AHSS with high edge ductility – now a reality
With the emergence of new advanced high strength steel (AHSS) with high edge ductility, automotive manufacturers facing design and production challenges with HSLA material may have a real solution.
Edge ductility is a common limiting factor among automotive manufacturers developing complex components. Often, those using conventional HSLA materials have to deal with challenges like scrap, rejections, technical problems and cost issues.
Recently, a new solution has emerged on the market. The hot rolled group of HE steel brings improved edge ductility for advanced high strength steel – allowing automotive manufacturers a way to fully utilize the properties of the material, while developing new and innovative components.
Docol® HE grades are the result of innovative production practices made possible with the modern production line at the SSAB hot rolling mill, which provides the capability and the accuracy to hit the exact properties desired. The low alloy composition results in improved welding by conventional means as well as excellent formability in general.
Docol® HE is currently available with yield strengths of 355MPa, 420MPa, 460MPa and 500MPa. They are available in thicknesses from 2-6mm and are delivered as coil or sheet. In the near future, new steps in product development for this type of steel will focus on extended dimension ranges and higher yield strengths.
In short, Docol® HE begins where HSLA ends. These new hot rolled grades will provide a platform for more innovative designs with fewer production challenges, something that could open the door to greater competitiveness.
Recently, a new solution has emerged on the market. The hot rolled group of HE steel brings improved edge ductility for advanced high strength steel – allowing automotive manufacturers a way to fully utilize the properties of the material, while developing new and innovative components.
A step ahead
The group of HE steels are developed specifically for the most demanding applications and manufacturing conditions in the automotive industry. They have a finer microstructure that results in improve edge ductility with greatly increased local formability, sheared edge quality and hole expansion ratios. This allows for the forming of components with cut edges to be done without risking micro cracks, burrs or failure, which can be costly to production.Numerous uses
These improved properties make HE highly suitable for a wide range of chassis components, consoles, seats as well as for parts in power trains, clutches, couplings and any component that is stamped with a stretched edge. In addition, fine blanking with HE also produces excellent results, which opens for many new areas of use.Developed by SSAB
These new steels are developed by SSAB and are unique to the market. They are part of the Docol® strategy to not only create stronger grades of steel, but also to improve the properties of existing and widely used grades of Docol® AHSS.Docol® HE grades are the result of innovative production practices made possible with the modern production line at the SSAB hot rolling mill, which provides the capability and the accuracy to hit the exact properties desired. The low alloy composition results in improved welding by conventional means as well as excellent formability in general.
Docol® HE is currently available with yield strengths of 355MPa, 420MPa, 460MPa and 500MPa. They are available in thicknesses from 2-6mm and are delivered as coil or sheet. In the near future, new steps in product development for this type of steel will focus on extended dimension ranges and higher yield strengths.
Fully certified
Docol® HE grades meet and exceed EN10149.2. They can be delivered with dual certifications in order to solve current production issues or enable new complex designs without having to change existing standards.In short, Docol® HE begins where HSLA ends. These new hot rolled grades will provide a platform for more innovative designs with fewer production challenges, something that could open the door to greater competitiveness.
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