Improvement of formability in deep drawing of ultra-high strength steel sheets by coating of die

The formability of deep drawn ultra-high strength steel sheets in dies coated with either titanium nitride (TiN) or Vanadium carbide (VC) at different drawing speeds and ironing ratios was investigated. TiN was deposited via chemical vapour deposition and physical vapour deposition (PVD) while thermal diffusion was used for VC deposition. In non-coated dies, seizure occurred on both surfaces of the die and the side wall of the drawn cup irrespective of the deep drawing conditions. The deep drawability is improved with coating of die. Whereas in coated dies, seizure became significant only during deep drawing extreme conditions of 120 mm/s for TiN-coated dies; and this was prevented in VC-coated dies across all drawing conditions. The VC-coated die was suitable for deep drawing of ultra-high strength steel sheets. The delayed fractured observed in the ultra-high strength steel cups occurred for a large amount of ironing ratio and drawing speeds; and this can be prevented by appropriate heat treatment.