Slight clearance punching of ultra-high strength steel sheets using punch having small round edge

A slight clearance punching process of ultra-high strength steel sheets using a punch having a small round edge was developed to improve the quality of the sheared edge. No crack from the edge of the punch was generated by relaxing concentration of deformation with the punch having a small round edge, and the fracture was delayed. A small edge radius of 0.13 mm was effective for improving the quality of the sheared edge of ultra-high strength steel sheets, the increase in shiny burnished surface. The delayed fracture was prevented by the increase in compressive residual stress for the punch having the small round edge. For 1000 strike punching of an ultra-high strength steel sheet having a tensile strength of 1200 MPa, a sheared edge of high quality was produced with a TiAlN-coated punch having the small round edge. In addition, the chipping of the punch edge was prevented even for a slight clearance by the small round edge. It was found that both small round edge and slight clearance are indispensable for high quality punching of ultra-high strength steel sheets having low ductility.

► Ultra-high strength steel sheets were punched with a punch having a small round edge.
► Slight clearance was used to improve the quality of the sheared edge.
► No crack from the edge of the punch was generated by relaxing deformation.
► Shiny burnished surface of the sheared edge increased.
► Both small round edge and slight clearance are indispensable.