Abstract: A sheet-shaped blank (10) for press forming is produced by shearing a metal sheet (30). The blank (10) includes a sheared edge (14), which includes a sheared surface (14b) and a fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction and has a loop shape in plan view. In plan view, an edge of the sheared edge (14) includes concavely curved portions (20). The average of lengths of the fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction in the curved portions (20) is greater than the average of lengths of the fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction over the entire perimeter of the sheared edge (14).

Abstract: In a method for producing an outer panel having a character line, a punch includes a projecting portion for forming a bent surface of the character line at a punch top portion, and a punch shoulder R portion. A contact pressure applied to a blank by at least one of the projecting portion and the punch shoulder R portion is higher than a contact pressure applied to the blank by a remaining portion of the punch which excludes the projecting portion and the punch shoulder R portion. A static friction coefficient of a first portion of the punch which includes at least one of the projecting portion and the punch shoulder R portion with respect to the blank is larger than a static friction coefficient of a second portion of the punch which excludes the first portion with respect to the blank.

Abstract: In a method for producing an outer panel having a character line, a punch includes a projecting portion for forming a bent surface of the character line at a punch top portion, and a punch shoulder R portion. A contact pressure applied to a blank by at least one of the projecting portion and the punch shoulder R portion is higher than a contact pressure applied to the blank by a remaining portion of the punch which excludes the projecting portion and the punch shoulder R portion. A static friction coefficient of a first portion of the punch which includes at least one of the projecting portion and the punch shoulder R portion with respect to the blank is larger than a static friction coefficient of a second portion of the punch which excludes the first portion with respect to the blank.

Abstract: A sheet-shaped blank (10) for press forming is produced by shearing a metal sheet (30). The blank (10) includes a sheared edge (14), which includes a sheared surface (14b) and a fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction and has a loop shape in plan view. In plan view, an edge of the sheared edge (14) includes concavely curved portions (20). The average of lengths of the fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction in the curved portions (20) is greater than the average of lengths of the fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction over the entire perimeter of the sheared edge (14).

Abstract: A sheet-shaped blank (10) for press forming is produced by shearing a metal sheet (30). The blank (10) includes a sheared edge (14), which includes a sheared surface (14b) and a fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction and has a loop shape in plan view. In plan view, an edge of the sheared edge (14) includes concavely curved portions (20). The average of lengths of the fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction in the curved portions (20) is greater than the average of lengths of the fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction over the entire perimeter of the sheared edge (14).

Abstract: A sheet-shaped blank (10) for press forming is produced by shearing a metal sheet (30). The blank (10) includes a sheared edge (14), which includes a sheared surface (14b) and a fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction and has a loop shape in plan view. In plan view, an edge of the sheared edge (14) includes concavely curved portions (20). The average of lengths of the fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction in the curved portions (20) is greater than the average of lengths of the fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction over the entire perimeter of the sheared edge (14).

Abstract: A cermet sintered body excellent in wear resistance, oxidation resistance and toughness, which is suitable for cutting tools. The cermet sintered body includes: a hard dispersion phase in an amount of from 70 to 95 wt. %, which contains TiC and/or Ti(C, N) and carbides (excluding TiC) and/or nitrides of one or more kinds selected from a group consisting of elements in IVa, Va, and VIa groups of the periodic system, and a binder phase in an amount of from 5 to 30 wt. %, which contains one kind or two or more kinds of iron family elements. Moreover, the average particle size of a raw powder of TiC and/or Ti(C, N) is in the range of 1.0 .mu.m or less, and TiC and/or Ti(C, N) are directly dissolved in a solid state in the carbides (excluding TiC) and/or nitrides during sintering, to form a hard dispersion phase. The hard dispersion phase thus obtained mainly contains solid-solutions without any structure having a core, and which has a uniform distribution of composition.

Abstract: A method for rapidly determining a sulfur level in materials, particularly molten metals or gases, the method comprising contacting a reference electrode made of a specific type of a metal and metal sulfide mixture with a sulfur-containing molten metal or gas serving also as a counter electrode through a sulfide solid electrolyte thereby measuring an electromotive force established between the electrodes. The working temperature of the molten metal or gas is also measured. These parameters measured are used to calculate a sulfur content based on a certain equation. The probe for carrying out the above method is also disclosed, which comprises a reference electrode made of a material having a certain sulfur potential, a mass of a solid electrolyte comprised of CaS and TiS.sub.