What happens if you have a car accident at 70 km/hour?
“Remember the film by Woody Allen ‘Everything you always wanted to know about Science but were afraid to ask’? Well, today you have the opportunity to do so.” This is how Greg Ludkovsky, the person who is leading a team of 1,400 ArcelorMittal scientists, welcomed a group of visitors to the Research and Development Centre of Maizières-lès-Metz, in France. And ask we did!
The Maizières R&D Centre is the largest out of the 14 centres our Group has in Europe, the US, Canada and Brazil. Here, 600 experts from 20 countries work to increase the resistance of steel to corrosion, study the quality of iron ore extracted from our mines worldwide or improve the comfort and safety of cars, while reducing their weight.
One of the most amazing experiments they do at the centre is the simulation of a car crash. Philipp, one of our colleagues in the Automotive section, showed the group of visitors how a piece of steel measuring 30 cm was distorted when a wall crashed against it at 70 km/hour. All attendees jumped at the moment of impact: even with earplugs, the noise was impressive… and it was scary to think about the effects in a real car… especially at more than 70 km/hour!
The effects of the ‘car’ crash? 1: The piece that was 30 cm became 10 cm. 2: All of us who drove a car afterwards were even more prudent than usual.
So please, if you are a driver, always drive carefully: our researchers are doing their best to develop the best grades of steel, but safety on our roads is down to all of us…
Collaboration: Sylvie Gindre, R&D Communications
3 comments
-
September 30th, 2008 by Uma
Just the thoughts that crossed my mind when I saw the crash test.
Thank you all you guys at the R & D centre helping us remain safe.I am glad I am part of this organisation! What bout you?
-
December 7th, 2010 by Slicer
I go to the University of Illinois in Chicago and was wondering if I could cite your website in my paper? We need to get pemission before we do so. It would be greatly appreciated! Thanks – Clara
-
December 8th, 2010 by Meat Slicer
Just wondering if you took any writing or editorial classes? You write so well! Maybe you should consider some payed writing pieces. Just a thought! – Kim
Add a comment
CONTENT LOCATOR
