Optimizing Forgings for Automotive Transmission Hubs by Warm Forming Vanadium-Microalloyed Steels

An experimental study of two warm and hot forged 0.30% carbon ferrite/pearlite microalloyed steels demonstrates that the optimal combination of strength and toughness is achieved in a warm forged, fan cooled condition. The properties of the warm forged microalloyed steel approached the combination of strength and toughness achieved in a heat treated 1037 steel, tested at an equivalent hardness level of 20 to 28 HRC. These warm forged microalloyed steels were successfully substituted for heat treated 1037/1040 steels in two automotive transmission hub applications. The benefits of implementing the warm forged microalloyed steel hubs include the elimination of the heat treatment, and the associated costs and problems.