Abstract: Press hardened steels exhibit increased strength in the press hardened steel parts without a corresponding decrease in elongation. Substitutional elements are included in the steel composition to increase the strength of martensite through a combination of substitutional solute strengthening and a reduction in softening that results from autotempering. Softening as a result of autotempering is minimized by suppression of the martensite start (Ms) temperature through the alloying. As a result of the increased hardenability in the proposed compositions that results from various additions of manganese, chromium, molybdenum, and niobium, the steel compositions permit a boron-free press hardening steel.

Abstract: A tailor-welded blank is made of two steels, one steel of Alloy A and one steel of Alloy B. Alloy A comprises 0.10-0.50 wt % C, 0.1-0.5 wt % Si, 2.0-8.0 wt % Mn, 0.0-6.0 wt % Cr, 0.0-2.0 wt % Mo, 0.0-0.15 wt % Ti, and 0.0-0.005 wt % B and wherein Alloy B comprises 0.06-0.12 wt % C, 0.1-0.25 wt % Si, 1.65-2.42 wt % Mn, 0.0-0.70 wt % Cr, 0.08-0.40 wt % Mo, 0.0-0.05 wt % V, and 0.01-0.05 wt % Ti.

Abstract: Warming a metastable steel after coating and before or during cold rolling suppresses the transformation of austenite to martensite, resulting in lower mill loads and higher amounts of reduction at similar loads. As-warm rolled steel has enhanced mechanical properties when compared to steel reduced the same amount by cold rolling at room temperature.

Abstract: The residual ductility of currently available press hardened steel is approximately six percent. This characteristic of the material is primarily due to the fully martensitic microstructure in the hot stamped condition. The present alloys and processing improve the residual ductility of steels for use in press hardening applications. A series of specialized heat treatments were applied to a variety of new alloys to obtain higher residual ductility and a significant volume fraction of retained austenite in the as-hot stamped microstructure.

Abstract: Prior third generation advanced high strength steels can produce ingots and hot bands that have a tendency to develop cracks. It has been found that an addition to third generation advanced high strength steels of one or more of molybdenum in an amount up to 0.50 wt % and nickel in an amount up to 1.5 wt %, eliminates the cracks in ingots, and improves the appearance of hot bands. More specifically the new exemplary alloys have shown to improve the toughness of ingots, as well as hot bands.

Abstract: Warming a metastable steel after coating and before or during cold rolling suppresses the transformation of austenite to martensite, resulting in lower mill loads and higher amounts of reduction at similar loads. As-warm rolled steel has enhanced mechanical properties when compared to steel reduced the same amount by cold rolling at room temperature.

Abstract: A tailor-welded blank is made of two steels, one steel of Alloy A and one steel of Alloy B. Alloy A comprises 0.10-0.50 wt % C, 0.1-0.5 wt % Si, 2.0-8.0 wt % Mn, 0.0-6.0 wt % Cr, 0.0-2.0 wt % Mo, 0.0-0.15 wt % Ti, and 0.0-0.005 wt % B and wherein Alloy B comprises 0.06-0.12 wt % C, 0.1-0.25 wt % Si, 1.65-2.42 wt % Mn, 0.0-0.70 wt % Cr, 0.08-0.40 wt % Mo, 0.0-0.05 wt % V, and 0.01-0.05 wt % Ti.

Abstract: A tailor-welded blank is created by forming a blank from a steel of composition A and a steel of composition B and welding said two steels together, heating said welded blank to a temperature above the Ac1 temperature associated with the steel of composition A, transferring said blank to a forming die, and then cooling said blank to a temperature between the martensite start temperature and martensite finish temperature of the steel of composition B and holding said blank at such temperature or at a higher temperature, cooling said blank to room temperature. The tailor-welded blank comprises Alloy A and Alloy B, wherein Alloy A comprises 0.10-0.50 wt % C, 0.1-0.5 wt % Si, 2.0-8.0 wt % Mn, 0-6.0 wt % Cr, 0.0-2 wt % Mo, and 0.0-0.005 wt % B and wherein Alloy B comprises 0.06-0.12 wt % C, 0.1-0.25 wt % Si, 1.65-2.42 wt % Mn, 0.0-0.70 wt % Cr, 0.08-0.40 wt % Mo, 0.0-0.05 wt % V, 0.01-0.

Abstract: Hot-rolled steels provide increased strength without degrading elongation or weldability. Substitutional elements are included in the steel composition to increase the propensity of the steel to form martensite after hot-rolling processes despite relatively low cooling rates encountered during the hot-rolling processes.

Abstract: Press hardened steels exhibit increased strength in the press hardened steel parts without a corresponding decrease in elongation. Substitutional elements are included in the steel composition to increase the strength of martensite through a combination of substitutional solute strengthening and a reduction in softening that results from autotempering. Softening as a result of autotempering is minimized by suppression of the martensite start (Ms) temperature through the alloying. As a result of the increased hardenability in the proposed compositions that results from various additions of manganese, chromium, molybdenum, and niobium, the steel compositions permit a boron-free press hardening steel.

Abstract: The residual ductility of currently available press hardened steel is approximately six percent. This characteristic of the material is primarily due to the fully martensitic microstructure in the hot stamped condition. The present alloys and processing improve the residual ductility of steels for use in press hardening applications. A series of specialized heat treatments were applied to a variety of new alloys to obtain higher residual ductility and a significant volume fraction of retained austenite in the as-hot stamped microstructure.