Effect of tool temperature and dwell time in the tool for press hardening on the mechanical properties of modern high-strength steel with 3% Mn

Abstract

The production of sheet safety parts for car bodies is currently carried out using press hardening technology. This technology enables the creation of complex-shaped profiles even from high-strength steels without a significant spring-back effect. In combination with modern high-strength steels, which have retained austenite in their structure, it is possible to achieve high ultimate strength and ductility values. As a result, these parts are used in bodywork areas with high energy absorption requirements during impact. To achieve the required mechanical properties, suitable processing parameters must be selected. High-strength steel with 0.2%C, 3%Mn and 2%Al was used for the experiment. Press-hardening was carried out in a tool fixed in a hydraulic press and can be heated up to temperatures around 450 °C. Different tool temperatures of room temperature and 425 °C were tested and different holding times in the tool from 1 s to 600 s. After hardening in a tool at RT, the ultimate strength of about 1400 MPa with a ductility of 18 % was obtained. But quenching and holding in the preheated tool caused the ductility to increase to 28% with a drop in ultimate strength to 1050 MPa.