High edge (HE) ductility HSLA steel

High edge ductility HSLA steel with greatly improved local formability and high hole expansion ratios – ideal for challenging auto components with complex designs on sheared stretched edges.

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What is the definition of high edge ductility steels?

Unlike conventional HSLA steels, high edge ductility steels have a much finer microstructure and perlite distribution. This microstructure provides for higher formability, tighter radii bending, and crack-free sheared cuts – even on stretched edges. HE steel’s advanced microstructure is achieved by using exceptionally clean and closely controlled steelmaking processes. The high edge steel also has a low alloy content, making welding straightforward using conventional processes.

Docol high edge ductility steel microstructure

Left: Standard MC/LA grade. Right: HE grade HSLA.

HE steel properties

An improvement of 30 percentage points in hole expansion ratio compared to conventional HSLA steels.

  • Greatly increased local formability, providing ductility for complex geometries on stretched edges.
  • Excellent cut/sheared edge quality, significantly reducing micro cracks and burrs.
  • Bending radius of 0.0 xt can be achieved.
  • Excellent for fineblanking and energy-efficient cold-forming of automotive parts with complex edges.
greatly increased high edge ductility steel

HE can help you solve part defects such as micro cracks on stretched punched holes and cracks on outer edges.

Applications for high edge ductility HSLA steels

When a design needs higher edge ductility than provided by conventional HSLA grades, we recommend Docol HE.

  • Beams and cross members
  • Suspension systems
  • Chassis
  • Wheels
     

 

HE steel for automotive applications

Testing High Edge Steel: a demanding fineblanking test

Watch our customer test Docol high edge ductility HSLA by fineblanking a “cogwheel” pattern with teeth having a 0.3mm radii and 30° angles.

Grades and mechanical properties for Docol high edge ductility steel

For best weight reduction, use higher grades with reduced thicknesses. All Docol HE grades are hot-rolled and meet EN10051 dimensional tolerances.

Looking for conventional automotive steels with tensile strengths from 550 MPa to 700 MPa in HSLA grades?

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    Product Family Product name Coating Dimensions Standards Datasheet
    Docol 355HE Docol HR355Y430T HE UC T: 2.00 - 7.00 mm
    W: Up to 1600 mm
    T: 0.0787 - 0.276 in
    W: Up to 62.99 in
    SSAB

    Docol 355HE

    Docol 420HE Docol HR420Y480T HE UC T: 2.00 - 7.00 mm
    W: Up to 1600 mm
    T: 0.0787 - 0.276 in
    W: Up to 62.99 in
    SSAB

    Docol 420HE

    Docol 460HE Docol HR460Y520T HE UC T: 2.00 - 7.00 mm
    W: Up to 1600 mm
    T: 0.0787 - 0.276 in
    W: Up to 62.99 in
    SSAB

    Docol 460HE

    Docol 500HE Docol HR500Y550T HE UC T: 2.00 - 7.00 mm
    W: Up to 1600 mm
    T: 0.0787 - 0.276 in
    W: Up to 62.99 in
    SSAB

    Docol 500HE

    Docol 550HE Docol HR550Y600T HE UC T: 2.00 - 7.00 mm
    W: Up to 1600 mm
    T: 0.0787 - 0.276 in
    W: Up to 62.99 in
    SSAB

    Docol 550HE

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    Comparison

      Forming Docol high edge ductility steel

      • Excellent for fineblanking.

      • 30% better hole expansion ratios than conventional HSLA.

      • Guaranteed bending radius of 0.0 xt.

      • Enables crack-free forming operations along multiple, complex sheared stretched edges.

      • Excellent for cold-forming of automotive components.

      • Low alloy composition allows conventional welding and resistance spot welding.

      • Reduced tool wear.

      For specific forming guidance for your high edge ductility component, please contact our Technical Support.

      Forming Docol High edge ductility steel

      Added benefits from Docol HE steel

      • Good fatigue properties.

      • Four grades: Docol 355HE, Docol 420HE, Docol 460HE, and Docol 500HE.

      • Global availability and support.

      OEM-specific high edge ductility HSLA

      Docol 355HE, Docol 420HE, Docol 460HE, and Docol 500HE are made to SSAB specifications and can be dual certified with corresponding MC grades in EN 10149-2. In addition, we work closely with auto OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to develop innovative, customized, high edge ductility steels for your specific components’ requirements.

      Why Docol high edge ductility (HE) steel matters to you

      Safety engineers: Design crash-related safety components with stretched punched edges that are free of micro-cracks and subsequent part failure.

      Production engineers: Reduce micro cracks, burrs, and other defects on complex sheared stretched edges. Leverage the higher hole expansion ratios of Docol HE HSLA/AHSS steels in new, demanding part designs.

      Lightweighting engineers: Achieve thinner and lighter parts by specifying SSAB’s new, higher strength Docol HE AHSS grades.

      Procurement officers: Buy less materials, as you greatly reduce the number of defective components with cracked sheared edges.

      Sustainability officers: Due to the extreme efficiency of our steelmaking processes, Docol HE steels made from virgin iron ore have the same CO2 footprint as recycled steels. And SSAB Fossil-Free Docol steels will be available in 2026.

       

      Lower your embedded CO2

      Docol high edge ductility steel is “future proofed”.

      TRIAL MATERIAL STOCK

      HE steel samples

      With our Trial Material Stock Center, you can get AHSS samples for most of our commercially available steels – as well as samples for our newest but not yet commercially released grades. Unique to the industry, we ship coils, sheets and custom lengths of any size. In 1 to 2 weeks, your material is ready for dispatch to anywhere in the world.

      Expand all

      What is high edge ductility HSLA steel?

      High edge ductility steels have a much finer microstructure and perlite distribution – achieved by using exceptionally clean and closely controlled steelmaking processes – than conventional HSLA Steels, providing increased formability, tight radii bending, and crack-free sheared cuts on stretched edges.

      Why use high edge ductility HSLA steel?

      Compared to conventional HSLA steels, high edge ductility steels have greatly improved local formability and high hole expansion ratios, helping you solve component defects like cracked outer edges and micro cracks on stretched punched holes.

       

      Where is high edge ductility HSLA steel used?

      High edge ductility steels are recommended as an alternative to corresponding HSLA grades when there is a need for improved edge ductility.

      • Suspension systems
      • Beams and cross members
      • Wheels
      • Chassis

      What is the formability of high edge ductility HSLA steels?

      • Ideal for fineblanking – opening up HSLA to new, complex designs and new component applications.
      • Enables multiple, complex, crack-free forming operations along sheared stretched edges.
      • Hole expansion ratios 30% better than conventional HSLA.
      • Bend radius of 0.0 xt can be guaranteed.

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