Properties of Formable High Strength Sheet Steels for Automotive Use

Metallurgical factors affecting the press formability of the newly developed high strength sheet steels have been discussed. Dual phase steels, CHLY(cold-rolled sheet steel) and HTP-D(as-hot-rolled sheet steel), produced by control of cooling conditions after intercritical annealing or hot-rolling exhibit very low yield to tensile strength ratio and high n-value. Rephosphorized extra-low carbon steel, CHRX, produced by continuous annealing with rapid cooling is characterized by its extremely high r-value and low yield strength. CHLY, HTP-D and CHRX have large bake hardenability. Precipitation hardened steel, HTP-F(hot-rolled sheel steel), produced by adjusting carbon equivalent and sulfur content is suitable for manufacturing wheel rims owing to its good formability after flash butt welding.