Galvanized Steel Sheet Microstructure for Crashworthiness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high-strength galvanized steel sheets for automotive parts lack sufficient formability, ductility, stretch flangeability, and crashworthiness, especially at low strain ranges, which is critical for ensuring occupant safety during crashes.

Innovation Solution

A high-strength galvanized steel sheet with a microstructure comprising 60-95% tempered martensite and 5-20% retained austenite, along with ferrite and martensite, and a specific composition including C, Si, Mn, P, Al, B, Ti, and other elements, is developed through hot-rolling and heat treatment processes to enhance strength, formability, and crashworthiness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the thickness of steel sheet is reduced to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but strength and formability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of automobile bodyVSAvoidstrength of steel sheet
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling chemical composition parameters (C: 0.15-0.40%, Si: 0.01-2.50%, Mn: 1.50-3.50%, P: 0.003-0.100%, S: 0.02% or less, Al: 0.010-0.500%, B: 0.0002-0.0050%, Ti: 0.010-0.050%) and processing parameters (finishing temperature 750-950°C, cooling rate 10-50°C/s, coiling temperature 300-550°C) to achieve a microstructure with tempered martensite and retained austenite, thereby maintaining high strength and formability while enabling thickness reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite microstructure consisting of tempered martensite (60-95% area ratio) and retained austenite (5-20% area ratio), combining the high strength of martensite with the ductility and stretch flangeability of retained austenite, thus achieving both weight reduction and maintained mechanical properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If the strength of steel sheet is increased to reduce thickness, then weight is reduced, but formability and ductility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of automobile bodyVSAvoidformability and ductility
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite microstructure consisting of tempered martensite (60-95% area ratio) and retained austenite (5-20% area ratio), combining the high strength of martensite with the ductility and stretch flangeability of retained austenite, thus achieving both weight reduction and maintained mechanical properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by controlling the distribution and morphology of different microstructural phases throughout the steel sheet, ensuring that retained austenite is distributed to provide localized ductility and stretch flangeability while tempered martensite provides overall strength, enabling excellent formability even at high strength levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Weight of moving object

If conventional steel sheets are used to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but crashworthiness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of automobile bodyVSAvoidcrashworthiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite microstructure consisting of tempered martensite (60-95% area ratio) and retained austenite (5-20% area ratio), combining the high strength of martensite with the ductility and stretch flangeability of retained austenite, thus achieving both weight reduction and maintained mechanical properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling chemical composition parameters (C: 0.15-0.40%, Si: 0.01-2.50%, Mn: 1.50-3.50%, P: 0.003-0.100%, S: 0.02% or less, Al: 0.010-0.500%, B: 0.0002-0.0050%, Ti: 0.010-0.050%) and processing parameters (finishing temperature 750-950°C, cooling rate 10-50°C/s, coiling temperature 300-550°C) to achieve a microstructure with tempered martensite and retained austenite, thereby maintaining high strength and formability while enabling thickness reduction

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 steel sheet achieves a tensile strength of 1,200 MPa or more, excellent formability, and improved crashworthiness, making it suitable for automotive parts that require high energy absorption even at small strain ranges.

Implementation Method 1

a microstructure containing 60% or more and 95% or less of tempered martensite in terms of area ratio and 5% or more and 20% or less of retained austenite in terms of area ratio

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transformation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

hot-rolling and heat treatment processes to enhance strength, formability, and crashworthiness

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentUS10190186B2Method for manufacturing a high-strength galvanized steel sheet having excellent formability and crashworthiness
Publication Date: 2019.01.29 JFE STEEL CORP

AI summary

A method of manufacturing a galvanized steel sheet having a composition containing, by mass %, C: 0.05% or more and 0.5% or less, Si: 0.01% or more and 2.5% or less, Mn: 0.5% or more and 3.5% or less, P: 0.003% or more and 0.100% or less, S: 0.02% or less, Al: 0.010% or more and 0.5% or less, B: 0.0002% or more and 0.005% or less, Ti: 0.05% or less, a relationship of Ti>4N being satisfied, and the balance comprising Fe and inevitable impurities, and a microstructure containing 60% or more and 95% or less of tempered martensite in terms of area ratio and 5% or more and 20% or less of retained austenite in terms of area ratio.