Effect of technological parameters on microstructure and accuracy of B1500HS steel parts in the hot blanking

Abstract

Hot blanking process could be used for producing diverse fine blanking parts with comprehensive mechanical properties and to solve the problems in the piercing and trimming of press-hardened parts. To explore the optimal hot blanking process and evaluate the effects of some technological parameters on the phase transformation, fracture quality, and dimensional accuracy of the parts, several different blanking temperatures (450–800 °C) and die clearances (8–25%) were used in the hot blanking of B1500HS steel. The experimental results show that as the blanking temperature increases at a certain die clearance, the dimensional accuracy shows a trend of “negative growth–positive growth–negative growth,” and a higher dimensional accuracy of blanked parts can be attained at blanking temperatures 450–500, 600–650, or 750–800 °C. Besides, the burnish zone width increases, and the burnish and rollover zone widths account for ~ 80% of the steel sheet thickness at 800 °C. At blanking temperatures 650–800 °C, the microstructure of blanked parts is completely martensite, the microhardness of parts is ~ 550 HV, and the perpendicularity of fracture increases as the blanking temperature increases. Parts with a high-dimensional accuracy, better fracture perpendicularity, wide burnish zone, better mechanical properties, and wear resistance can be obtained at blanking temperatures 750–800 °C.