Coated Steel Sheet Strength and Formability via Phase Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coated steel sheets face challenges in achieving a balance between mechanical strength, crash energy absorption properties, and formability, as increased strength often leads to decreased elongation, limiting their application in vehicle bodies.

Innovation Solution

A method for producing a coated steel sheet involving specific chemical compositions and processing steps, including cold rolling at a 50-80% reduction ratio, controlled cooling rates, and hot-dip galvanizing, to achieve optimal mechanical strengths and formability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the strength of steel sheets is increased, then the mechanical strength and crash energy absorption properties are improved, but the elongation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidelongation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the steel sheet by precisely controlling the content ranges of carbon (0.15-0.25 wt%), silicon (0.5-1.5 wt%), manganese (1.5-2.5 wt%), aluminum (0.5-1.8 wt%), and other alloying elements. This parameter optimization enables the steel to achieve both high strength (1000-1500 MPa) and adequate elongation (10-20%) through improved microstructural control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite microstructure within the steel sheet by combining multiple phases including martensite, bainite, and retained austenite. This multi-phase composite structure allows the material to exhibit both high strength from the martensitic phases and good elongation through the ductile retained austenite, effectively resolving the strength-elongation trade-off

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the strength of steel sheets is increased, then the crash energy absorption ability is improved, but the formability of draw parts reaches a limit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrash energy absorption abilityVSAvoidformability of draw parts
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes processing parameters including cold rolling reduction ratio (50-80%), annealing temperature (800-950°C), and cooling rates (10-50°C/sec) to achieve the desired microstructure. These parameter changes enable the steel to possess both high crash energy absorption ability (through 1000-1500 MPa strength) and sufficient formability for draw parts (through 10-20% elongation)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If silicon and aluminum contents are increased, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the coating adhesion may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidcoating adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention precisely controls the silicon content at 0.5-1.5 wt% and aluminum content at 0.5-1.8 wt%, avoiding excessive amounts that would harm coating adhesion. This optimized parameter range allows the steel to achieve high mechanical strength while maintaining good coating adhesion properties for automotive applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The resulting coated steel sheet exhibits excellent crash energy absorption properties, mechanical strength, and formability, with specific microstructural compositions that enhance both tensile strength and elongation, making it suitable for vehicle body applications.

Implementation Method 1

a steel slab reheating step; a hot-rolling step; a coiling step; a cold-rolling step; an annealing step

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transformation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

the steel sheet may be cooled at a cooling rate of 10-50°C/sec after annealing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectControlled cooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

the cold rolling may be performed at a reduction ratio of 50-80%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3378958B1Plated steel plate and manufacturing method thereof
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 HYUNDAE STEEL CO LTD
  • EP3378958B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3378958B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3378958B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for producing a coated steel sheet. A method for producing a coated steel sheet according to the present invention includes the steps of: reheating a steel slab containing 0.15-0.25 wt% of carbon (C), more than 0 wt% but not more than 1.5 wt% of silicon (Si), 1.5-2.5 wt% of manganese (Mn), more than 0 wt% but not more than 1.8 wt% of aluminum (Al), 0.3-1.0 wt% of chromium (Cr), more than 0 wt% but not more than 0.03 wt% of titanium (Ti), more than 0 wt% but not more than 0.03 wt% of niobium (Nb), and the balance of iron (Fe) and unavoidable impurities; hot-rolling, cooling and coiling the steel slab, thereby producing a hot-rolled steel sheet; pickling the hot-rolled steel sheet, followed by cold rolling; annealing the cold-rolled steel sheet at a temperature between 820°C and 870°C, followed by cooling at a finish-cooling temperature between 350°C and 450°C; tempering the cooled steel sheet at a temperature between 450°C and 550°C; and hot-dip galvanizing the tempered steel sheet.