I-CAR launched a new course Feb. 27 on best practices for repairing high- strength (HSS) and ultra high-strength steels (UHSS). I-CAR and ABRN also will present a free webcast at noon today on the same topic.

The course Best Practices for High-Strength Steel Repairs (SPS09) will provide collision industry professionals with information on proper repair procedures designed to help ensure five-star crash ratings are not compromised during the repair process.

The newly introduced course includes information on collision repair topics and procedures such as identification, properties, drilling, cutting, straightening, and pulling of the new high-strength steels. Other topics in the course include squeeze-type resistance spot welding (STRSW), GMA (MIG) welding, MIG brazing, and riveting.

“As an increased number of manufacturers build vehicles with significant amounts of HSS and UHSS, the need to understand repair methodologies becomes even more critical to safe and complete repairs. This course will impact new technicians and veterans alike.

“With HSS and UHSS evolving so quickly and becoming a mainstay in vehicle composition, this course will provide insights that are relevant to all collision repair technicians,” stated Jason Bartanen, I-CAR technical director.

Best Practices for High-Strength Steel Repairs (SPS09) fulfills New Technology training requirements for the Steel Structural Technician, Aluminum Structural Technician, Non-Structural Technician, Estimator, and Auto Physical Damage Appraiser roles within the I- CAR® Professional Development Program™. Individuals in the Steel Structural Technician role who have already fulfilled their New Technology training requirements in I-CAR ProLevel 1® may take Best Practices for High-Strength Steel Repairs (SPS09) and apply earned credit toward their I-CAR ProLevel 3® training requirements.

Registration is open and classes are continually being added. Visit the I-CAR website (homepage) to search for training in your area. To learn more about Best Practices for High-Strength Steel Repairs (SPS09) and for a glimpse into what the course will offer, register for the Best Practices for High-Strength Steel Repairs webcast that I-CAR, in conjunction with ABRN, will present free on February 28, 2012.

Registration is now open. Click here.