Abstract: A number of variations may include a ferritic nitrocarburized part comprising steel, wherein the ferritic nitrocarburized steel has a tensile strength exceeding the parent steel material and sufficient ductility, bendability, and flangeability to support subsequent flanging and press-fitting of bushings. Exact strength increases and bendability will be dependent on exact process and alloy combinations.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a ferritic nitrocarburized part comprising steel, wherein the ferritic nitrocarburized steel has a tensile strength exceeding the parent steel material and sufficient ductility, bendability, and flangeability to support subsequent flanging and press-fitting of bushings. Exact strength increases and bendability will be dependent on exact process and alloy combinations.

Abstract: An alloy with tailored hardenability includes carbon, silicon, manganese, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, vanadium, and cobalt. A time and temperature transformation diagram of the alloy has a bainite nose and a ferrite nose that occur at approximately the same time at approximately 4 seconds at temperatures of about 750 K and 950 K, respectively.

Abstract: Methods of reducing liquid metal embrittlement (LME) in zinc-coated high-strength steel alloys are provided. In one variation, the method includes decarburizing an exposed surface of a high-strength steel alloy to form a decarburized surface layer. The decarburized surface layer has a thickness of less than or equal to about 50 micrometers. The decarburized surface layer may have greater than or equal to about 80 volume % ferrite. The method also includes applying a zinc-based coating to the decarburized surface layer. A blank is formed from the high-strength steel alloy. The method also includes heating and press hardening the blank to form a press-hardened component having an ultimate tensile strength of greater than or equal to about 1,100 MPa that is substantially free of liquid metal embrittlement.

Abstract: Disclosed are hot forming systems and apparatuses for metalworking components from micro-alloyed press hardened steel (PHS), methods for operating such systems/apparatuses, processes for hot forming components from micro-alloyed PHS, and components formed from such processes. A method of hot forming components from steel is disclosed. The method includes transferring a workpiece formed from a PHS micro-alloyed with niobium (e.g., 0.02-0.1 wt % Nb) to a furnace, e.g., via material handling robot. The workpiece is then heated to a peak furnace temperature and during a furnace time (e.g., total ramp and soak time) selected from a pentagon having heating time and temperature coordinates of: A (about 2 minutes, about 940° C.), B (about 2 minutes, about 1100° C.), C (about 3.5 minutes, about 1100° C.), D (about 5 minutes, about 975° C.), and E (about 5 minutes, about 940° C.). The heated workpiece is then transferred to a hot forming apparatus.

Abstract: An alloy with tailored hardenability includes carbon, silicon, manganese, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, vanadium, and cobalt. A time and temperature transformation diagram of the alloy has a bainite nose and a ferrite nose that occur at approximately the same time at approximately 4 seconds at temperatures of about 750 K and 950 K, respectively.