We thank Dennis McPike, Zapp Tooling Alloys, Inc. for contributing this insightful case study. Multi-phase steels are complex to cut and form, requiring specific tooling materials. The tooling alloys which have been used for decades, such as D2, A2 or S7, are reaching...
To understand the difference between localized and global fractures, you must first understand strain gradients (see the article in our blog, AHSS Strain Hardening and Gradients). Gradients can result in highly concentrated strains (peak strain condition) that...
A common problem in every stamping plant is trim edge burrs. As new materials have been introduced, special trim breakage (clearance) or entry amounts may be required. Researchers are still trying to understand the edge stretching limits of these new materials. Edge...
The mild steel currently being used for sheet metal stampings has higher n-values than High Strength Low Alloy Steel and Advanced High Strength Steel. The high n-value indicates that the material has a higher work hardening exponent making the steel much easier to...
Laser welding is finding its way into more vehicle applications due to inherent weld strength, adaptability to complex weld geometries, and lower part distortion (Figure 1). Automotive applications use a variety of welding joint designs for laser welding in both lap...
Arc welds are normally used for vehicle components where the loads are high, for example in shock towers and engine cradles. Conventional arc welding processes (GMAW, TIG, and plasma) can be used as effectively for AHSS as with mild steels. The same shielding gases...
Contributed by Menachem Kimchi, Ohio State University Advance High-Strength Steels (AHSS) have been resistance welded in automotive production lines in the last few years. However, the high strength and hardness can be expected to affect spot weld failure modes during...
The challenges to spot welding of aluminum compared to steel include a tenacious and rapidly forming oxide layer of variable thickness and composition, high electrical and thermal conductivities, small increases in resistivity with temperature, a narrow plastic range,...
With escalating concerns about human-induced greenhouse gases, global legislators have passed more stringent vehicle emissions regulations through 2020, while considering further, aggressive targets for the next ten years. Automakers are searching for new materials...