Lightweight boron tubular structure support integrated into seat structure

1. A support, comprising:

a hollow metallic tube having two opposing ends and a body extending over a longitudinal axis of the tube, wherein the tube has a steel composition consisting of, by weight percentage:

approximately 0.19 to 0.27% carbon;

approximately 0.0005% to 0.004% boron;

approximately 1.5% to 2.5% manganese;

less than or equal to approximately 0.35% chromium; and

a balance of iron and inevitable impurities.

2. The support of claim 1 , wherein the tube has a yield strength of 1170-1300 MPa.

3. The support of claim 1 , wherein the tube has a tensile strength greater than 1475 MPa.

4. The support of claim 1 , wherein the tube has an elongation of at least 10%.

5. The support of claim 1 , wherein the tube has a specific strength of 180-195 kN·m/kg.

6. The support of claim 1 , wherein the steel composition has a predominately martensitic microstructure.

7. The support of claim 1 , wherein the tube is integrated into a seat frame.

8. A support integrated into a seat structure of a vehicle, comprising:

a hollow metallic tube having two opposing ends and a body extending over a longitudinal axis of the tube, wherein the tube is composed of an austenitized steel material having a predominately martensite microstructure and has a composition consisting of, by weight percentage:

approximately 0.19% to 0.27% carbon;

approximately 0.0005% to 0.004% boron;

approximately 1.5% to 2.5% manganese;

less than or equal to about 0.35% chromium; and

the balance including iron and inevitable impurities.

9. The support of claim 8 , wherein the tube includes at least one curvature bending the body in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

10. The support of claim 8 , wherein the tube includes a yield strength of 1170-1300 MPa.

11. The support of claim 8 , wherein the tube includes a tensile strength greater than 1475 MPa.

12. The support of claim 8 , wherein the tube includes an elongation of at least 10%.

13. The support of claim 8 , wherein the tube has a specific strength of 180-195 kN·m/kg.

14. A process for producing a tubular support for a vehicle seat, comprising:

providing a steel composition consisting of, by weight percentage, elements in the following concentrations:

approximately 0.19% to 0.27% carbon,

approximately 0.0005% to 0.004% boron,

approximately 1.5% to 2.5% manganese,

less than or equal to about 0.35% chromium, the balance including iron and inevitable impurities;

heating the steel composition to an austenitizing temperature for a predetermined duration to austenitize the steel composition; and

cooling the austenitized steel composition at a predefined cooling rate to transform the austenitic steel composition to a martensite microstructure, wherein the predefined cooling rate is greater than 27 K/s.

15. The process of claim 14 , wherein the predefined cooling rate is about 100 K/s or greater.

16. The process of claim 14 , wherein the austenitizing temperature ranges from 850 to 970° C.

17. The process of claim 14 , wherein the predetermined duration ranges from 10 to 18 seconds.

18. The process of claim 14 , further comprising tempering the steel composition at a predetermined tempering temperature for a predetermined tempering duration, wherein the predetermined tempering temperature ranges from 220 to 400° C.

19. The process of claim 14 , wherein the steel composition includes at least one of the following:

a yield strength of 1170-1300 MPa;

a tensile strength greater than 1475 MPa;

an elongation of at least 10%; and

a specific strength of 180-195 kN·m/kg.

20. The process of claim 14 , wherein the steel composition has a critical cooling rate of 27 K/s.