MULTIPLE MATERIAL BUMPER BEAM

摘要

A bumper beam includes a first portion of a first material and a second portion of a second material. The first material has different material properties than the second material. For example, the first material may have a generally higher tensile or yield strength than the second material. In one embodiment, the first materi al comprises martensitic steel, while the second material comprises a dual-phas e, multiphase, complex-phase or TRIP steel. In addition, the first material may have a different thickness than the second material. The bumper beam provides an improved strength to weight ratio than conventional bumper beams. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of th e claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).