

Mid-to-high-end models: balance performance and cost, use DP780-DP1000 grade steel

Luxury/performance models: tend to use ultra-high-strength steel or steel-aluminum hybrid structure

2. Select based on battery type
Lithium iron phosphate battery: relatively low shell strength requirements

Ternary lithium battery: requires a higher strength protective structure

Solid-state battery (future): may put forward new requirements for materials

3. Consider production process
Stamping process: requires steel with good ductility

Hydraulic forming process: can choose higher strength materials

Welding process: needs to match the welding performance of steel

V. Recommendation of domestic high-quality battery pack steel suppliers
1. Baowu Steel Group
Core advantages: the largest steel company in China, leading in the research and development of battery pack steel
Main products: BaoSteel™ new energy series high-strength steel (BS600/800/1000)
Service capabilities: providing a full range of solutions from materials to simulation analysis
Customer cases: bulk supply to many mainstream new energy vehicle companies
2. Ansteel Group
Core advantages: leading domestic production technology for ultra-high-strength steel
Featured products: corrosion-resistant high-strength steel with coating (AG800CP)
R&D dynamics: recently launched 1.2GPa-level battery pack steel
3. Shougang Group
Innovative technology: nano-precipitation strengthening steel technology
Product features: 10%-15% weight reduction at the same strength
Supply capability: short delivery cycle in North China
4. Shagang Group
Cost advantage: extremely cost-effective battery pack steel solution
Product series: full range coverage from 340MPa to 1200MPa
Service features: support flexible procurement of small batches and multiple varieties
5. Ma Steel Group
Professional field: Thin plate high-strength steel for battery pack shell
Technical highlights: Excellent surface quality meets direct spraying requirements
Certification status: Passed material certification of multiple OEMs
Six, practical suggestions for purchasing battery pack steel
Certification standard verification: Ensure that supplier materials pass automotive industry certification such as IATF16949
Performance verification: Require third-party test reports (including mechanical properties, corrosion tests, etc.)
Supply stability: Evaluate supplier production capacity and delivery guarantee capabilities
Technical support: Give priority to suppliers who can provide application technology guidance
Cost optimization: Consider specifications with high material utilization and reduce waste of scraps
Environmental compliance: Pay attention to whether the material complies with RoHS, REA CH and other environmental protection directives

VII. Outlook on industry development trends
Material innovation direction:

Development of higher strength lightweight steel (above 1.5GPa)

Multifunctional composite steel (integrated insulation, fire protection and other functions)

Intelligent steel (with damage self-diagnosis characteristics)

Process innovation trend:

Expansion of the application of hot forming process in battery pack manufacturing

Popularization of laser welding technology

Combined application of integrated die casting and steel

Sustainable development requirements:

Low-carbon steel production process

High recycling rate material design

Life cycle assessment (LCA) becomes an important indicator for material selection

With the continuous upgrading of the new energy vehicle industry, battery pack steel will develop in the direction of higher performance, lighter weight and smarter. To choose a suitable steel supplier, it is necessary not only to consider the current product performance, but also to pay attention to the company's R&D capabilities and sustainable development strategy to cope with possible changes in material demand in the future.