Abstract: A method for manufacturing a coating-free press hardening steel (CFPHS) component comprises heating a CFPHS blank at a first predetermined heating rate to a first predetermined temperature in a first predetermined temperature range using a heater; transferring the CFPHS blank to a furnace; soaking the CFPHS blank in the furnace at a second predetermined temperature in a second predetermined temperature range for a predetermined period; and pressing and forming the CFPHS blank in a stamp/press to form a CFPHS component.

Abstract: A tool steel comprises iron (Fe); carbon (C) in a range from 0.001 wt % to 0.1 wt %; copper (Cu) in a range from 0.2 wt % to 2.0 wt %; nickel (Ni) in a range from 3 wt % to 10 wt %; aluminum (Al) in a range from 0.5 wt % to 3 wt %; manganese (Mn) in a range from 0.2 wt % to 1.5 wt %; chromium (Cr) in a range from 0 to 1.5 wt %; molybdenum (Mo) in a range from 0 to 1.5 wt %; tungsten (W) in a range from 0 to 1.5 wt %; and niobium (Nb) in a range from 0 to 0.2 wt %. A transition layer is arranged on the steel substrate. Metal of the transition layer includes Ni in a range from 5 to 20 wt % copper in a range from 1 to 5 wt %. One of an oxide layer and an oxide/nitride layer is arranged on the transition layer.

Abstract: A method to achieve variable properties of a component using a coating free press hardened steel comprises: transferring a blank of a coating free press hardened steel (CFPHS) material having base blank properties into a heating unit having multiple induction heating coils; heating the blank within the heating unit to create a modified blank having differing modified blank properties throughout the modified blank compared to base blank properties; moving the modified blank out of the heating unit into a die; and forming a shaped part by operation of the die creating a finished CFPHS part.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped steel object is provided. The method includes cutting a blank from an alloy composition including 0.05-0.5 wt. % carbon, 4-12 wt. % manganese, 1-8 wt. % aluminum, 0-0.4 wt. % vanadium, and a remainder balance of iron. The method also includes heating the blank until the blank is austenitized to form a heated blank, transferring the heated blank to a press, forming the heating blank into a predetermined shape to form a stamped object, and decreasing the temperature of the stamped object to a temperature between a martensite start (Ms) temperature of the alloy composition and a martensite final (Mf) temperature of the alloy composition to form a shaped steel object comprising martensite and retained austenite.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped steel object is provided. The method includes cutting a blank from an alloy composition including 0.05-0.5 wt. % carbon, 4-12 wt. % manganese, 1-8 wt. % aluminum, 0-0.4 wt. % vanadium, and a remainder balance of iron. The method also includes heating the blank until the blank is austenitized to form a heated blank, transferring the heated blank to a press, forming the heating blank into a predetermined shape to form a stamped object, and decreasing the temperature of the stamped object to a temperature between a martensite start (Ms) temperature of the alloy composition and a martensite final (Mf) temperature of the alloy composition to form a shaped steel object comprising martensite and retained austenite.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped steel object, includes cutting a blank from an alloy composition. The alloy composition includes 0.1-1 wt. % carbon, 0.1-3 wt. % manganese, 0.1-3 wt. % silicon, 1-10 wt. % aluminum, and a balance being iron. The method also includes heating the blank to a temperature above a temperature at which austenite begins to form to generate a heated blank, transferring the heated blank to a die, forming the heated blank into a predetermined shape defined by the die to generate a shaped steel object, and decreasing the temperature of the shaped steel object to ambient temperature. The heating is performed under an atmosphere comprising at least one of an inert gas, a carbon (C)-based gas, and nitrogen (N2) gas.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped steel object is provided. The method includes cutting a blank from an alloy composition including 0.05-0.5 wt. % carbon, 4-12 wt. % manganese, 1-8 wt. % aluminum, 0-0.4 wt. % vanadium, and a remainder balance of iron. The method also includes heating the blank until the blank is austenitized to form a heated blank, transferring the heated blank to a press, forming the heating blank into a predetermined shape to form a stamped object, and decreasing the temperature of the stamped object to a temperature between a martensite start (Ms) temperature of the alloy composition and a martensite final (Mf) temperature of the alloy composition to form a shaped steel object comprising martensite and retained austenite.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped steel object is provided. The method includes cutting a blank from an alloy composition including 0.05-0.5 wt. % carbon, 4-12 wt. % manganese, 1-8 wt. % aluminum, 0-0.4 wt. % vanadium, and a remainder balance of iron. The method also includes heating the blank until the blank is austenitized to form a heated blank, transferring the heated blank to a press, forming the heating blank into a predetermined shape to form a stamped object, and decreasing the temperature of the stamped object to a temperature between a martensite start (Ms) temperature of the alloy composition and a martensite final (Mf) temperature of the alloy composition to form a shaped steel object comprising martensite and retained austenite.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped steel object, includes cutting a blank from an alloy composition. The alloy composition includes 0.1-1 wt. % carbon, 0.1-3 wt. % manganese, 0.1-3 wt. % silicon, 1-10 wt. % aluminum, and a balance being iron. The method also includes heating the blank to a temperature above a temperature at which austenite begins to form to generate a heated blank, transferring the heated blank to a die, forming the heated blank into a predetermined shape defined by the die to generate a shaped steel object, and decreasing the temperature of the shaped steel object to ambient temperature. The heating is performed under an atmosphere comprising at least one of an inert gas, a carbon (C)-based gas, and nitrogen (N2) gas.

Abstract: An alloy composition is provided. The alloy composition includes chromium (Cr) at a concentration of greater than or equal to about 0.5 wt. % to less than or equal to about 9 wt. %, carbon (C) at a concentration of greater than or equal to about 0.15 wt. % to less than or equal to about 0.5 wt. %, manganese (Mn) at a concentration of greater than or equal to about 0 wt. % to less than or equal to about 3 wt. %, silicon (Si) at a concentration of greater than or equal to about 0.5 wt. % to less than or equal to about 2 wt. %, and a balance of the alloy composition being iron. Methods of making shaped steel objects from the alloy composition are also provided.