EP2171112A1

EP2171112A1 - Method for producing steel sheets having high resistance and ductility characteristics, and sheets thus obtained

Info

Publication number: EP2171112A1
Application number: EP08830766A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pascal Drillet; Damien Ormston
Original assignee: ArcelorMittal France SA
Current assignee: ArcelorMittal France SA
Priority date: 2007-07-19
Filing date: 2008-07-09
Publication date: 2010-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-09
Also published as: KR101892423B1; ATE534756T1; RU2010105699A; US20180148806A1; US20180163282A9; BRPI0814514A2; WO2009034250A1; EP2171112B1; KR20140044407A; CN101784688B; ZA201000290B; KR20130010030A; MA31525B1; US20100221573A1; CN101784688A; CA2694069C; AR067594A1; JP5298127B2; CA2694069A1; KR20100037147A

Abstract

The invention relates to a hot-rolled steel sheet having a resistance higher than 800 MPa and an elongation at break higher than 10%, and having the following composition in weight: 0.050% = C = 0.090%, 1%< Mn = 2%, 0.015% = Al = 0.050 %, 0.1 %=Si = 0.3%, 0.10% = Mo = 0.40%, S = 0.010%, P= 0.025%, 0.003%=N=0.009%, 0.12% = V = 0.22%, Ti= 0.005%, Nb= 0.020% and optionally Cr= 0.45%, the balance consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities resulting from the production, wherein the microstructure of the sheet or the part includes, in surface fraction, at least 80 % of upper bainite, the optional balance consisting of lower bainite, martensite and residual austenite, the sum of the martensite and residual austensite contents being lower than 5 %.

Description

PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING STEEL SHEETS WITH HIGH RESISTANCE AND DUCTILITY CHARACTERISTICS AND SHEETS THUS PRODUCED

The invention relates to the manufacture of sheets or hot-rolled parts of so-called "multiphase" steels, simultaneously having a very high strength and a deformation capacity for performing cold or warm shaping operations. The invention more specifically relates to predominantly bainitic microstructure steels having a strength greater than 800 MPa and an elongation rate greater than 10% rupture.

The automotive industry is in particular a preferred field of application for these hot-rolled steel sheets. In particular, there is a continuing need in this industry for lighter vehicles and increased safety. Thus, different families of steels have been proposed to meet the growing needs: Steels with microalloy elements whose hardening is obtained simultaneously by precipitation and by refining the size of grains. The development of these steels was followed by that of "Dual-Phase" steels where the presence of martensite within a ferritic matrix makes it possible to obtain a strength greater than 450 MPa combined with a good cold forming ability.

To obtain higher resistance levels, steels with a "Transform Induced Plasticity" (TRIP) behavior have been developed with advantageous combinations of properties (resistance-ability to deformation): these properties are related to the structure of these steels. consisting of a ferritic matrix comprising bainite and residual austenite. Under the effect of a deformation, the residual austenite of a TRIP steel part gradually changes to martensite, which results in a significant consolidation and delays the appearance of a necking.

To achieve a high yield strength / resistance ratio at the same time, an even greater resistance, ie a level greater than 800 MPa ₁ has developed multiphase steels predominantly bainitic structure; in the automotive industry or in the general industry, these steels are used profitably for the manufacture of structural parts. The ability to shape these parts, however, simultaneously requires sufficient elongation. This requirement may also be required when the parts are welded and then shaped: in this case, the welded joints must have a sufficient fitness for shaping and not lead to premature fractures at the joints. The present invention aims to solve the problems mentioned above. It aims to provide a hot-rolled steel sheet having a mechanical strength greater than 800 MPa together with an elongation rate greater than 10% fracture, both in long direction and in cross-direction relative to the rolling . The invention also aims at providing a steel sheet that is not very sensitive to damage during cutting by a mechanical method. It also aims to have a steel sheet having a good aptitude for forming welded assemblies made from this steel, in particular assemblies obtained by welding LASER. The invention also aims to provide a method of manufacturing a steel sheet in the uncoated, electrogalvanized or galvanized, or aluminized state. This therefore requires that the mechanical characteristics of this steel are insensitive to the thermal cycles associated with continuous dipping zinc coating processes. The invention also aims to have a sheet or piece of hot rolled steel available even in small thickness, that is to say for example between 1 and 5mm. The hot hardness of the steel must not be too high to facilitate rolling.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a sheet or piece of hot-rolled steel with a resistance greater than 800 MPa, with an elongation at break greater than 10%, the composition of which comprises the contents being expressed by weight: 0.050% <C <0.090%, 1% <Mn <2%, 0.015% <Al <0.050%, 0.1% <If < 0.3%, 0.10% <Mo <0.40%, S <0.010%, P <0.025%, 0.003% <N <0.009%, 0.12% <V <0.22%, Ti≤ 0.005 %, Nb 0,0 0.020% and optionally Cr 0,4 0.45%, the remainder of the composition consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities resulting from the preparation, the microstructure of the sheet or the steel piece comprising, in surface fraction, at least 80% of higher bainite, the optional supplement consisting of lower bainite, martensite and residual austenite, the sum of the martensite and residual austenite contents being less than 5%. The composition of the steel preferably comprises the content being expressed by weight: 0.050% <C <0.070%

Preferably, the composition comprises, the content being expressed by weight:

0.070% <C <0.090%

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises: 1.4% <Mn <1.8%.

Preferably, the composition comprises: 0.020% ≤ Al ≤ 0.040%. The composition of the steel preferably comprises: 0.12% ≤ V ≤ 0.16%. In a preferred embodiment, the composition of the steel comprises 0.18% ≤ Mo ≤ 0.30%.

Preferably, the composition comprises: Nb ≤ 0.005% Preferably, the composition comprises: 0.20% ≤ Cr ≤ 0.45% According to a particular embodiment, the sheet or part is coated with a coating based on zinc or based on aluminum.

The subject of the invention is also a piece of steel with a composition and a microstructure defined above, characterized in that it is obtained by heating at a temperature T of between 400 and 690 ° C. and then a warm stamping in a temperature range between 35O ⁰ C and (T-20 ° C), then a subsequent cooling to room temperature.

The invention also relates to a beam welded assembly with high energy density made from a sheet or piece of steel in one of the modes above.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a sheet or piece of hot-rolled steel with a resistance greater than 800 MPa, elongation at break greater than 10%, according to which a steel of the above composition is supplied, a semi-product is cast which is heated to a temperature above 1150 ^° C. The semi-finished product is hot-rolled at a temperature T _F ι_ in a temperature range where the microstructure of the steel is entirely austenitic so as to obtain a sheet. It is then cooled to a cooling rate V _R of 75 and 200 ⁰ CVs ₁ and the sheet is reeled at a T _bob temperature between 500 and 600 ⁰ C. According to a preferred mode, the end temperature of rolling TFL is between 870 and 930 ° C. Preferably, the cooling rate V _R is between 80 and 150 ° C / s.

Preferably, the sheet is pickled, then optionally skin-passed, and then coated with zinc or zinc alloy. According to a preferred embodiment, the coating is carried out continuously by dipping. The subject of the invention is also a process for manufacturing a hot-stamped part, according to which a steel sheet is supplied according to one of the above characteristics, or manufactured by a method according to one of the above-mentioned characteristics. above, then cutting said sheet to obtain a blank. The blank is heated partially or completely to a temperature T of between 400 and 690 ^° C., where a hold lasting less than 15 minutes is carried out so as to obtain a heated blank, and then the heated blank is pressed at a temperature between 350 and T-20 ° C, to obtain a room which is cooled to room temperature with a speed V ' _R According to a particular mode, the speed V' _R is between 25 and 100 ° C / s. The invention also relates to the use of a hot-rolled steel sheet according to one of the above modes, or manufactured by a method according to one of the above modes for the manufacture of parts of structure or reinforcement elements, in the automotive field. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description below, given by way of example and with reference to the appended accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the influence of the carbon content on the long-term elongation of splicing welds made by LASER beam FIG. 2 illustrates the microstructure of a sheet or piece of steel according to the invention

FIG. 3 illustrates the microstructure of a piece of hot-stamped steel according to the invention. With regard to the chemical composition of steel, carbon plays an important role on the formation of the microstructure and on the mechanical properties. .

According to the invention, the carbon content is between 0.050 and 0.090% by weight: Below 0.050%, sufficient strength can not be obtained. Beyond 0.090%, the microstructure formed consists mainly of lower bainite, this structure being characterized by the presence of carbides precipitated within bainitic ferrite slats: the mechanical strength thus obtained is high but the elongation is then significantly reduced. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the carbon content is between 0.050 and 0.070%. Figure 1 illustrates the influence of carbon content on the long-term elongation of LASER beam splicing welds: a particularly high breaking elongation of 17-23% is associated with a carbon content. ranging from 0.050 to 0.070%. These high elongation values make it possible to ensure that LASER-welded sheets can be stamped satisfactorily, even taking into account any local imperfections such as geometrical singularities of weld seams resulting in stress concentrations, or microporosities. in the molten metal. Compared with 0.12% C steels of the prior art, carbon reduction was expected to improve weldability. However, it has been demonstrated that a significant lowering of the carbon content not only makes it possible to obtain a high breaking elongation, but also simultaneously maintains the mechanical strength at a level greater than 800 MPa, which was not expected for contents as low as 0.050% C.

According to another preferred embodiment, the carbon content is greater than 0.070% and less than or equal to 0.090%: even if this range does not lead to such a high ductility, the elongation at break of the LASER welds is greater than 15% and remains comparable to that of the base steel sheet. In an amount of between 1 and 2% by weight, manganese increases the quenchability and avoids the formation of ferrite cooling after rolling. Manganese also helps to deoxidize steel during liquid phase processing. The addition of manganese also contributes to effective solid solution hardening and increased strength. Preferentially, the manganese is between 1.4 and 1.8%: thus forming a completely bainitic structure without risk of appearance of harmful band structure. In a range of contents between 0.015% and 0.050%, aluminum is an effective element for the deoxidation of steel. This efficiency is obtained in a particularly economical and stable manner when the aluminum content is between 0.020 and 0.040%. In an amount greater than or equal to 0.1%, silicon contributes to liquid phase deoxidation and hardening in solid solution. An addition of silicon above 0.3%, however, causes the formation of strongly adherent oxides and the possible appearance of surface defects, due in particular to a lack of wettability in dip galvanizing operations. In an amount greater than or equal to 0.10%, molybdenum retards bainitic transformation during cooling after rolling, contributes to hardening by solid solution and refines the size of bainitic slats. According to the invention, the molybdenum content is less than or equal to 0.40% to prevent the excessive formation of quenching structures. This limited molybdenum content also makes it possible to lower the manufacturing cost. In a preferred embodiment, the molybdenum content is greater than or equal to 0.18% and less than or equal to 0.30%. In this way, the level is ideally adjusted to avoid the formation of ferrite or perlite in the steel sheet on the cooling table after hot rolling. In excess of 0.010%, sulfur tends to precipitate excessively in the form of manganese sulphides which greatly reduce the shaping ability. Phosphorus is a known element to segregate at grain boundaries. Its content must be limited to 0.025% in order to maintain sufficient hot ductility.

As an option, the composition may comprise chromium in an amount of less than or equal to 0.45%. Thanks to the other elements of the composition and to the process according to the invention, its presence is however not absolutely necessary, which has the advantage of avoiding expensive additions. An addition of chromium between 0.20 and 0.45% can be carried out in addition to the other elements increasing the quenchability: below 0.20%, the effect on the quenchability is not sufficiently marked. Above 0.45%, the coating can be reduced.

According to the invention, the steel contains less than 0.005% Ti and less than 0.020% Nb. In the opposite case, these elements fix too much nitrogen in the form of nitrides or carbonitrides. There is not enough nitrogen available to precipitate with vanadium. In addition, excessive precipitation of niobium would increase the hot hardness and would not easily allow the realization of thin-rolled hot-rolled sheets. In a particularly economical mode, the niobium content is less than 0.005%

Vanadium is an important element according to the invention: the steel contains a vanadium content of between 0.12 and 0.22%. Compared to a vanadium-free steel, the increase in strength due to a hardening precipitation of carbonitrides can be up to 300 MPa. Below 0.12%, there is no significant effect on the mechanical tensile characteristics. Beyond 0.22% of vanadium, under the manufacturing conditions according to the invention, there is a saturation of the effect on the mechanical characteristics. A content of less than 0.22% thus makes it possible to obtain high mechanical characteristics in a very economical manner with respect to steels which contain higher levels of vanadium.

For a vanadium content between 0.13 and 0.15%, microstructure refinement and structural hardening are particularly effective. According to the invention, the nitrogen content is greater than or equal to 0.003% in order to obtain a precipitation of vanadium carbonitrides in a sufficient quantity.

However, the nitrogen content is less than or equal to 0.009% to avoid the presence of solid solution nitrogen or the formation of larger carbonitrides, which would reduce ductility.

The rest of the composition consists of unavoidable impurities resulting from the preparation, such as for example Sb, Sn, As.

The microstructure of the sheet or piece of steel according to the invention consists of: at least 80% higher bainite, this structure consisting of bainitic ferrite slats and carbides located between these slats, the precipitation occurring during bainitic transformation. This matrix has high strength properties combined with high ductility. Very preferably, the microstructure consists of at least 90% higher bainite: the microstructure is then very homogeneous and avoids a localization of the deformations.

- as a possible complement, the structure contains:

- Lower bainite, the precipitation of carbides intervenes within the ferritic slats; compared with the upper bainite, the lower bainite has a somewhat greater resistance but a smaller ductility.

- Possibly of martensite. This is frequently associated with residual austenite in the form of "MA" (residual martensite-austenite) compounds. The total martensite and residual austenite content must be limited to 5% in order not to reduce the ductility. The microstructural percentages above are surface fractions that can be measured on polished and etched sections. The microstructure therefore does not include primary or proeutectoid ferrite: it then has a great homogeneity since the difference in mechanical properties between the matrix (upper bainite) and the other possible constituents (lower bainite and martensite) is small. During a mechanical stress, the deformations are distributed homogeneously. Accumulation of dislocations does not occur at the interfaces between the constituents and premature damage is avoided, as opposed to this can be noted in structures with a significant amount of primary ferrite, phase whose flow limit is very low, or martensite with a very high level of resistance. In this way, the steel sheet according to the invention has a particular aptitude for certain demanding deformation modes such as the expansion of holes, the mechanical stressing of cut edges, folding.

The implementation of the method for manufacturing a sheet or piece of hot-rolled steel according to the invention is as follows:

- A steel composition is provided according to the invention, then proceeds to the casting of a semi-product from this steel. This casting may be carried out in ingots, or continuously in the form of slabs of thickness of the order of 200 mm. The casting can also be carried out in the form of thin slabs of a few tens of millimeters thick, or thin strips, between contra-rotating steel rolls. The cast half-products are first brought to a temperature above 1150X to reach at any point a temperature favorable to the high deformations that the steel will undergo during rolling.

Naturally, in the case of a direct casting of thin slabs or thin strips between contra-rotating rolls, the hot rolling step of these semi-products starting at more than 1150 ^° C. can be done directly after casting so well. that an intermediate heating step is not necessary in this case.

The semi-finished product is hot-rolled in a temperature range where the structure of the steel is totally austenitic to a TFL end-of-rolling temperature. The temperature TFL is preferably between

870 and 930 ⁰ C to obtain a grain size adapted to the bainitic transformation that follows.

Cooling is then carried out at a speed V _R of between 75 and

200 ° C / s: a minimum speed of 75 ° C / s avoids the formation of proeutectoid ferrite and perlite, while a VR speed of less than or equal to 200 ° C / s avoids excessive formation of martensite.

In an optimal way, the speed VR is between 80 and 150 ° C / s: A minimum speed of 80 ° C / s leads to the formation of superior bainite with a very small slat size, combined with excellent mechanical properties. A speed lower than 150 ⁰ CVs makes it possible to avoid most of the formation of martensite.

The cooling rate range according to the invention can be obtained by means of a water spray or an air-water mixture, depending on the thickness of the sheet, at the output of the finishing mill.

After this rapid cooling phase, the hot rolled sheet is wound at a T _bob temperature between 500 and 600 ^° C. The bainitic transformation occurs during this winding phase; in this way, the formation of proeutectoid ferrite or perlite caused by a too high winding temperature is avoided and the formation of quenching constituents which is caused by a too low winding temperature is also avoided. In addition, the precipitation of carbonitrides occurring in this winding temperature range makes it possible to obtain additional hardening.

The sheet can be used in the bare state or coated. In the latter case, the coating may be for example a coating based on zinc or aluminum. Depending on the intended use, the sheet is scoured after rolling according to a method known per se, so as to obtain a surface state suitable to promote the implementation of the subsequent coating.

In order to erase the bearing observed during a mechanical tensile test, the sheet may be subjected to a slight cold deformation, usually less than 1% ("skin-pass"). The sheet is then coated with zinc or aluminum. a zinc-based alloy, for example by electrogalvanizing or continuous galvanizing dipping. In the latter case, it has been demonstrated that the particular microstructure of the steel, mainly composed of higher bainite, is not very sensitive to the thermal conditions of the subsequent galvanizing treatment, so that the mechanical characteristics of the sheets coated continuously with dipping have a great stability even in case of untimely fluctuation of these conditions. The sheet in the galvanized state therefore has mechanical characteristics very similar to those in the naked state. The sheets are then cut by methods known in themselves from in order to obtain blanks suitable for shaping.

The inventors have also demonstrated that it was possible to take advantage of the microstructure according to the invention to produce stamped parts in a particularly advantageous manner according to the following method: firstly the blanks defined above are heated to a temperature T between 400 and 690 ^° C. The holding time at this temperature can be up to 15 minutes without there being any risk that the resistance Rm of the final part decreases below 800 MPa. The heating temperature must be greater than 400 ⁰ C to sufficiently decrease the flow limit of the steel and allow the stamping to follow with little effort, and ensure that the springback of the stamped part is also minimal which allows the manufacture of part with a good geometric precision. This temperature is limited to 69O ⁰ C on the one hand to avoid a partial transformation to austenite heating, which would lead to the formation of quenching constituents on cooling, on the other hand to avoid a softening of the matrix that would lead to a resistance less than 800MPa on the stamped part.

These heated blanks are then stamped in a temperature range of from 350 ° C. to (-20 ° C.) to form a part which is cooled to room temperature. In this way, a "warm" stamping is carried out with the following effects:

- The flow stress of the steel is reduced. This makes it possible to use less powerful stamping presses and / or to make parts that are more difficult to produce than by cold stamping. - The temperature range of warm stamping takes into account the slight decrease in temperature when the blank is removed from the oven and transferred to the stamping press: for a heating temperature of T ⁰ C, stamping can begin at a temperature of (T-20X). The stamping temperature must however be greater than 350 ^° C. in order to limit the springback and the level of residual stresses on the final piece. Compared to a cold stamping, this reduction of the springback allows the manufacture of parts with a better final geometric tolerance. Surprisingly, it has been found that the particular microstructure of the steels according to the invention has a high stability of mechanical properties (strength, elongation) during hot stamping: indeed, a variation of the stamping temperature or cooling speed after stamping, do not lead to a significant modification of the microstructure and precipitates such as carbonitrides.

- In the limit of the conditions of the invention, an unexpected modification or a fluctuation of the parameters of heating (temperature or time of maintenance) or of cooling (more or less perfect contact of the part with the tooling) do not then lead to a rejection of the pieces thus produced.

- During heating and hot stamping, a modification of the M-A compounds possibly present in a small initial amount does not result in a degradation of the mechanical properties. For example, there is no negative influence related to a destabilization of the residual austenite.

- The microstructure after hot stamping is very close to the microstructure before stamping. In this way, if one warms and hot stamps not all of a blank, but only a part (the part to be stamped having been locally heated by a suitable means, for example by induction) the microstructure and the properties of the final piece will be homogeneous in its different parts.

Example 1

Steels have been developed, the composition of which is given in the table below, expressed in percentage by weight. In addition to the steel 1-1 used for the production of sheets according to the invention, the composition of R-1 and R-2 steels used for the manufacture of reference sheets has been indicated for comparison.

Table 1 Compositions of steel (% by weight). I = according to the invention. R = reference Underlined values: Not in accordance with the invention.

Semi-finished products corresponding to the above compositions were heated to 1220 ^° C. and hot rolled to a thickness of 2.3 mm in a field where the structure is entirely austenitic. The manufacturing conditions of these steels (TFL end-of-rolling temperature, V _R cooling rate, T _bo t _> winding temperature) are shown in Table 2.

Table 2 Manufacturing conditions. Underlined values: not in accordance with the invention

The mechanical tensile properties obtained (elastic limit Re, resistance Rm, elongation at break A) were given in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Mechanical characteristics (long direction compared to rolling)

Underlined values: not in accordance with the invention The high values of the mechanical characteristics are obtained both in the long direction and in the transverse direction with respect to rolling for the steels according to the invention.

The microstructure of the steel 11 illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises more than 80% of higher bainite, the remainder consisting of lower bainite and MA compounds. The total content of martensite and residual austenite is less than 5%. The size of the old austenitic grains and bainitic batten bundles is about 10 microns. The limitation of the size of the batten packets and the strong disorientation between the adjacent packets results in a high resistance to the propagation of any microcracks. Due to the small difference in hardness between the various constituents of the microstructure, the steel is not very sensitive to damage during cutting by a mechanical process. The steel sheet R1, having a carbon content too high and a vanadium content too low, has an elongation insufficient rupture. The R2 steel has a carbon content and phosphorus too high, its winding temperature is also too low. As a result, its elongation at break is also significantly less than 10%. LASER autogenous welded joints were made under the following conditions: power: 4.5kW, welding speed: 2.5m / min. The elongation in the long direction of the LASER welds of the steel 1-1 is 17%, whereas it is 10 and 13% respectively for the R-1 and R-2 steels. These values lead, particularly for steel R1, to difficulties in stamping welded joints. Steel sheets 11 according to the invention were also galvanized under the following conditions: after heating at 68O ⁰ C, the sheets were cooled to 455 ° C and then quenched continuously in a Zn bath at this temperature and finally cooled to room temperature. The mechanical characteristics of the galvanized sheets are as follows: Re = 824 MPa, Rm = 879 MPa, A = 12%. These properties are virtually identical to those of the uncoated sheet, which indicates that the microstructure of the steels according to the invention is very stable vis-à-vis the thermal cycles of galvanization. Example 2

A steel sheet 1-1, made using the parameters defined in Table 2 for this steel, was cut to obtain blanks. After heating at temperatures T of 400 ^° C. or 690 ^° C., keeping at these temperatures for 7 or 10 minutes and hot-drawing at temperatures of 350 ^° C. or 640 ^° C. respectively, the parts obtained were cooled to a speed V _'R 25 ° C / sec 100 ° C / s to room temperature. The speed V ' _R denotes the average speed of cooling between the temperature T and the ambient temperature. The mechanical strength Rm of the parts thus obtained is indicated in Table 4:

Table 4: Resistance Rm obtained after hot stamping under various conditions

The stamped parts according to the conditions of the invention thus have a low sensitivity to a variation of the manufacturing conditions: after heating at 400 ^° C., the final resistance varies little (10 MPa) when the duration of the heating and / or the speed of the cooling are modified. Even for heating at 690 ^° C., the resistance of the piece obtained is greater than 800 MPa.

Compared to the initial microstructure, there is a slight additional precipitation of carbides. The structure is substantially identical to that of the unembossed sheet with moderate, as illustrated in Figure 3 on a heated room at 400 ⁰ C for 7 minutes and then pressed at 38O ⁰ C. Thus, the invention allows the manufacture of laminations or pieces of bainitic matrix steels without excessive addition of expensive elements. These combine high strength and high ductility. The steel sheets according to the invention are used profitably for the manufacture of structural parts or reinforcement elements in the automotive field and general industry.

Claims

1. Sheet or piece of hot-rolled steel with a resistance greater than 800 MPa, elongation at break greater than 10%, the composition of which comprises the contents being expressed by weight:

0.050% <C <0.090%

1% <Mn <2% 0.015% <Al <0.050%

0.1% ≤ Si <0.3% 0.10% <Mo <0.40%

S <0.010%

P <0.025%

0.003% <N <0.009%

0, 12% <V <0.22% Ti ≤ 0.005%

Nb≤ 0.020% and optionally,

Cr ≤ 0.45% the remainder of the composition consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities resulting from the development, the microstructure of said sheet or said part comprising, in surface fraction, at least 80% of higher bainite, the possible complement consisting of lower bainite, martensite and residual austenite, the sum of the martensite and residual austenite contents being less than 5%

2. Steel sheet or part according to claim 1, characterized in that the composition of said steel comprises, the content being expressed by weight:

0.050% <C <0.070%

3. Sheet steel or part according to claim 1, characterized in that the composition of said steel comprises, the content being expressed in weight:

0.070% <C <0.090%

4. Sheet steel or part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the composition of said steel comprises, the content being expressed by weight:

1.4% <Mn <1.8%

5. Sheet steel or part according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the composition of said steel comprises, the content being expressed by weight:

0.020% <Al ≤ 0.040%

6. Sheet steel or part according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the composition of said steel comprises, the content being expressed by weight:

0.12% ≤ V ≤ 0.16%

7. Sheet steel or part according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the composition of said steel comprises, the content being expressed by weight:

0.18% <Mo <0.30%

8. Sheet steel or part according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the composition of said steel comprises, the content being expressed by weight:

Nb <0.005%

9. Sheet steel or part according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the composition of said steel comprises, the content being expressed by weight:

0.20% <Cr <0.45%

10. Sheet or piece of steel according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that said sheet or said part is coated with a coating based on zinc or aluminum-based.

11. Steel part with a composition and a microstructure according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that it results from a process comprising heating at a temperature T between 400 and 690 ⁰ C and a stamping warm to a temperature range between 350 ⁰ C and (T-20 ° C), then cooling to room temperature

12. Welded assembly made from at least one sheet or piece of steel according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the at least one sheet or piece is welded by high density beam of energy

13. A method of manufacturing a hot-rolled steel sheet with a resistance greater than 800 MPa and a tensile elongation greater than 10%, wherein:

a steel of composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 is supplied,

- the casting of a half-product from this steel,

said half-product is brought to a temperature above 1150 ^° C., said semi-finished product is hot-rolled to a temperature T _F L, in a temperature range where the microstructure of the steel is entirely austenitic so to get a sheet and then

said sheet is cooled so that the cooling rate V _R is between 75 and 200 ° C./s, and then said sheet is reeled at a temperature T _bOb of between 500 and

600 ⁰ C

14. Process for producing a hot-rolled steel sheet according to the claim 13 characterized in that the end of rolling temperature TFL is between 870 and 93O ⁰ C

15. A method of manufacturing a hot-rolled steel sheet according to claim 13 or 14 characterized in that the cooling rate VR is between 80 and 150 ° C / sec.

16. A method of manufacture according to which a sheet manufactured according to any one of claims 13 to 15 is etched, then optionally skin-passed, then coated with zinc or zinc alloy, or aluminum or aluminum alloy. 'aluminum

17. A method of manufacturing a steel sheet according to claim 16, characterized in that said coating is made continuously soaking

18. A method of manufacturing a stamped part warm, characterized in that:

a steel sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is provided, or manufactured by a method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, and then

said sheet is cut to obtain a blank, and then

said blank is partially or completely heated to a temperature T of between 400 and 690 ^° C., where a maintenance lasting less than 15 minutes is carried out, so as to obtain a heated blank, and then

said heated blank is pressed at a temperature between 350 and T-20 ° C., to obtain a part, then

said part is cooled to ambient temperature with a speed V _R

19 Manufacturing method according to claim 18 characterized in that the speed VR is between 25 and 100 ° C / s Use of a hot-rolled steel sheet as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10 or manufactured by a process according to any one of claims 13 to 19 for the manufacture of structural parts or structural elements. reinforcement, in the automotive field.