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Overcoming Extrication Challenges with Boron and UHSS Guide

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Firefighters are always looking for information to improve their skill set. The long over due Overcoming Extrication Challenges with Boron and UHSS Guide is Here! It is a working draft. I will be adding user submitted techniques and revising the guide often. Only the latest guide will be available to download. Right now the guide is available from Google apps and I will also make a PowerPoint and PDF for you as well.

Overcoming Extrication Challenges with Boron and UHSS Guide


Written by firefighters for firefighters. Please feel free to contact me at ffsmitty900@gmail.com with any suggestions or comments.

Advanced Steel Usage in 2008 Chrysler Minivan Body

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Here is the Advanced Steel Usage in 2008 + Chrysler Minivan Body. This platform includes the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.

GM Uses Martensitic Steel (UHSS)

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First off, Martensitic is a Ultra-high Strength Steel (UHSS). I will throw a little automotive talk into my update today. Many automakers use the same platform to built different model for each of their different brands. General Motors has a platform that is used throughout all of their brands called the Lambda platform. The Lambda platform is used on the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and the Cadillac SRX. General Motors uses Martensitic steel in the outer rocker panel and vehicle underbody on the Lambda body structure. Look at the image below and the yellow parts are Martensitic steel.

After some checking around, I found that the reinforcement for the B-pillar is made from DP 980 which, like Martensitic, is a UHSS. The reinforcement is welded to another reinforcement made from HSLA. If you have to cut the B-pillar of a Buick Enclave or other platform model be prepared for multiple layers of UHSS reinforcements.