Warm and Hot Stamping of Ultra High Tensile Strength Steel Sheets Using Resistance Heating

A warm and hot stamping process of ultra high tensile strength steel sheets using resistance heating was developed to improve springback and formability. In this process, the decrease in temperature of the sheet before the forming is prevented by directly heating the sheets set into the dies by means of the electrical resistance, the so-called Joule heat. Since the heating time up to 800°C is only 2 seconds, the resistance heating is rapid enough to synchronise with a press. The effects of the heating temperature on the springback and formability of ultra high tensile strength steel sheets were examined. The springback in hat-shaped bending of the high tensile strength steel sheets was eliminated by heating the sheet. In addition, the ultra sheet having a tensile strength of 980MPa was successfully drawn by the heating. The heating temperature is optimum around 600°C due to the small springback and oxidation and the increase in hardness.