Search Results

A galvannealed steel sheet (GA) with a Ni-base inorganic lubricant film has been developed to meet the needs of the automotive industry, especially for improved press formability. This paper describes the results of tests performed to evaluate formability, spot weldability, phosphatability, paintability and corrosion resistance of the GA with the Ni-base lubricant film. The coefficient of friction as measured by flat sliding test decreases with increasing Ni content in the lubricant film. The spot weldability evaluated by electrode tip life test is slightly improved after the application of the lubricant film. Phosphatability, paintability and corrosion resistance of the GA with the lubricant film are equivalent to those of GA without the lubricant film.

For securing the safety of methanol fuels, properties of methanol fuels containing 10-20% of gasoline were studied. Controlled fleet tests were conducted on Otto-type vehicles using M85 fuel. As a result, the M85 fuel with vapor pressure adjustment has been confirmed to be sufficient as the fuel for Otto-type vehicles in Japan. The technologies for the improvement of durability of fuel injector, improvement of cold startability, and reduction of formaldehyde emission at cold start have been developed. The controlled fleet tests were also conducted on Diesel type vehicles using 5 City buses. The date relating to the fuel formulation, the emissions, and the performances, durability and reliability of the vehicles have been accumulated. Continuous measurement of formaldehyde in exhaust gas is now possible by the development of a second order derivative spectrophotometric method.