Floorboards lighter than steel

Röchling Automotive’s Integrated Sandwich Floor (ISF) is a lightweight proprietary sandwich structure weighing up to 50% less than traditional steel floor pans while also reducing the height of the structure by up to 50% as well. Company officials also think the new material could change the way vehicles are assembled. Today, the steel floor pan is part of the body in white. But Röchling’s new material can be attached as part of the assembly process. This would add flexibility to assembly steps; for example, the center console and seats could potentially be attached to the ISF and then inserted in the vehicle. The ISF can also incorporate aluminum profiles if necessary to add structural rigidity. Röchling thinks automakers might first use the material as a support for third-row seating, then gradually expand its use to the whole interior compartment
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