The production and practice of cold-rolled steel sheets for automobile

Shougang Group has carried out a strategic structure adjustment in order to realize the promise of Chinese people to the Olympic Games.Automotive sheets are chosen as a type of strategic product and an engine to upgrade enterprise management,technology and operation to reach the top international level during the transition from long products to steel sheets in Shougang Group.Since 2006,Shougang Group has made an elaborate preparation on steel sheet culture,production line construction,technology import,pilot plant and talent reserve.It lays the foundation for the development of automotive sheets.The developing history of cold rolled automotive sheets is reviewed and the research and development of cold rolled automotive sheets, tackling key problem of defect on surface and the latest progress of automotive sheets construction are described in this paper.The main contents were given as follows:①The products of automotive sheets realize zero breakthrough in Shougang Group.Monthly output was 300 ton in January,2009 and it increased to 48 000 ton in June,2010.The ratio of IF steel sheets increases to 70%from 40%.The proportion of outside panel in automotive sheets occupys more than 15%.②A high emulational pilot plant is used as a product developing platform to develop successfully automotive sheets with 1 000 MPa and below.It guarantees that the industrial development of DP and TRIP sheets gets success at a time.It covers continuous annealing sheets with tensile strength≤780 MPa and galvanizing sheets with tensile strength≤590 MPa.③Individual design is used to meet special requirement of customer.Shougang owns 23 inner brands of LCAK and IF steels.It insures that the grades of yield strength cover whole range from 120 to 270 MPa.It keeps the stabilization of steel performance by means of chemical composition control and high accuracy rolling technology.For example,the strength of soft steel fluctuates within±15 MPa.④The steel sheets with surface grade O5 are produced steadily by solving forming striation of IF steel,grain coarse on surface,edge curling skin and mountains - and - waters painting defects.⑤The safeguard mechanism on quality of products is improved steadily and the output of automotive sheets and outside panel increases greatly by building consistency quality management system、information - system and customer service system.

Effect of annealing parameters on mechanical properties of cold-rolled martensitic steel sheets

Cold-rolled martensitic steel sheets produced on continuous annealing lines with water quenching facility,have advantages of high strength and low alloying element contents.These are in good accordance with the trend of light-weighting and fuel saving for automotive steel.In this article,a cold-rolled martensitic steel is studied to investigate the effect of annealing parameters on its mechanical properties.It is found that the quenching temperature and the slow cooling speed as well as the overageing temperature have significant influence on the strength of the experimental steel.The temperature zone at which the austenite decomposition is slow or has not started may be chosen as the quenching temperature to ensure the steel’s strength stability.The slow cooling speed also influences the steel’s strength greatly.A high cooling rate will lead to significantly higher strength.Tempering would decrease the steel’s tensile strength but would increase its yield strength.

A Physical Core-Loss Model for Laminated Magnetic Sheet Steels

A full-frequency instant core-loss equation built from the induction physical model of magnetic materials, where the iron loss, eddy loss, and hysteresis loss no longer have an integral term, and this new equation provides high simulation accuracy and performs dynamic core loss analysis on non-sinusoidal or pulse magnetic fields. The simulation examples use a high-grade electrical steel sheet 65CS400 by Epstein experimental data covering magnetic field 0.1 - 1.8 T and frequency 50 - 5000 Hz, and the average error of the simulated core loss is less than 4%. Since the simulation is converged by magnetic physical parameters, so the physical relevance of the similar laminated materials can be compared with the coefficient results. .

Effect of low-temperature tempering on the mechanical properties of cold-rolled martensitic steel

Cold-rolled martensitic steel is an important type of advanced high-strength steel for automobile production.With martensite as its primary microstructure constituent, martensitic steel possesses exceptional high strength despite its low alloy content.As the strength of cold-rolled martensitic steel increases, the martensite and carbon content also increases, leading to a decrease in bending properties and toughness.In this paper, the effect of various tempering parameters on the bending property and impact toughness of a quenched cold-rolled martensitic steel sheet was studied.It is found that after quenching, the ductility and impact toughness of the experimental steel are improved using low-temperature heat treatment.The optimal tempering conditions for ductility and toughness are analyzed.

Effect of water quenching processing parameters on the mechanical properties of a cold-rolled C-Mn-containing steel sheet

Cold-rolled advanced high-strength steel sheets have become the material of choice for the automotive industry because of their unique attributes of high strength and balanced mechanical properties.High-hydrogen gas jet cooling and water quenching are the most commonly used ultrafast cooling technologies for producing martensite-containing high-strength steel sheets.The water quenching technology ensures the fastest industrial cooling rate of 1 000 K/s;therefore,it has the highest potential with respect to saving alloys.In this study,the water quenching of a C-Mn-containing steel sheet is simulated during continuous annealing to investigate the effect of water quenching and tempering parameters on its mechanical properties.The results reveal that at low quenching temperatures,the strength of the steel sheet decreases as the soaking temperature increases.However,at high quenching temperatures,a high soaking temperature corresponds to increased strength after quenching,regardless of whether the material was austenitized in the single austenite zone or the inter-critical zone.Therefore,a high quenching temperature always results in a high strength and a high yield ratio after quenching.Low-temperature overaging(tempering) considerably influences the yield strength and yield ratio,and the extent of this influence is correlated with the soaking temperature.

Microstructure and texture evolution of cold-rolled deep-drawing steel sheet during annealing

In accordance with experimental results about the annealing microstructure and texture of cold-rolled deep- drawing sheet based on the compact strip production （CSP） process, a two-dimensional cellular automation simulation model, considering real space and time scale, was established to simulate recrystallization and grain growth during the actual batch annealing process. The simulation results show that pancaked grains form during recrystallization. （111} advantageous texture components become the main parts of the recrystallization texture. After grain growth, the pancaked grains coarsen gradually. The content of （111} advantageous texture components in the annealing texture increases from 55vo1% to 65vo1%; meanwhile, the contents of {112}〈110〉 and {100}〈110〉 texture components decrease by 4% and 8%, respectively, compared with the recrystallization texture. The simulation results of microstructure and texture evolution are also consistent with the experimental ones, proving the accuracy and usefulness of the model.

Study on the bendability and toughness of a 1 500 MPa cold-rolled martensitic sheet steel

Cold rolled martensitic sheet steels are achieving more and more applications in car-making because of their ultra-high strength and potential for weight reduction. The relatively low plasticity of ultra-high strength martensitic steels might be a drawback for the applications in the aspects of forming and safety protection function and should be significantly noted. A 1 500 MPa grade cold rolled martensitic sheet steel has been studied to investigate the bendability at 90 degree bending and impact toughness as well as fracture surface morphology at various temperatures. Some discussions have been made basing upon the experiment data to get some understanding on the performance of the materials under various conditions and on how to make use of this kind of ultra high strength steel properly.

Development and application of Baosteel's cold-rolled martensitic steel sheets

Cold-rolled martensitic steel sheets are becoming widely applied in the automotive industry because of their ultra-high strength,which may result in satisfactory weight reduction. The grades of martensitic steel sheets are classified based on their tensile strength,which ranges from 980 to 1 700 MPa. The main applications include a series of structural parts of uniform cross-section or simple shape,such as bumper beams,door beams and door sills,etc. The study and development of cold-rolled martensitic steel sheets date back to 2007 in Baosteel,and some grades became commercially available in 2009. By 2015,Baosteel had commercially supplied thousands of tons of these steel sheets with tensile strength up to 1 400 MPa. Currently,1 500 MPa martensitic steel sheet is commercially available and 1 700 MPa martensitic steel sheet has been successfully produced. The process technology and application guides of Basoteel ＇s cold-rolled martensitic steels are summarized and analyzed in order to assist ongoing research and ensure correct applications of these ultra-high strength steel sheets.

Properties of ultra-low carbon,cold-rolled sheet steels containing titanium or boron for use in enameling

Ultra-low carbon（ULC）,cold-rolled sheet steels for porcelain enameling containing alloys of titanium and boron are studied. The microstructure,mechanical properties,inclusions,and precipitates of the sheet steels are analyzed. The hydrogen permeation time of the sheet steels as-annealed and after skin-passed or cold-rolled at different reductions are measured. It is show n that the sheet steels possess different features of enameling properties in hydrogen permeability,fishscale resistance,and pinhole resistance.

Research and application on the automatic measuring device for testing transverse thickness difference of cold-rolling steel sheet

Many advanced technologies have been applied in developing the automatic measuring device for testing transverse thickness difference of cold-rolling steel sheet,such as the technologies of automatic control,sensor measurement,marking identification,photographic location,computer application and information transmission.This measuring device can measure the transverse thickness difference of the steel plate accurately and quickly,with a high detection level of automation.It is an effective detection equipment for transverse thickness control of steel plate.Horizontal width of steel plate measuring 0.8-1.4 m, horizontal measurement point positioning accuracy±0.02 mm,thickness range 0.2-2.0 mm, measurement accuracy within±1μm.

Fatigue Response of Cold-Rolled Type-304 Stainless Steel Foil

This study presents the fatigue response of 304 stainless steel foil, cold-rolled to a thickness of 3.2 μm with 87 percent cold work at orientations of 0, 45, and 90 degrees to the direction of rolling. Fatigue specimens were fabricated by laminating a supportive layer of 20-μm polyimide film to one side of the foil and patterning 242 crack initiation features by photolithographic process. Progression of fatigue damage was determined through electrical resistance measurement. The fatigue response was demonstrated to be largely affected by anisotropy existing between the rolling direction and the off-axis orientations. Fatigue cracks that traveled in a direction parallel to the elongated grains (cyclic loads applied at 90-degree orientation to foil rolling direction) had the most fatigue response (undesirable characteristic). The construction of the specimens with thin foil supported by a film backing contributed to high fatigue threshold.

Effect of Hot Processing Technology on Mechanical Properties and Structure of Interface of Ti/Steel Composite Sheet

研究了热加工工艺对钛-钢复合板界面力学性能和显微组织的影响。测试了在A，B，C，D4种温度下热轧复合板界面的力学性能，用金相显微镜及扫描电镜观察了界面显微组织并分析了界面的成分。结果表明，在A，B2种温度下轧制的钛-钢复合板界面机械性能良好，延伸率高，其剪切强度不但可保持坯料原有的水平，甚至还略有增加。在C，D2种温度下轧制的钛-钢复合板界面机械性能相对较低，延伸率较高，但剪切强度要比爆炸复合坯料低，尤其是D加热温度，轧制后界面剪切强度急剧下降。热轧的终轧温度也是影响钛-钢复合板界面结合性能的重要因素。在低于相转变温度的合适温区热轧，且终轧温度合适，获得的钛-钢复合板结合界面无爆炸波纹，没有污染，生产的脆性化合物极细小，组织类同于钛材完全退火的等轴组织。

Effects of External Electric Field on AlN Precipitation and Recrystallization Texture of Deep-drawing 08Al Killed Steel Sheet

The effects of an electric field on AIN precipitation and recrystallization texture were investigated. Cold-rolled 08Al killed steel sheets were annealed at 550℃ according to the two-step processes, for various maintaining times, with and without applying an electric field. It was found that the electric field promotes the precipitation of the second phase （AlN particles）, strengthens the γ-fiber and weakens the α-fiber texture component in the recrystallized specimens. A possible explanation for the reinforcement of γ-fiber texture by the electric field is that the second phase AIN particle promotes the growth of γ-fiber at the expense of differently oriented grains.

Investigation of Surface Damage in Forming of High Strength and Galvanized Steel Sheets

Powdering/exfoliating of coatings and scratching galvanized steels and high strength steels （HSS）, are the main forms of surface damage in the forming of which result in increased die maintenance cost and scrap rate. In this study, a special rectangular box was developed to investigate the behavior and characteristics of surface damage in sheet metal forming （SMF） processes. U-channel forming tests were conducted to study the effect of tool hardness on surface damage in the forming of high strength steels and galvanized steels （hot-dip galvanized and galvannealed steels）. Experimental results indicate that sheet deformation mode influences the severity of surface damage in SMF and surface damage occurs easily at the regions where sheet specimen deforms under the action of compressive stress. Die corner is the position where surface damage initiates. For HSS sheet, surface damage is of major interest due to high forming pressure. The HSS and hot-dip galvanized steels show improved ability of damage-resistance with increased hardness of the forming tool. However, for galvannealed steel it is not the forming tool with the highest hardness value that performs best.

Analysis of edge microstructural characteristics and stamping formability of low carbon pickled steel sheets

The microstructural characteristics and formability at the edges of low carbon pickled steel sheets have been investigated based on the generation of earing and cracking defects while drawing. The microstructure of the edge features coarse grains and mixed sized grains. The strength of the sheet edge is slightly lower than that at the center. Besides, the formability is obviously worsened. The plastic strain ratios along the longitudinal and transverse orientations are 0.31 and 0.6, respectively, with distinct anisotropy. The plastic strain ratio at the edge is obviously lower than that at the middle of the steel sheet. The observed microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties at the edge of the steel sheet can be attributed to the lower rolling temperature in the two-phase region of pro-eutectoid ferrite and austenite. These differences in microstructure and mechanical properties at the edge of the steel sheet lead to the generation of earing and cracking defects while drawing. The microstructure and mechanical properties at the edge of low carbon pickled steel sheets can be improved via the optimization of the rolling process and the adjustment of chemical composition.

Effect of Variable Blank Holder Force on Rectangular Box Drawing Process of Hot-galvanized Sheet Steel

At first, a series of finite element method （FEM） simulation tests were used to find the critical forming conditions of hot-galvanized sheet steel during the rectangular box drawing processing when constant blank holder forces were applied. According the test results, the reasonable alteration scope of initial variable blank holder force （VBHF） was as 1.9-2.3 T. Then, based on the test productions of blank holder force, 12 typical VBHF curves were applied to perform the simulation tests by the simulation software of DYNAFORM. The simulation test results showed that VBHF had great effects on drawing formability of hot-galvanized sheet steel during the rectangular box drawing. However, the different VBHF curves were applied to control the whole drawing and it would get great different effects. At the same tine, the VBHF had great effects on the maximum thick thinning ratio, but had little effect on the maximum thick incrassation ratio. So, reasonable application of the VBHF would greatly decrease the fractures. When the VBHF profile is taken as curve L, the best effect of drawing formability could be obtained. When curve I is used, contrary effect could be gotten. The other types of curves would cause effects between above two types of VBHF curves. Finally, the actual tests were applied to check the validity of the FEM simulation tests. The results show that the FEM simulation tests are good ways for predicting and optimizing the VBHF.

Experimental Investigation of the Effect of the Material Damage Induced in Sheet Metal Forming Process on the Service Performance of 22MnB5 Steel

The use of ultra-high strength steels through sheet metal forming process offers a practical solution to the lightweight design of vehicles.However,sheet metal forming process not only produces desirable changes in material properties but also causes material damage that may adversely influence the service performance of the material formed.Thus,an investigation is conducted to experimentally quantify such influence for a commonly used steel（the 22MnB5 steel） based on the hot and cold forming processes.For each process,a number of samples are used to conduct a uniaxial tensile test to simulate the forming process.After that,some of the samples are trimmed into a standard shape and then uniaxially extended until fracture to simulate the service stage.Finally,a microstructure test is conducted to analyze the microdefects of the remaining samples.Based on the results of the first two tests,the effect of material damage on the service performance of 22MnB5 steel is analyzed.It is found that the material damages of both the hot and cold forming processes cause reductions in the service performance,such as the failure strain,the ultimate stress,the capacity of energy absorption and the ratio of residual strain.The reductions are generally lower and non-linear in the former process but higher and linear in the latter process.Additionally,it is found from the microstructure analysis that the difference in the reductions of the service performance of 22MnB5 by the two forming processes is driven by the difference in the micro damage mechanisms of the two processes.The findings of this research provide a useful reference in terms of the selection of sheet metal forming processes and the determination of forming parameters for 22MnB5.

Formation mechanism and control of aluminum layer thickness fluctuation in embedded aluminum-steel composite sheet produced by cold roll bonding process

The influences of rolling reduction and aluminum sheet initial thickness(AIT)on the thickness fluctuation of aluminum layer(TFA)of embedded aluminum?steel composite sheet produced by cold roll bonding were investigated,the formation mechanism of TFA was analyzed and method to improve the thickness uniformity of the aluminum layer was proposed.The results showed that when the reduction increased,TFA increased gradually.When the reduction was lower than40%,AIT had negligible effect on the TFA,while TFA increased with the decrease of AIT when the reduction was higher than40%.The non-uniformities of the steel surface deformation and the interfacial bonding extent caused by the work-hardened steel surface layer,were the main reasons for the formation of TFA.Adopting an appropriate surface treatment can help to decrease the hardening extent of the steel surface for improving the deformation uniformity during cold roll bonding process,which effectively improved the aluminum thickness uniformity of the embedded aluminum/steel composite sheets.

Laser brazing with filler wire for galvanized steel sheets

The process properties and interface behavior of CO_2 laser brazing with automatic wire feed for galvanized steel sheets were investigated, in which the brazing filler metal was CuSi3 and no flux was used. As to the appearance quality of the brazing seams, the roles of the processing parameters, such as brazing speed, wire feeding rate, inclination and feeding direction of the wire, laser power, spot diameter and heating position, were assessed. The further investigation indicates that the behavior of the active elements Si, Mn and Zn are significantly influenced by energy input. At the interface, the microstructure of the base metal was composed of columnar crystals and the acicular α solid solution was found on the filler metal side.

FEM Simulation of Bending Formability for Laminate Steel/Resin/Steel Lightweight Composite Sheet

The ANSYS simulation software was used to analyze the bending formability of laminate steel/resin/steel lightweight composite sheet. The skin steel at external side produces relative slipping-off change during the bending due to its composite structure. The internal stress strain states, materials effect tools parameters and intermediate layer resin of lightweight sheet on slipping-off change were analyzed. The spring back and shear stress state after bending have also been discussed.