EP4656756A1 - Steel sheet, member, and methods for producing same - Google Patents

Steel sheet, member, and methods for producing same

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Publication number
EP4656756A1
EP4656756A1 EP23930853.9A EP23930853A EP4656756A1 EP 4656756 A1 EP4656756 A1 EP 4656756A1 EP 23930853 A EP23930853 A EP 23930853A EP 4656756 A1 EP4656756 A1 EP 4656756A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
less
good
steel sheet
steel
temperature
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP23930853.9A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Junya TOBATA
Hideyuki Kimura
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
JFE Steel Corp
Original Assignee
JFE Steel Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by JFE Steel Corp filed Critical JFE Steel Corp
Publication of EP4656756A1 publication Critical patent/EP4656756A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C38/00Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/04Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing manganese
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C38/00Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/06Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing aluminium
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21DMODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D1/00General methods or devices for heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering
    • C21D1/18Hardening; Quenching with or without subsequent tempering
    • C21D1/19Hardening; Quenching with or without subsequent tempering by interrupted quenching
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21DMODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D1/00General methods or devices for heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering
    • C21D1/18Hardening; Quenching with or without subsequent tempering
    • C21D1/25Hardening, combined with annealing between 300 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius, i.e. heat refining ("Vergüten")
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21DMODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D1/00General methods or devices for heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering
    • C21D1/26Methods of annealing
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21DMODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D6/00Heat treatment of ferrous alloys
    • C21D6/005Heat treatment of ferrous alloys containing Mn
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21DMODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D8/00Modifying the physical properties of ferrous metals or ferrous alloys by deformation combined with, or followed by, heat treatment
    • C21D8/02Modifying the physical properties of ferrous metals or ferrous alloys by deformation combined with, or followed by, heat treatment during manufacturing of plates or strips
    • C21D8/0247Modifying the physical properties of ferrous metals or ferrous alloys by deformation combined with, or followed by, heat treatment during manufacturing of plates or strips characterised by the heat treatment
    • C21D8/0273Final recrystallisation annealing
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21DMODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D9/00Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor
    • C21D9/46Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor for sheet metals
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C38/00Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/002Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing In, Mg, or other elements not provided for in one single group C22C38/001 - C22C38/60
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C38/00Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/005Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing rare earths, i.e. Sc, Y, Lanthanides
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C38/00Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/008Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing tin
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C38/00Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/02Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing silicon
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C38/00Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/08Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing nickel
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C38/00Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/10Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing cobalt
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C38/00Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/12Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, vanadium, or niobium
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C38/00Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/14Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing titanium or zirconium
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C38/00Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/16Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing copper
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C38/00Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/18Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium
    • C22C38/38Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium with more than 1.5% by weight of manganese
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C38/00Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/60Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing lead, selenium, tellurium, or antimony, or more than 0.04% by weight of sulfur
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21DMODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D2211/00Microstructure comprising significant phases
    • C21D2211/001Austenite
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21DMODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D2211/00Microstructure comprising significant phases
    • C21D2211/005Ferrite
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21DMODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D2211/00Microstructure comprising significant phases
    • C21D2211/008Martensite

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a steel sheet, a member using the steel sheet as material, and methods of producing same.
  • Steel sheets used as material for automotive parts are also required to have excellent dimensional accuracy when formed into parts (hereinafter also referred to simply as dimensional accuracy).
  • dimensional accuracy For example, in automotive frame parts such as bumpers, it is possible to suppress springback and improve dimensional accuracy by controlling the yield ratio (hereinafter also referred to as YR) of the steel to a certain range.
  • YR yield ratio
  • Patent Literature (PTL) 1 describes:
  • [%S] and [%N] indicate S and N content, in mass%, in the steel, respectively.
  • excellent delayed fracture resistance means that a time to delayed fracture when cold press forming involving shearing and punching is:
  • the time to delayed fracture is the time from the start of immersion to the beginning of the formation of microcracks when immersed in hydrochloric acid (hydrogen chloride aqueous solution) with a pH of 1 at an aqueous solution temperature of 20 °C.”
  • Automotive parts particularly automotive frame parts, have many end faces formed by shearing (hereinafter also referred to as sheared end faces). Therefore, steel sheets used as material for automotive parts are also required to have excellent delayed fracture resistance after shearing. Delayed fracture is a phenomenon that leads to failure as follows. When a part is subjected to high stress due to forming or the like and is placed in a hydrogen entry environment, hydrogen enters the part. Hydrogen that enters into a part causes a decrease in interatomic bonding strength and causes localized deformation. This causes microcracks to form in the part, which eventually leads to failure when the microcracks propagate.
  • Delayed fracture resistance is affected by the morphology of sheared end faces. Further, the shape of a sheared end face is affected by a shear angle during shearing (hereinafter also referred to simply as the shear angle). That is, the delayed fracture resistance is affected by the shear angle. For example, even when parts are made from the same steel sheet, when the shear angle is outside an appropriate range, delayed fracture resistance will decrease.
  • the shear angle is an angle between upper and lower blades used in shearing (blade angle).
  • shear angle range the range of the shear angle at which excellent delayed fracture resistance of the steel sheet after shearing is obtainable
  • TS is measured by a tensile test in accordance with JIS Z 2241:2022.
  • Excellent dimensional accuracy means that the YR is 65 % or more and 85 % or less.
  • YS is yield stress, which, like TS, is measured by a tensile test in accordance with JIS Z 2241:2022.
  • Excellent shear angle range means that an appropriate range of the shear angle at which delayed fracture does not occur when load stress is 1000 MPa is 0° to 0.5° or more.
  • a steel sheet having a TS of 1180 MPa or more and excellent dimensional accuracy and shear angle range is obtainable. Further, the steel sheet of the present disclosure can be applied to a wider range of automotive part materials, which can further improve fuel efficiency by decreasing automotive body weight, thereby greatly contributing to decreasing CO 2 emissions. Therefore, the industrial utility value is extremely high.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the definition of prior y grain boundary occupancy rate.
  • C is an important basic component of steel.
  • C is an important element that affects the area fraction of tempered martensite.
  • C content is less than 0.030 %, the area fraction of tempered martensite decreases, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult.
  • the C content exceeds 0.500 %, tempered martensite becomes brittle, and achieving excellent shear angle range becomes difficult.
  • the C content is therefore 0.030 % or more and 0.500 % or less.
  • the C content is preferably 0.050 % or more.
  • the C content is more preferably 0.100 % or more.
  • the C content is preferably 0.400 % or less.
  • the C content is more preferably 0.350 % or less.
  • Si is an important basic component of steel.
  • Si suppresses carbide formation during annealing and promotes formation of retained austenite. That is, Si is an important element that affects the area fraction of retained austenite.
  • Si content is less than 0.010 %, achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult.
  • the Si content exceeds 2.500 %, retained austenite increases excessively, and achieving excellent shear angle range becomes difficult.
  • the Si content is therefore 0.010 % or more and 2.500 % or less.
  • the Si content is preferably 0.050 % or more.
  • the Si content is more preferably 0.100 % or more.
  • the Si content is preferably 2.000 % or less.
  • the Si content is more preferably 1.200 % or less.
  • Mn is an important basic component of steel.
  • Mn is an important element that affects the area fraction of tempered martensite and shear angle range.
  • Mn content is less than 0.10 %, the area fraction of tempered martensite decreases, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult.
  • Mn content exceeds 5.00 %, tempered martensite becomes embrittled, and achieving excellent shear angle range becomes difficult.
  • the Mn content is therefore 0.10 % or more and 5.00 % or less.
  • the Mn content is preferably 0.50 % or more.
  • the Mn content is more preferably 0.80 % or more.
  • the Mn content is preferably 4.50 % or less.
  • the Mn content is more preferably 4.00 % or less.
  • P segregates at prior austenite grain boundaries, embrittling grain boundaries and becoming the initiation point of delayed fracture. Therefore, when P content is excessive, achieving an excellent shear angle range becomes difficult.
  • the P content is therefore 0.100 % or less.
  • the P content is preferably 0.070 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the P content is not particularly specified.
  • P is a solid-solution-strengthening element and can increase steel sheet strength. The P content is therefore preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • the S content is therefore 0.0200 % or less.
  • the S content is preferably 0.0050 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the S content is not particularly specified. However, in view of production technology constraints, the S content is preferably 0.0001 % or more.
  • N exists as nitrides and becomes initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, when N content is excessive, achieving an excellent shear angle range becomes difficult.
  • the N content is therefore 0.0100 % or less.
  • the N content is preferably 0.0050 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the N content is not particularly specified. However, in view of production technology constraints, the N content is preferably 0.0001 % or more.
  • O exists as oxides and becomes initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, when O content is excessive, achieving an excellent shear angle range becomes difficult.
  • the O content is therefore 0.0100 % or less.
  • the O content is preferably 0.0050 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the O content is not particularly specified. However, in view of production technology constraints, the O content is preferably 0.0001 % or more.
  • Al exists as oxides and becomes initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, when Al content is excessive, achieving an excellent shear angle range becomes difficult.
  • the Al content is therefore 1.000 % or less.
  • the Al content is preferably 0.500 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the Al content is not particularly specified. However, in view of production technology constraints, the Al content is preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a chemical composition including the basic composition above, with the balance being Fe (iron) and inevitable impurity.
  • the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure preferably has a chemical composition consisting of the basic composition above, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity.
  • the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may contain one or more elements selected from the following as optional additive elements, either alone or in combination.
  • each of Ti, Nb, and V are 0.200 % or less, these elements do not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Ti, Nb, and V are included, the content of each is preferably 0.200 % or less.
  • the content of each of Ti, Nb, and V is respectively more preferably 0.100 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the content of each of Ti, Nb, and V is not particularly specified.
  • Ti, Nb, and V increase the strength of steel sheets by forming fine carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides during hot rolling or annealing. Therefore, the content of each of Ti, Nb, and V is respectively preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • each of Ta and W are 0.10 % or less, these elements do not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Ta and W are included, the content of each is preferably 0.10 % or less.
  • the content of each of Ta and W is respectively more preferably 0.08 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the content of each of Ta and W is not particularly specified.
  • Ta and W increase the strength of steel sheets by forming fine carbides, nitrides or carbonitrides during hot rolling or annealing. Therefore, the content of each of Ta and W is respectively preferably 0.01 % or more.
  • the B content is preferably 0.0100 % or less.
  • the B content is more preferably 0.0080 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the B content is not particularly specified.
  • B is an element that segregates at an austenite grain boundary during annealing and improves hardenability.
  • the B content is therefore preferably 0.0003 % or more.
  • each of Cr, Mo, and Ni are 1.00 % or less, these elements do not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Cr, Mo, and Ni are included, the content of each is preferably 1.00 % or less.
  • the content of each of Cr, Mo, and Ni is respectively more preferably 0.80 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the content of each of Cr, Mo, and Ni is not particularly specified.
  • Cr, Mo, and Ni are elements that improve hardenability. Therefore, the content of each of Cr, Mo, and Ni is respectively preferably 0.01 % or more.
  • the Co content is preferably 0.010 % or less.
  • the Co content is more preferably 0.008 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the Co content is not particularly specified.
  • Co is an element that improves hardenability. The Co content is therefore preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • the Cu content is preferably 1.00 % or less.
  • the Cu content is more preferably 0.80 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the Cu content is not particularly specified.
  • Cu is an element that improves hardenability. The Cu content is therefore preferably 0.01 % or more.
  • the Sn content is preferably 0.200 % or less.
  • the Sn content is more preferably 0.100 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the Sn content is not particularly specified.
  • Sn is an element that improves hardenability and is generally also an element that improves corrosion resistance. The Sn content is therefore preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • the Sb content is preferably 0.200 % or less.
  • the Sb content is more preferably 0.100 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the Sb content is not particularly specified.
  • Sb is an element that controls surface layer softening thickness and allows strength adjustment. The Sb content is therefore preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • each of Ca, Mg, and REM are 0.0100 % or less, these elements do not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Ca, Mg, and REM are included, the content of each is preferably 0.0100 % or less.
  • the content of each of Ca, Mg, and REM is respectively more preferably 0.0050 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the content of each of Ca, Mg, and REM is not particularly specified.
  • Ca, Mg, and REM are elements that spheroidize the shape of nitrides and sulfides and improve steel sheet ultimate deformability. Therefore, the content of each of Ca, Mg, and REM is respectively preferably 0.0005 % or more.
  • each of Zr and Te are 0.100 % or less, these elements do not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Zr and Te are included, the content of each is preferably 0.100 % or less.
  • the content of each of Zr and Te is respectively more preferably 0.080 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the content of each of Zr and Te is not particularly specified.
  • Zr and Te are elements that spheroidize the shape of nitrides and sulfides and improve steel sheet ultimate deformability. Therefore, the content of each of Zr and Te is respectively preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • Hf When Hf is 0.10 % or less, this element does not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become an initiation point of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Hf is included, the content is 0.10 % or less.
  • the Hf content is more preferably 0.08 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the Hf content is not particularly specified.
  • Hf is an element that spheroidizes the shape of nitrides and sulfides and improves steel sheet ultimate deformability. The Hf content is therefore preferably 0.01 % or more.
  • Bi is 0.200 % or less
  • this element does not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become an initiation point of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Bi is included, the content is 0.200 % or less.
  • the Bi content is more preferably 0.100 % or less.
  • a lower limit of the Bi content is not particularly specified.
  • Bi is an element that reduces segregation. The Bi content is therefore preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • Fe and inevitable impurity examples include Zn, Pb, As, Ge, Sr, and Cs. Such inevitable impurity is allowed to be included as long as a total amount is 0.100 % or less.
  • the area fraction of each phase is the area ratio occupied by each phase relative to the entire microstructure.
  • the area fraction of tempered martensite is 83 % or more. That is, by making tempered martensite the main phase, in particular by making the area fraction 83 % or more, a TS of 1180 MPa or more is possible to achieve.
  • the area fraction of tempered martensite is therefore 83 % or more.
  • the area fraction of tempered martensite is preferably 85 % or more.
  • the area fraction of tempered martensite is more preferably 87 % or more.
  • An upper limit of the area fraction of tempered martensite is not specifically defined.
  • the area fraction of tempered martensite is, for example, preferably less than 95 %.
  • the area fraction of tempered martensite is more preferably 94 % or less.
  • the area fraction of tempered martensite is even more preferably 93 % or less.
  • the area fraction of retained austenite is less than 3 %. That is, when the area fraction of retained austenite is 3 % or more, achieving excellent shear angle range becomes difficult.
  • One of the causes of decreased shear angle range is that retained austenite transforms into deformation-induced martensite during shearing, resulting in high-hardness martensite, which becomes an initiation point of a fracture.
  • the area fraction of retained austenite is therefore less than 3 %.
  • the area fraction of retained austenite is preferably 1 % or less. A lower limit of the area fraction of retained austenite is not specifically defined.
  • the area fraction of retained austenite may be 0 %.
  • Total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite 5 % or more and less than 15 %
  • the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is more than 5 % and less than 15 %. That is, when the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is 15 % or more, achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult. On the other hand, when the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is less than 5 %, achieving excellent dimensional accuracy becomes difficult. Therefore, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is 5 % or more and less than 15 %.
  • the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is preferably 6 % or more.
  • the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is more preferably 7 % or more.
  • the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is preferably 14 % or less.
  • the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is more preferably 13 % or less.
  • Ferrite and bainitic ferrite may be included individually, or both may be included.
  • the area fraction of residual microstructure other than described above is preferably 5 % or less.
  • Examples of residual microstructure include pearlite, fresh martensite, and acicular ferrite. These residual microstructures may be included as long as the content is 5 % or less, as they do not affect the properties.
  • the area fraction of the residual microstructure may be 0 %.
  • the area fraction of tempered martensite, as well as the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite, is measured, for example, as follows.
  • a sample is cut from the steel sheet such that a thickness cross-section parallel to the rolling direction of the steel sheet (L-section) becomes an observation plane.
  • the observation plane of the sample is then polished.
  • the observation plane of the sample is then corroded with 1 vol% nital to reveal the microstructure.
  • a 1/4 sheet thickness position of the steel sheet (a position corresponding to 1/4 of the sheet thickness in the depth direction from a steel sheet surface) is observed at 2000 ⁇ magnification by SEM for ten fields of view.
  • tempered martensite has fine irregularities in the microstructure and contains carbides in the microstructure.
  • ferrite and bainitic ferrite have a flat microstructure in recessed portions and do not contain carbides.
  • the areas occupied by tempered martensite, as well as ferrite and bainitic ferrite are determined.
  • the area occupied by tempered martensite, and the area occupied by ferrite and bainitic ferrite are each divided by the total area of the observed field of view and multiplied by 100. Then, the average values of these are taken as the area fraction of tempered martensite and the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite, respectively.
  • the microstructure of steel sheets is normally approximately vertically symmetrical in the thickness direction. Therefore, any one surface of the steel sheet (front or back) can be set as an initiation point of a thickness position (sheet thickness 0 position), such as the 1/4 sheet thickness position or a depth of 100 ⁇ m from the steel sheet surface.
  • the area fraction of retained austenite is measured as follows.
  • the steel sheet is mechanically ground to a depth of 1/4 - 0.1 mm so that the 1/4 sheet thickness position of the steel sheet becomes the observation position, and then further polished by 0.1 mm by chemical polishing.
  • an integrated intensity of the diffraction peaks of bcc iron ⁇ 200 ⁇ , ⁇ 211 ⁇ , and ⁇ 220 ⁇ is compared to that of fcc iron (austenite) ⁇ 200 ⁇ , ⁇ 220 ⁇ , and ⁇ 311 ⁇ using Co K ⁇ radiation with an X-ray diffractometer.
  • a volume fraction of retained austenite is then calculated from the ratio of the integrated intensity of each plane. Then, assuming that the retained austenite is uniform in three dimensions, the volume fraction of the retained austenite is taken as the area fraction of retained austenite.
  • the area fraction of the residual microstructure is determined by subtracting the area fraction of tempered martensite, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite, and the area fraction of retained austenite from 100 %.
  • Area fraction of residual microstructure (%)] 100 - [area fraction of tempered martensite (%)] - [total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite (%)] - [area fraction of retained austenite (%)]
  • Prior y grain boundary occupancy rate 20 % or more
  • prior y grain boundary occupancy rate 20 % or more in order to realize an excellent shear angle range.
  • Prior austenite grain hereinafter also referred to as prior y grain
  • Prior austenite grain (hereinafter also referred to as prior y grain) boundaries become initiation points of delayed fracture.
  • the prior y grain boundaries are occupied by soft ferrite and bainitic ferrite, and in particular that the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate is 20 % or more. This makes it possible to minimize the effect of the shear angle during shearing and suppress the occurrence of delayed fracture, thereby achieving an excellent shear angle range.
  • the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate is therefore 20 % or more.
  • the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate is preferably 22 % or more.
  • the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate is more preferably 24 % or more. There is no particular upper limit to the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate.
  • the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate may be 100 %.
  • the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate is determined, for example, as follows (see FIG. 1 ).
  • One prior y grain confirmed in an observation image in measurement of the area fraction of tempered martensite and the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is hereinafter also referred to as the prior y grain.
  • the total circumferential length of the prior y grain (the circumference of the prior y grain, which is the sum of the solid line (prior austenite grain boundary not occupied by ferrite or bainitic ferrite) and the dotted line in FIG. 1 , hereinafter also referred to as L T ) is measured.
  • the length of the interface between the prior y grain and the ferrite and bainitic ferrite in contact with the prior y grain (the sum of the prior y grain boundary length of the dotted lines in FIG.
  • Prior y grain boundary occupancy rate of the prior y grain (L F /L T ) ⁇ 100
  • This measurement is performed on 30 prior y grains in order from the closest to the prior y grain, and the average of the prior y grain boundary occupancy rates measured for each prior y grain is regarded as the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate of the steel sheet being measured.
  • L T and L F are measured, for example, as follows.
  • a sample is cut from the steel sheet such that a thickness cross-section parallel to the rolling direction of the steel sheet (L-section) becomes an observation plane.
  • the observation plane of the sample is then polished.
  • the observation plane of the sample is then corroded with 1 vol% nital to reveal the microstructure.
  • a 1/4 sheet thickness position of the steel sheet (a position corresponding to 1/4 of the sheet thickness in the depth direction from a steel sheet surface) is observed at 2000 ⁇ magnification by SEM. From the obtained microstructure image, L T and L F are measured using an object function of Adobe Illustrator.
  • the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a coated or plated layer on a surface.
  • the coated or plated layer may be on only one surface of the steel sheet or may be on both surfaces.
  • the coated or plated layer is not particularly limited.
  • a galvanized layer with Zn as the main component Zn content of 50.0 mass% or more
  • examples of galvanized layers include hot-dip galvanized layers, galvannealed layers, and electrogalvanized layers.
  • a steel sheet that has a galvanized layer may also be referred to as a galvanized steel sheet.
  • a steel sheet that has a hot-dip galvanized layer, a galvannealed layer, or an electrogalvanized layer may also be referred to as a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet (GI), a galvannealed steel sheet (GA), or an electrogalvanized steel sheet (EG), respectively.
  • GI hot-dip galvanized steel sheet
  • GA galvannealed steel sheet
  • EG electrogalvanized steel sheet
  • Coated or plated layers other than galvanized layers may include aluminum coated or plated layers and alloy coated or plated layers.
  • alloy coated or plated layers examples include hot-dip zinc-aluminum-magnesium alloy coated layers and Zn-Ni electroplated alloy layers.
  • coating weight per side of the coated or plated layer is not particularly limited.
  • the coating weight per side of the coated or plated layer is preferably 20 g/m 2 or more.
  • the coating weight per side is preferably 80 g/m 2 or less.
  • the thickness of the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is not particularly limited.
  • the thickness of the steel sheet is preferably 0.50 mm or more.
  • the thickness of the steel sheet is preferably 2.50 mm or less.
  • the member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a member formed using the steel sheet described above as a material.
  • the material, the steel sheet is subjected to at least one of a forming process or a joining process to make the member.
  • the steel sheet has a TS of 1180 MPa or more, and also has excellent dimensional accuracy and shear angle range. Therefore, the member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is particularly suitable for application as a material for automotive parts. This allows for improved fuel efficiency due to an automotive body weight decrease, which can greatly contribute to a decrease in CO 2 emissions.
  • the following describes a method of producing a steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • each of the temperatures above refers to a surface temperature of the steel sheet. Further, the average heating rate and the average cooling rate are based on the surface temperature of the steel sheet, unless otherwise specified.
  • a blank sheet having the chemical composition described above is prepared.
  • a blank sheet can be prepared by hot rolling a steel slab into a hot-rolled steel sheet, then subjecting the hot-rolled steel sheet to optional pickling and heat treatment, and then cold rolling to obtain a cold-rolled steel sheet.
  • the conditions of these processes are not particularly limited and may follow a conventional method.
  • a method of smelting the steel slab may be any known method, such as by use of a converter, an electric furnace, or the like.
  • the steel slab is preferably smelted by continuous casting to help prevent macro-segregation.
  • hot rolling examples include methods such as rolling the steel slab after heating, direct rolling the steel slab after continuous casting without heating, and rolling the steel slab after applying a short heating treatment following continuous casting.
  • slab heating temperature, slab soaking duration, and coiling temperature in hot rolling are not particularly limited.
  • the slab heating temperature is preferably 1100 °C or more.
  • the slab heating temperature is preferably 1300 °C or less.
  • the slab soaking duration is preferably 30 min or more.
  • the slab soaking duration is preferably 250 min or less.
  • the rolling finish temperature is preferably the Ar 3 transformation temperature or more.
  • the coiling temperature is preferably 350 °C or more.
  • the coiling temperature is preferably 650 °C or less.
  • the Ar 3 transformation temperature is determined by the following expression.
  • Ar 3 transformation temperature (°C) 868 - 396 ⁇ [%C] + 24.6 ⁇ [%Si] - 68.1 ⁇ [%Mn] - 36.1 ⁇ [%Ni] - 20.7 ⁇ [%Cu] - 24.8 ⁇ [%Cr]
  • [%element symbol] in the above expression represents the content in mass% of the element in the chemical composition described above.
  • Pickling is capable of removing oxides from the surface of the hot-rolled steel sheet, and is preferably carried out to secure good chemical convertibility and coating quality in the final steel sheet product. Pickling may be carried out in one or more batches. Further, the hot-rolled steel sheet after pickling may be subjected to heat treatment.
  • the total rolling reduction in the cold rolling is preferably 30 % or more.
  • the total rolling reduction in the cold rolling is preferably 80 % or less. The defined effect can be obtained without limiting the number of rolling passes or the rolling reduction for each pass.
  • the blank sheet prepared in the preparation process is heated to the maximum arrival temperature T1 under a set of conditions including an average heating rate of 5.0 °C/s or less in the temperature range of 700 °C to 750 °C.
  • the average heating rate in the temperature range of 700 °C to 750 °C affects the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate. That is, by setting the average heating rate to 5.0 °C/s or less, the dissolution of carbides is promoted. This refines the prior y grains, contributing to an increase in the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate. As a result, the shear angle range is improved. Accordingly, the average heating rate is 5.0 °C/s or less. The average heating rate is preferably 3.0 °C/s or less. A lower limit of the average heating rate is not specifically defined. For example, the average heating rate is preferably 0.1 °C/s or more.
  • the maximum arrival temperature T1 When the maximum arrival temperature T1 is less than 800 °C, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite becomes 15 % or more, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult. On the other hand, when the maximum arrival temperature T1 exceeds 900 °C, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite becomes less than 5 %, making achieving excellent dimensional accuracy of parts difficult.
  • the maximum arrival temperature T1 is therefore 800 °C or more and 900 °C or less.
  • the maximum arrival temperature T1 is preferably 810 °C or more.
  • the maximum arrival temperature T1 is preferably 890 °C or less.
  • processing may immediately proceed to the cooling process described later, or the maximum arrival temperature T1 may be held for a certain period of time, for example, 1.0 s to 5.0 s, before proceeding to the cooling process.
  • the blank sheet is then cooled under a set of conditions including an average cooling rate in a temperature range from the maximum arrival temperature T1 to the intermediate holding temperature T2 of 0.10 °C/s or more and 5.00 °C/s or less.
  • first average cooling rate 0.10 °C/s or more and 5.00 °C/s or less
  • the first average cooling rate is less than 0.10 °C/s, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite becomes 15 % or more, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult.
  • the first average cooling rate is therefore 0.10 °C/s or more and 5.00 °C/s or less.
  • the first average cooling rate is preferably 0.20 °C/s or more.
  • the first average cooling rate is preferably 3.00 °C/s or less.
  • the first cooling end temperature may be 600 °C or more and 750 °C or less.
  • the first cooling end temperature may be the intermediate holding temperature T2.
  • the blank sheet is then held under a set of conditions including the intermediate holding temperature T2 being 600 °C or more and 750 °C or less,
  • the intermediate holding temperature T2 When the intermediate holding temperature T2 is less than 600 °C, transformation of ferrite and bainitic ferrite from places other than prior y grain boundaries may be promoted. Therefore, it becomes difficult to make the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate 20 % or more, and it also becomes difficult to realize an excellent shear angle range. On the other hand, when the intermediate holding temperature T2 exceeds 750 °C, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite becomes less than 5 %, making it difficult to achieve excellent dimensional accuracy of parts.
  • the intermediate holding temperature T2 is therefore 600 °C or more and 750 °C or less.
  • the intermediate holding temperature T2 is preferably 610 °C or more.
  • the intermediate holding temperature T2 is preferably 740 °C or less.
  • the intermediate holding temperature here refers to the holding temperature in the intermediate holding process.
  • the intermediate holding temperature may be constant during holding. Further, the intermediate holding temperature is the temperature range of 600 °C or more and 750 °C or less, and when temperature fluctuation is within ⁇ 10 °C of the set temperature, the annealing temperature does not have to be constant during holding.
  • the intermediate holding time t2 is less than 1.0 s (including a case where no intermediate holding is carried out), the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate becomes less than 20 %, making it impossible to realize an excellent shear angle range.
  • the intermediate holding time t2 exceeds 2000.0 s, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite becomes 15 % or more, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult.
  • the intermediate holding time t2 is therefore 1.0 s or longer and 2000.0 s or shorter.
  • the intermediate holding time t2 is preferably 10.0 s or longer.
  • the intermediate holding time t2 is preferably 1500.0 s or shorter.
  • the intermediate holding time t2 is a holding time at the intermediate holding temperature T2.
  • the inventors have found that applying tension to the blank sheet during intermediate holding affects the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate.
  • a tension to the blank sheet hereinafter also referred to simply as applied tension
  • the applied tension is 5 MPa or more.
  • the applied tension is preferably 10 MPa or more.
  • An upper limit of the applied tension is not specifically defined.
  • the applied tension is, for example, preferably 100 MPa or less.
  • a coating or plating treatment may be applied to the blank sheet between the intermediate holding process and the second cooling process described below. Details about the coating or plating treatment are described later.
  • the blank sheet is cooled under a set of conditions including an average cooling rate in a temperature range from 300 °C to 100 °C of 300 °C/s or more, to the second cooling end temperature.
  • the second average cooling rate is less than 300 °C/s, the area fraction of retained austenite becomes 3 % or more, making it difficult to achieve an excellent shear angle range.
  • the second average cooling rate is therefore 300 °C/s or more.
  • the second average cooling rate is preferably 800 °C/s or more.
  • An upper limit of the second average cooling rate is not specifically defined.
  • the second average cooling rate is preferably 2000 °C/s or less.
  • the second cooling end temperature may be, for example, less than 100 °C. Further, the second cooling end temperature may be, for example, around room temperature.
  • the blank sheet is tempered under a set of conditions including the tempering temperature T3 being 100 °C or more and 400 °C or less, and the tempering time t3 being 10 s or longer and 10,000 s or shorter.
  • Tempered martensite is formed by tempering treatment, where martensite is tempered.
  • the tempering temperature T3 is less than 100 °C, martensite is not sufficiently tempered, resulting in a microstructure mainly composed of quenched martensite. In such a microstructure mainly composed of quenched martensite, excellent shear angle range cannot be obtained.
  • the tempering temperature T3 exceeds 400 °C, tempering of martensite progresses excessively, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult.
  • the tempering temperature T3 is therefore 100 °C or more and 400 °C or less.
  • the tempering temperature T3 is preferably 150 °C or more.
  • the tempering temperature T3 is preferably 350 °C or less.
  • the tempering temperature referred to here is the holding temperature during the tempering process.
  • the tempering temperature may be constant during holding. Further, the tempering temperature is in the range from 100 °C or more to 400 °C or less, and when temperature fluctuation is within ⁇ 10 °C of the set temperature, the tempering temperature does not have to be constant during holding.
  • tempered martensite is formed by tempering treatment, where martensite is tempered.
  • the tempering time t3 is shorter than 10 s, martensite is not sufficiently tempered, resulting in a microstructure mainly composed of quenched martensite. In such a microstructure mainly composed of quenched martensite, excellent shear angle range cannot be obtained.
  • the tempering time t3 exceeds 10,000 s, tempering of martensite progresses excessively, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult. Accordingly, the tempering time t3 is 10 s or longer and 10,000 s or shorter.
  • the tempering time t3 is preferably 50 s or longer.
  • the tempering time t3 is preferably 5000 s or shorter.
  • the tempering time t3 refers to the holding time at the tempering temperature T3.
  • the cooling after tempering is not specifically defined. For example, it is sufficient to cool by any method according to a conventional method.
  • the cooling end temperature after tempering may be, for example, around room temperature.
  • the blank sheet may be worked under conditions that result in an equivalent plastic strain of 0.10 % or more and 5.00 % or less. Further, after the working, the blank sheet may be reheated to a temperature of 100 °C or more and 400 °C or less.
  • the blank sheet may be subjected to a coating or plating treatment. Details about the coating or plating treatment are described below.
  • the blank sheet may be subjected to coating or plating treatment.
  • Coating or plating treatment is not particularly limited.
  • coating or plating treatment include galvanizing treatment such as hot-dip galvanizing treatment, galvannealing treatment, and electrogalvanization treatment.
  • examples of coating or plating treatment include aluminum coating or plating treatment and alloy coating or plating treatment.
  • alloy coating or plating treatment include hot-dip zinc-aluminum-magnesium alloy coating treatment and Zn-Ni electro-alloy plating treatment. Treatment conditions may follow conventional methods.
  • the coating or plating treatment is preferably carried out between the intermediate holding process and the second cooling process, or after the tempering process.
  • hot-dip galvanizing treatment or galvannealing treatment is preferably carried out between the intermediate holding process and the second cooling process.
  • electrogalvanization treatment or Zn-Ni electro-alloy plating treatment is preferably carried out after the tempering process.
  • the series of treatments including the heating process and the coating or plating treatment process is preferably carried out on a continuous galvanizing line (CGL).
  • wiping may be carried out for adjusting the coating amount.
  • the blank sheet may be worked under conditions that result in an equivalent plastic strain of 0.10 % or more and 5.00 % or less. Further, after the working, the blank sheet (coated or plated steel sheet) may be reheated to a temperature of 100 °C or more and 400 °C or less.
  • Conditions other than those described above are not particularly limited, and a conventional method may be used.
  • a steel sheet is obtainable that has a TS of 1180 MPa or more and excellent dimensional accuracy and shear angle range.
  • the obtained steel sheet may be suitably used as a material for automotive parts, for example.
  • the steel sheet is typically cooled to room temperature before being traded.
  • the method of producing a member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes process of at least one of forming or joining the steel sheet described above to make the member.
  • a forming method is not particularly limited, and a typical processing method such as press forming may be used, for example.
  • a joining method is also not particularly limited, and for example, typical welding such as spot welding, laser welding, arc welding, and the like, rivet joining, swaging joining, and the like may be used.
  • Forming and joining conditions are not particularly limited and may follow a conventional method.
  • some of the steel sheets (those listed as GI, GA, and EG in Table 2) were subjected to coating or plating treatment. Among these, for those listed as GI and GA in Table 2, coating treatment was carried out between the intermediate holding process and the second cooling process. For those listed as EG in Table 2, plating treatment was carried out after the tempering process. Conditions not specified were followed according to conventional methods.
  • a JIS No. 5 test piece (gauge length: 50 mm, parallel portion width: 25 mm) was taken so that the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction of the steel sheet was the longitudinal direction of the test piece.
  • a tensile test was conducted according to JIS Z 2241:2022 using the test piece, and TS and YS were measured.
  • the crosshead speed was set to 1.67 ⁇ 10 -1 mm/s.
  • the TS was evaluated according to the following criteria:
  • YR 100 ⁇ YS / TS
  • the dimensional accuracy was evaluated according to the following criteria:
  • the obtained steel sheets were each sheared into a size of 16 mm ⁇ 75 mm with the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the rolling direction to prepare test pieces.
  • the clearance during shearing was set to 15 % in each case.
  • the shear angle during shearing was changed in increments of 0.25° within a range of 0° to 2.0°.
  • a four-point bending test was carried out in accordance with ASTM (G39-99), and a stress of 1000 MPa was applied to the tip of the bend test piece.
  • the test piece was immersed in hydrochloric acid of pH 3 at 25 °C for 100 h. After immersion, each test piece was visually inspected for the presence or absence of cracks.
  • the shear angle range was evaluated according to the following criteria.
  • the appropriate range of shear angle versus delayed fracture was the range of shear angles at which no cracks were observed in the test pieces in the test described above. For example, when no cracks were observed in any of the test pieces prepared with shear angles of 0° to 0.75° during shearing, but cracks were observed in the test pieces prepared with a shear angle of 1.00° or more during shearing, then the appropriate range of shear angles versus delayed fracture was "0° to 0.75°", and the test piece was evaluated as "Good (pass, very good)".

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Abstract

Provided is a steel sheet having a TS of 1180 MPa or more, and also excellent dimensional accuracy and shear angle range. The steel sheet has a defined chemical composition and a microstructure where an area fraction of tempered martensite is 83 % or more, an area fraction of retained austenite is less than 3 %, a total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is 5 % or more and less than 15 %, and a prior y grain boundary occupancy rate of 20 % or more.

Description

    TECHNICAL FIELD
  • The present disclosure relates to a steel sheet, a member using the steel sheet as material, and methods of producing same.
  • BACKGROUND
  • Higher strength steel sheets as material for automotive parts are being developed to both decrease CO2 emissions by decreasing automobile body weight and improve crashworthiness. Further, new laws and regulations are being introduced one after another. As a result, in the main structural parts of automobiles (hereinafter also referred to as automotive frame parts), the application of steel sheets that have a tensile strength (hereinafter also referred to as TS) of 1180 MPa or more is increasing.
  • Steel sheets used as material for automotive parts are also required to have excellent dimensional accuracy when formed into parts (hereinafter also referred to simply as dimensional accuracy). For example, in automotive frame parts such as bumpers, it is possible to suppress springback and improve dimensional accuracy by controlling the yield ratio (hereinafter also referred to as YR) of the steel to a certain range.
  • As a steel sheet used as material for an automotive part, for example, Patent Literature (PTL) 1 describes:
    • "a steel sheet comprising: a chemical composition containing, in mass%,
    • C: 0.09 % or more and 0.37 % or less,
    • Si: more than 0.70 % and 2.00 % or less,
    • Mn: 2.60 % or more and 3.60 % or less,
    • P: 0.001 % or more and 0.100 % or less,
    • S: 0.0200 % or less,
    • Al: 0.010 % or more and 1.000 % or less, and
    • N: 0.0100 % or less, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity; and
    • a steel microstructure that has an area fraction of martensite with a carbon concentration greater than 0.7 × [%C] and less than 1.5 × [%C] of 55 % or more,
    • an area fraction of tempered martensite with a carbon concentration of 0.7 × [%C] or less of 5 % or more and 40 % or less,
    • a ratio of carbon concentration in retained austenite to a volume fraction of retained austenite of 0.05 or more and 0.40 or less, and
    • an average grain size of the martensite and the tempered martensite of 5.3 µm or less, wherein
    • the steel microstructure further has a surface layer softening thickness of 10 µm or more and 100 µm or less, and
    • tensile strength is 1180 MPa or more,
    • where [%C] represents content in mass% of the component element C in the steel."
  • PTL 2 describes:
    • "a cold-rolled steel sheet comprising: a chemical composition containing, in mass%, C: 0.15 % or more and 0.40 % or less, Si: 1.5 % or less, Mn: 0.9 % to 1.7 %, P: 0.03 % or less, S: less than 0.0020 %, sol.Al: 0.2 % or less, N: less than 0.0055 %, and O: 0.0025 % or less, satisfying the relationship of the following expression (1), with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity; and
    • a microstructure wherein an area fraction of tempered martensite and bainite relative to the entire microstructure of 95 % or more and 100 % or less in total,
    • inclusions are composed of one or more inclusion particles having a major axis of 0.3 µm or more, extended and/or distributed in a dotted row pattern in the rolling direction, and when an inclusion is composed of two or more particles, the distance between the inclusion particles is 30 µm or less, where the number of inclusions having a total length of more than 120 µm in the rolling direction is 0.8/mm2 or less,
    • a number of carbides mainly composed of Fe that have an aspect ratio of 2.5 or less with a major axis of 0.20 µm or more and 2 µm or less is 3500/mm2 or less,
    • a number of carbides having a diameter of 10 nm to 50 nm distributed in the tempered martensite and/or the bainite is 0.7 × 107/mm2 or more, and
    • average grain size of prior y grains is 18 µm or less, wherein
    • the cold-rolled steel sheet has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2.6 mm, a tensile strength of 1320 MPa or more, and excellent delayed fracture resistance. 5 % S + % N < 0.0115
  • Here, [%S] and [%N] indicate S and N content, in mass%, in the steel, respectively.
  • Here, excellent delayed fracture resistance means that a time to delayed fracture when cold press forming involving shearing and punching is:
    • more than 200 h when tensile strength is 1320 MPa or more and less than 1530 MPa,
    • 24 h or more when tensile strength is 1530 MPa or more and less than 1550 MPa,
    • 12 h or more when tensile strength is 1550 MPa or more and less than 1570 MPa,
    • 9 h or more when tensile strength is 1570 MPa or more and less than 1610 MPa,
    • 1.0 h or more when tensile strength is 1610 MPa or more and less than 1960 MPa, and
    • 0.2 h or more when tensile strength is 1960 MPa or more.
  • The time to delayed fracture is the time from the start of immersion to the beginning of the formation of microcracks when immersed in hydrochloric acid (hydrogen chloride aqueous solution) with a pH of 1 at an aqueous solution temperature of 20 °C."
  • PTL 3 describes:
    • "a steel sheet comprising: a chemical composition containing, in mass%,
    • C: 0.12 % or more and 0.40 % or less,
    • Si: 0.01 % or more and 1.5 % or less,
    • Mn: more than 1.7 % and 3.5 % or less,
    • P: 0.05 % or less,
    • S: 0.010 % or less,
    • sol.Al: 1.00 % or less,
    • N: 0.010 % or less,
    • B: 0.0002 % or more and 0.0050 % or less, and
    • one or both of Nb and Ti for a total of 0.010 % or more and 0.080 % or less, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity; and
    • a steel microstructure that has a martensite area fraction of 70 % or more, a bainite area fraction of 30 % or less, and a total area fraction of ferrite and retained austenite of 10 % or less, wherein
    • a number density of carbides that have a major axis length of 0.5 µm or more at a 1/4 sheet thickness position of the steel sheet is 60,000/mm2 or less,
    • a number density of inclusion particles that have a circle equivalent diameter of 4.0 µm or more in a range from 1/4 to 3/4 sheet thickness of the steel sheet is 10/mm2 or more and 30/mm2 or less,
    • a number density of inclusion particles that have a circle equivalent diameter of 4.0 µm or more in a range from a surface to 1/4 sheet thickness of the steel sheet is 27/mm2 or less, and
    • tensile strength is 1310 MPa or more."
    CITATION LIST Patent Literature
    • PTL 1: JP 6747612 B2
    • PTL 2: JP 6112261 B2
    • PTL 3: JP 7001197 B2
    SUMMARY (Technical Problem)
  • Automotive parts, particularly automotive frame parts, have many end faces formed by shearing (hereinafter also referred to as sheared end faces). Therefore, steel sheets used as material for automotive parts are also required to have excellent delayed fracture resistance after shearing. Delayed fracture is a phenomenon that leads to failure as follows. When a part is subjected to high stress due to forming or the like and is placed in a hydrogen entry environment, hydrogen enters the part. Hydrogen that enters into a part causes a decrease in interatomic bonding strength and causes localized deformation. This causes microcracks to form in the part, which eventually leads to failure when the microcracks propagate.
  • Delayed fracture resistance is affected by the morphology of sheared end faces. Further, the shape of a sheared end face is affected by a shear angle during shearing (hereinafter also referred to simply as the shear angle). That is, the delayed fracture resistance is affected by the shear angle. For example, even when parts are made from the same steel sheet, when the shear angle is outside an appropriate range, delayed fracture resistance will decrease. The shear angle is an angle between upper and lower blades used in shearing (blade angle).
  • Steel sheets used as material for automotive parts are sheared at various shear angles depending on the required dimensional accuracy, productivity, equipment constraints, and other factors. For this reason, it is also required that an appropriate range of the shear angle versus delayed fracture (that is, the range of the shear angle at which excellent delayed fracture resistance of the steel sheet after shearing is obtainable, hereinafter also referred to as shear angle range) is wide, that is, that the shear angle range of the steel sheet is excellent.
  • However, regarding the steel sheets described in PTL 1 to 3, no consideration is given to shear angle range. Accordingly, there is currently a demand for the development of a steel sheet having a TS of 1180 MPa or more that has excellent dimensional accuracy and shear angle range.
  • In view of the above circumstances, it would be helpful to provide a steel sheet that has a TS of 1180 MPa or more and excellent dimensional accuracy and shear angle range, together with an advantageous method of producing the steel sheet.
  • Further, it would be helpful to provide a member using the steel sheet as a material and a method of producing the member.
  • Here, TS is measured by a tensile test in accordance with JIS Z 2241:2022.
  • Excellent dimensional accuracy means that the YR is 65 % or more and 85 % or less. Here, YR is calculated by the following expression. YR = 100 × YS / TS
  • In this expression, YS is yield stress, which, like TS, is measured by a tensile test in accordance with JIS Z 2241:2022.
  • Excellent shear angle range means that an appropriate range of the shear angle at which delayed fracture does not occur when load stress is 1000 MPa is 0° to 0.5° or more.
  • Details of measurement methods are described in the EXAMPLES section below.
  • (Solution to Problem)
  • The inventors conducted intensive studies to achieve the above, and made the following discoveries:
    1. (A) To obtain a TS of 1180 MPa or more, it is important that the area fraction of tempered martensite is 83 % or more and the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is less than 15 %. This allows for obtaining a TS of 1180 MPa or more while securing defined required properties.
    2. (B) To obtain excellent dimensional accuracy, it is important that the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is 5 % or more. This allows for obtaining excellent dimensional accuracy while securing defined required properties.
    3. (C) To obtain an excellent shear angle range, it is important that an area fraction of retained austenite is less than 3 % and an occupancy rate of prior austenite grain boundaries by ferrite and bainitic ferrite is 20 % or more. This allows for obtaining excellent shear angle range while securing defined required properties.
  • The present disclosure is based on these discoveries and further studies.
  • Primary features of the present disclosure are as follows.
    1. 1. A steel sheet comprising: a chemical composition containing (consisting of), in mass%,
      • C: 0.030 % or more and 0.500 % or less,
      • Si: 0.010 % or more and 2.500 % or less,
      • Mn: 0.10 % or more and 5.00 % or less,
      • P: 0.100 % or less,
      • S: 0.0200 % or less,
      • N: 0.0100 % or less,
      • O: 0.0100 % or less, and
      • Al: 1.000 % or less,
      • with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity; and a steel microstructure wherein
      • area fraction of tempered martensite is 83 % or more,
      • area fraction of retained austenite is less than 3 %,
      • total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is 5 % or more and less than 15 %, and
      • occupancy rate of prior austenite grain boundaries by the ferrite and the bainitic ferrite is 20 % or more.
    2. 2. The steel sheet according to 1, above, wherein the chemical composition further contains, in mass%, at least one selected from the group consisting of
      • Ti: 0.200 % or less,
      • Nb: 0.200 % or less,
      • V: 0.200 % or less,
      • Ta: 0.10 % or less,
      • W: 0.10 % or less,
      • B: 0.0100 % or less,
      • Cr: 1.00 % or less,
      • Mo: 1.00 % or less,
      • Ni: 1.00 % or less,
      • Co: 0.010 % or less,
      • Cu: 1.00 % or less,
      • Sn: 0.200 % or less,
      • Sb: 0.200 % or less,
      • Ca: 0.0100 % or less,
      • Mg: 0.0100 % or less,
      • REM: 0.0100 % or less,
      • Zr: 0.100 % or less,
      • Te: 0.100 % or less,
      • Hf: 0.10 % or less, and
      • Bi: 0.200 % or less.
    3. 3. The steel sheet according to 1 or 2, above, further comprising a coated or plated layer on a surface.
    4. 4. A member formed using the steel sheet according to any one of 1 to 3, above.
    5. 5. A method of producing the steel sheet according to any one of 1 to 3, above, the method comprising:
      • a preparation process of preparing a blank sheet having the chemical composition according to 1 or 2, above;
      • a heating process of heating the blank sheet under a set of conditions including an average heating rate in a temperature range from 700 °C to 750 °C of 5.0 °C/s or less, and
      • a maximum arrival temperature T1 of 800 °C or more and 900 °C or less;
      • a first cooling process of cooling the blank sheet under a set of conditions including an average cooling rate in a temperature range from the maximum arrival temperature T1 to an intermediate holding temperature T2 of 0.10 °C/s or more and 5.00 °C/s or less;
      • an intermediate holding process of holding the blank sheet under a set of conditions including the intermediate holding temperature T2 being 600 °C or more and 750 °C or less,
      • an intermediate holding time t2 of 1.0 s or longer and 2000.0 s or shorter, and
      • a tension applied to the blank sheet of 5 MPa or more;
      • a second cooling process of cooling the blank sheet under a set of conditions including an average cooling rate in a temperature range from 300 °C to 100 °C of 300 °C/s or more,
      • to a second cooling end temperature; and
      • a tempering process of tempering the blank sheet under a set of conditions including a tempering temperature T3 of 100 °C or more and 400 °C or less, and
      • a tempering time t3 of 10 s or longer and 10,000 s or shorter.
    6. 6. The method of producing a steel sheet according to 5, above, further comprising a coating or plating process of applying a coating or plating treatment to the blank sheet between the intermediate holding process and the second cooling process, or after the tempering process.
    7. 7. A method of producing a member, wherein the steel sheet according to any one of 1 to 3, above, is subjected to at least one of a forming process or a joining process to produce the member.
    (Advantageous Effect)
  • According to the present disclosure, a steel sheet having a TS of 1180 MPa or more and excellent dimensional accuracy and shear angle range is obtainable. Further, the steel sheet of the present disclosure can be applied to a wider range of automotive part materials, which can further improve fuel efficiency by decreasing automotive body weight, thereby greatly contributing to decreasing CO2 emissions. Therefore, the industrial utility value is extremely high.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • In the accompanying drawings:
    FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the definition of prior y grain boundary occupancy rate.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • [1] Steel sheet
  • First, the chemical composition of a steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described. Hereinafter, although the unit in all chemical compositions is "mass%", this may be indicated simply as "%", unless otherwise specified.
  • [C: 0.030 % or more and 0.500 % or less]
  • C is an important basic component of steel. In particular, in the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, C is an important element that affects the area fraction of tempered martensite. When C content is less than 0.030 %, the area fraction of tempered martensite decreases, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult. On the other hand, when the C content exceeds 0.500 %, tempered martensite becomes brittle, and achieving excellent shear angle range becomes difficult. The C content is therefore 0.030 % or more and 0.500 % or less. The C content is preferably 0.050 % or more. The C content is more preferably 0.100 % or more. The C content is preferably 0.400 % or less. The C content is more preferably 0.350 % or less.
  • [Si: 0.010 % or more and 2.500 % or less]
  • Si is an important basic component of steel. In particular, in the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Si suppresses carbide formation during annealing and promotes formation of retained austenite. That is, Si is an important element that affects the area fraction of retained austenite. When Si content is less than 0.010 %, achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult. On the other hand, when the Si content exceeds 2.500 %, retained austenite increases excessively, and achieving excellent shear angle range becomes difficult. The Si content is therefore 0.010 % or more and 2.500 % or less. The Si content is preferably 0.050 % or more. The Si content is more preferably 0.100 % or more. The Si content is preferably 2.000 % or less. The Si content is more preferably 1.200 % or less.
  • [Mn: 0.10 % or more and 5.00 % or less]
  • Mn is an important basic component of steel. In particular, in the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Mn is an important element that affects the area fraction of tempered martensite and shear angle range. When Mn content is less than 0.10 %, the area fraction of tempered martensite decreases, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult. On the other hand, when the Mn content exceeds 5.00 %, tempered martensite becomes embrittled, and achieving excellent shear angle range becomes difficult. The Mn content is therefore 0.10 % or more and 5.00 % or less. The Mn content is preferably 0.50 % or more. The Mn content is more preferably 0.80 % or more. The Mn content is preferably 4.50 % or less. The Mn content is more preferably 4.00 % or less.
  • [P: 0.100 % or less]
  • P segregates at prior austenite grain boundaries, embrittling grain boundaries and becoming the initiation point of delayed fracture. Therefore, when P content is excessive, achieving an excellent shear angle range becomes difficult. The P content is therefore 0.100 % or less. The P content is preferably 0.070 % or less. A lower limit of the P content is not particularly specified. However, P is a solid-solution-strengthening element and can increase steel sheet strength. The P content is therefore preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • [S: 0.0200 % or less]
  • S exists as sulfides and becomes initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, when S content is excessive, achieving an excellent shear angle range becomes difficult. The S content is therefore 0.0200 % or less. The S content is preferably 0.0050 % or less. A lower limit of the S content is not particularly specified. However, in view of production technology constraints, the S content is preferably 0.0001 % or more.
  • [N: 0.0100 % or less]
  • N exists as nitrides and becomes initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, when N content is excessive, achieving an excellent shear angle range becomes difficult. The N content is therefore 0.0100 % or less. The N content is preferably 0.0050 % or less. A lower limit of the N content is not particularly specified. However, in view of production technology constraints, the N content is preferably 0.0001 % or more.
  • [O: 0.0100 % or less]
  • O exists as oxides and becomes initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, when O content is excessive, achieving an excellent shear angle range becomes difficult. The O content is therefore 0.0100 % or less. The O content is preferably 0.0050 % or less. A lower limit of the O content is not particularly specified. However, in view of production technology constraints, the O content is preferably 0.0001 % or more.
  • [Al: 1.000 % or less]
  • Al exists as oxides and becomes initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, when Al content is excessive, achieving an excellent shear angle range becomes difficult. The Al content is therefore 1.000 % or less. The Al content is preferably 0.500 % or less. A lower limit of the Al content is not particularly specified. However, in view of production technology constraints, the Al content is preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • Basic chemical composition of the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described above. The steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a chemical composition including the basic composition above, with the balance being Fe (iron) and inevitable impurity. Here, the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure preferably has a chemical composition consisting of the basic composition above, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity. In addition to the basic components described above, the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may contain one or more elements selected from the following as optional additive elements, either alone or in combination.
    • Ti: 0.200 % or less,
    • Nb: 0.200 % or less,
    • V: 0.200 % or less,
    • Ta: 0.10 % or less,
    • W: 0.10 % or less,
    • B: 0.0100 % or less,
    • Cr: 1.00 % or less,
    • Mo: 1.00 % or less,
    • Ni: 1.00 % or less,
    • Co: 0.010 % or less,
    • Cu: 1.00 % or less,
    • Sn: 0.200 % or less,
    • Sb: 0.200 % or less,
    • Ca: 0.0100 % or less,
    • Mg: 0.0100 % or less,
    • REM: 0.0100 % or less,
    • Zr: 0.100 % or less,
    • Te: 0.100 % or less,
    • Hf: 0.10 % or less, and
    • Bi: 0.200 % or less.
  • The effects of the present disclosure are obtainable whenever content is equal to or less than the upper limit indicated above, and therefore there is no particular lower limit for the above optional additive elements. Further, when any of the above optional additional elements are included below a preferred lower limit described below, such an element is included as an inevitable impurity.
  • [Ti: 0.200 % or less, Nb: 0.200 % or less, V: 0.200 % or less]
  • When each of Ti, Nb, and V are 0.200 % or less, these elements do not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Ti, Nb, and V are included, the content of each is preferably 0.200 % or less. The content of each of Ti, Nb, and V is respectively more preferably 0.100 % or less. A lower limit of the content of each of Ti, Nb, and V is not particularly specified. However, Ti, Nb, and V increase the strength of steel sheets by forming fine carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides during hot rolling or annealing. Therefore, the content of each of Ti, Nb, and V is respectively preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • [Ta: 0.10 % or less, W: 0.10 % or less]
  • When each of Ta and W are 0.10 % or less, these elements do not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Ta and W are included, the content of each is preferably 0.10 % or less. The content of each of Ta and W is respectively more preferably 0.08 % or less. A lower limit of the content of each of Ta and W is not particularly specified. However, Ta and W increase the strength of steel sheets by forming fine carbides, nitrides or carbonitrides during hot rolling or annealing. Therefore, the content of each of Ta and W is respectively preferably 0.01 % or more.
  • [B: 0.0100 % or less]
  • When B content is 0.0100 % or less, this element does not cause cracks inside the steel sheet during casting or hot rolling or become an initiation point of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when B is included, the B content is preferably 0.0100 % or less. The B content is more preferably 0.0080 % or less. A lower limit of the B content is not particularly specified. However, B is an element that segregates at an austenite grain boundary during annealing and improves hardenability. The B content is therefore preferably 0.0003 % or more.
  • [Cr: 1.00 % or less, Mo: 1.00 % or less, Ni: 1.00 % or less]
  • When each of Cr, Mo, and Ni are 1.00 % or less, these elements do not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Cr, Mo, and Ni are included, the content of each is preferably 1.00 % or less. The content of each of Cr, Mo, and Ni is respectively more preferably 0.80 % or less. A lower limit of the content of each of Cr, Mo, and Ni is not particularly specified. However, Cr, Mo, and Ni are elements that improve hardenability. Therefore, the content of each of Cr, Mo, and Ni is respectively preferably 0.01 % or more.
  • [Co: 0.010 % or less]
  • When Co is 0.010 % or less, this element does not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become an initiation point of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Co is included, the Co content is preferably 0.010 % or less. The Co content is more preferably 0.008 % or less. A lower limit of the Co content is not particularly specified. However, Co is an element that improves hardenability. The Co content is therefore preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • [Cu: 1.00 % or less]
  • When Cu is 1.00 % or less, this element does not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become an initiation point of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Cu is included, the Cu content is preferably 1.00 % or less. The Cu content is more preferably 0.80 % or less. A lower limit of the Cu content is not particularly specified. However, Cu is an element that improves hardenability. The Cu content is therefore preferably 0.01 % or more.
  • [Sn: 0.200 % or less]
  • When Sn content is 0.200 % or less, this element does not cause cracks inside the steel sheet during casting or hot rolling or become an initiation point of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Sn is included, the Sn content is preferably 0.200 % or less. The Sn content is more preferably 0.100 % or less. A lower limit of the Sn content is not particularly specified. However, Sn is an element that improves hardenability and is generally also an element that improves corrosion resistance. The Sn content is therefore preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • [Sb: 0.200 % or less]
  • When Sb is 0.200 % or less, this element does not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become an initiation point of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Sb is included, the Sb content is preferably 0.200 % or less. The Sb content is more preferably 0.100 % or less. A lower limit of the Sb content is not particularly specified. However, Sb is an element that controls surface layer softening thickness and allows strength adjustment. The Sb content is therefore preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • [Ca: 0.0100 % or less, Mg: 0.0100 % or less, REM: 0.0100 % or less]
  • When each of Ca, Mg, and REM are 0.0100 % or less, these elements do not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Ca, Mg, and REM are included, the content of each is preferably 0.0100 % or less. The content of each of Ca, Mg, and REM is respectively more preferably 0.0050 % or less. A lower limit of the content of each of Ca, Mg, and REM is not particularly specified. However, Ca, Mg, and REM are elements that spheroidize the shape of nitrides and sulfides and improve steel sheet ultimate deformability. Therefore, the content of each of Ca, Mg, and REM is respectively preferably 0.0005 % or more.
  • [Zr: 0.100 % or less, Te: 0.100 % or less]
  • When each of Zr and Te are 0.100 % or less, these elements do not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become initiation points of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Zr and Te are included, the content of each is preferably 0.100 % or less. The content of each of Zr and Te is respectively more preferably 0.080 % or less. A lower limit of the content of each of Zr and Te is not particularly specified. However, Zr and Te are elements that spheroidize the shape of nitrides and sulfides and improve steel sheet ultimate deformability. Therefore, the content of each of Zr and Te is respectively preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • [Hf: 0.10 % or less]
  • When Hf is 0.10 % or less, this element does not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become an initiation point of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Hf is included, the content is 0.10 % or less. The Hf content is more preferably 0.08 % or less. A lower limit of the Hf content is not particularly specified. However, Hf is an element that spheroidizes the shape of nitrides and sulfides and improves steel sheet ultimate deformability. The Hf content is therefore preferably 0.01 % or more.
  • [Bi: 0.200 % or less]
  • When Bi is 0.200 % or less, this element does not cause large amounts of coarse precipitates or inclusions to form or become an initiation point of delayed fracture. Therefore, this does not lead to a decrease in shear angle range. Therefore, when Bi is included, the content is 0.200 % or less. The Bi content is more preferably 0.100 % or less. A lower limit of the Bi content is not particularly specified. However, Bi is an element that reduces segregation. The Bi content is therefore preferably 0.001 % or more.
  • Elements other than those described above are Fe and inevitable impurity. Examples of inevitable impurity include Zn, Pb, As, Ge, Sr, and Cs. Such inevitable impurity is allowed to be included as long as a total amount is 0.100 % or less.
  • The following describes the microstructure of the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • The microstructure of the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure satisfies the following conditions:
    • area fraction of tempered martensite is 83 % or more,
    • area fraction of retained austenite is less than 3 %,
    • total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is 5 % or more and less than 15 %, and
  • This is a microstructure in which the occupancy rate of prior austenite grain boundaries by ferrite and bainitic ferrite is 20 % or more.
  • The reasons for each of these limitations are described below. The area fraction of each phase is the area ratio occupied by each phase relative to the entire microstructure.
  • [Area fraction of tempered martensite: 83 % or more]
  • In the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is extremely important that the area fraction of tempered martensite is 83 % or more. That is, by making tempered martensite the main phase, in particular by making the area fraction 83 % or more, a TS of 1180 MPa or more is possible to achieve. The area fraction of tempered martensite is therefore 83 % or more. The area fraction of tempered martensite is preferably 85 % or more. The area fraction of tempered martensite is more preferably 87 % or more. An upper limit of the area fraction of tempered martensite is not specifically defined. The area fraction of tempered martensite is, for example, preferably less than 95 %. The area fraction of tempered martensite is more preferably 94 % or less. The area fraction of tempered martensite is even more preferably 93 % or less.
  • [Area fraction of retained austenite: less than 3 %]
  • In the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is extremely important that the area fraction of retained austenite is less than 3 %. That is, when the area fraction of retained austenite is 3 % or more, achieving excellent shear angle range becomes difficult. One of the causes of decreased shear angle range is that retained austenite transforms into deformation-induced martensite during shearing, resulting in high-hardness martensite, which becomes an initiation point of a fracture. The area fraction of retained austenite is therefore less than 3 %. The area fraction of retained austenite is preferably 1 % or less. A lower limit of the area fraction of retained austenite is not specifically defined. The area fraction of retained austenite may be 0 %.
  • [Total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite: 5 % or more and less than 15 %]
  • In the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is extremely important that the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is more than 5 % and less than 15 %. That is, when the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is 15 % or more, achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult. On the other hand, when the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is less than 5 %, achieving excellent dimensional accuracy becomes difficult. Therefore, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is 5 % or more and less than 15 %. The total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is preferably 6 % or more. The total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is more preferably 7 % or more. The total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is preferably 14 % or less. The total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is more preferably 13 % or less. Ferrite and bainitic ferrite may be included individually, or both may be included.
  • The area fraction of residual microstructure other than described above is preferably 5 % or less. Examples of residual microstructure include pearlite, fresh martensite, and acicular ferrite. These residual microstructures may be included as long as the content is 5 % or less, as they do not affect the properties. The area fraction of the residual microstructure may be 0 %.
  • Here, the area fraction of tempered martensite, as well as the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite, is measured, for example, as follows.
  • A sample is cut from the steel sheet such that a thickness cross-section parallel to the rolling direction of the steel sheet (L-section) becomes an observation plane. The observation plane of the sample is then polished. The observation plane of the sample is then corroded with 1 vol% nital to reveal the microstructure. Then, a 1/4 sheet thickness position of the steel sheet (a position corresponding to 1/4 of the sheet thickness in the depth direction from a steel sheet surface) is observed at 2000× magnification by SEM for ten fields of view. In the observation images, tempered martensite has fine irregularities in the microstructure and contains carbides in the microstructure. Further, ferrite and bainitic ferrite have a flat microstructure in recessed portions and do not contain carbides. Then, for each field of view, the areas occupied by tempered martensite, as well as ferrite and bainitic ferrite, are determined. Next, for each field of view, the area occupied by tempered martensite, and the area occupied by ferrite and bainitic ferrite, are each divided by the total area of the observed field of view and multiplied by 100. Then, the average values of these are taken as the area fraction of tempered martensite and the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite, respectively.
  • The microstructure of steel sheets is normally approximately vertically symmetrical in the thickness direction. Therefore, any one surface of the steel sheet (front or back) can be set as an initiation point of a thickness position (sheet thickness 0 position), such as the 1/4 sheet thickness position or a depth of 100 µm from the steel sheet surface.
  • Further, the area fraction of retained austenite is measured as follows.
  • That is, the steel sheet is mechanically ground to a depth of 1/4 - 0.1 mm so that the 1/4 sheet thickness position of the steel sheet becomes the observation position, and then further polished by 0.1 mm by chemical polishing. Using the polished surface as the observation plane, an integrated intensity of the diffraction peaks of bcc iron {200}, {211}, and {220} is compared to that of fcc iron (austenite) {200}, {220}, and {311} using Co Kα radiation with an X-ray diffractometer. A volume fraction of retained austenite is then calculated from the ratio of the integrated intensity of each plane. Then, assuming that the retained austenite is uniform in three dimensions, the volume fraction of the retained austenite is taken as the area fraction of retained austenite.
  • Further, the area fraction of the residual microstructure is determined by subtracting the area fraction of tempered martensite, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite, and the area fraction of retained austenite from 100 %. [Area fraction of residual microstructure (%)] = 100 - [area fraction of tempered martensite (%)] - [total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite (%)] - [area fraction of retained austenite (%)]
  • [Occupancy rate of prior austenite grain boundaries by ferrite and bainitic ferrite (hereinafter also referred to as prior y grain boundary occupancy rate): 20 % or more]
  • In the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is extremely important to have a prior y grain boundary occupancy rate of 20 % or more in order to realize an excellent shear angle range. Prior austenite grain (hereinafter also referred to as prior y grain) boundaries become initiation points of delayed fracture. Here, it is important that the prior y grain boundaries are occupied by soft ferrite and bainitic ferrite, and in particular that the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate is 20 % or more. This makes it possible to minimize the effect of the shear angle during shearing and suppress the occurrence of delayed fracture, thereby achieving an excellent shear angle range. The prior y grain boundary occupancy rate is therefore 20 % or more. The prior y grain boundary occupancy rate is preferably 22 % or more. The prior y grain boundary occupancy rate is more preferably 24 % or more. There is no particular upper limit to the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate. The prior y grain boundary occupancy rate may be 100 %.
  • Here, the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate is determined, for example, as follows (see FIG. 1).
  • One prior y grain confirmed in an observation image in measurement of the area fraction of tempered martensite and the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is hereinafter also referred to as the prior y grain. The total circumferential length of the prior y grain (the circumference of the prior y grain, which is the sum of the solid line (prior austenite grain boundary not occupied by ferrite or bainitic ferrite) and the dotted line in FIG. 1, hereinafter also referred to as LT) is measured. The length of the interface between the prior y grain and the ferrite and bainitic ferrite in contact with the prior y grain (the sum of the prior y grain boundary length of the dotted lines in FIG. 1, hereinafter also referred to as LF) is measured. Then, the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate of the prior y grain is calculated using the following expression. Prior y grain boundary occupancy rate of the prior y grain (%) = (LF/LT) × 100
  • This measurement is performed on 30 prior y grains in order from the closest to the prior y grain, and the average of the prior y grain boundary occupancy rates measured for each prior y grain is regarded as the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate of the steel sheet being measured.
  • Further, LT and LF are measured, for example, as follows.
  • A sample is cut from the steel sheet such that a thickness cross-section parallel to the rolling direction of the steel sheet (L-section) becomes an observation plane. The observation plane of the sample is then polished. The observation plane of the sample is then corroded with 1 vol% nital to reveal the microstructure. Then, a 1/4 sheet thickness position of the steel sheet (a position corresponding to 1/4 of the sheet thickness in the depth direction from a steel sheet surface) is observed at 2000× magnification by SEM. From the obtained microstructure image, LT and LF are measured using an object function of Adobe Illustrator.
  • Mechanical properties of the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are as described above.
  • Further, the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a coated or plated layer on a surface. The coated or plated layer may be on only one surface of the steel sheet or may be on both surfaces. The coated or plated layer is not particularly limited. As a coated or plated layer, a galvanized layer with Zn as the main component (Zn content of 50.0 mass% or more) is an example. Further, examples of galvanized layers include hot-dip galvanized layers, galvannealed layers, and electrogalvanized layers. A steel sheet that has a galvanized layer may also be referred to as a galvanized steel sheet. Further, a steel sheet that has a hot-dip galvanized layer, a galvannealed layer, or an electrogalvanized layer may also be referred to as a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet (GI), a galvannealed steel sheet (GA), or an electrogalvanized steel sheet (EG), respectively.
  • Coated or plated layers other than galvanized layers may include aluminum coated or plated layers and alloy coated or plated layers. As alloy coated or plated layers, examples include hot-dip zinc-aluminum-magnesium alloy coated layers and Zn-Ni electroplated alloy layers.
  • Further, coating weight per side of the coated or plated layer is not particularly limited. The coating weight per side of the coated or plated layer is preferably 20 g/m2 or more. The coating weight per side is preferably 80 g/m2 or less.
  • The thickness of the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is not particularly limited. The thickness of the steel sheet is preferably 0.50 mm or more. The thickness of the steel sheet is preferably 2.50 mm or less.
  • [2] Member
  • A member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described below.
  • The member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a member formed using the steel sheet described above as a material. For example, the material, the steel sheet, is subjected to at least one of a forming process or a joining process to make the member.
  • Here, the steel sheet has a TS of 1180 MPa or more, and also has excellent dimensional accuracy and shear angle range. Therefore, the member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is particularly suitable for application as a material for automotive parts. This allows for improved fuel efficiency due to an automotive body weight decrease, which can greatly contribute to a decrease in CO2 emissions.
  • [3] Method of producing steel sheet
  • The following describes a method of producing a steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • The method of producing a steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:
    • a preparation process of preparing a blank sheet having the chemical composition described above;
    • a heating process of heating the blank sheet under a set of conditions including an average heating rate in a temperature range from 700 °C to 750 °C of 5.0 °C/s or less, and
    • a maximum arrival temperature T1 of 800 °C or more and 900 °C or less;
    • a first cooling process of cooling the blank sheet under a set of conditions including an average cooling rate in a temperature range from the maximum arrival temperature T1 to an intermediate holding temperature T2 of 0.10 °C/s or more and 5.00 °C/s or less;
    • an intermediate holding process of holding the blank sheet under a set of conditions including the intermediate holding temperature T2 being 600 °C or more and 750 °C or less,
    • an intermediate holding time t2 of 1.0 s or longer and 2000.0 s or shorter, and
    • a tension applied to the blank sheet of 5 MPa or more;
    • a second cooling process of cooling the blank sheet under a set of conditions including an average cooling rate in a temperature range from 300 °C to 100 °C of 300 °C/s or more,
    • to a second cooling end temperature; and
    • a tempering process of tempering the blank sheet under a set of conditions including a tempering temperature T3 of 100 °C or more and 400 °C or less, and
    • a tempering time t3 of 10 s or longer and 10,000 s or shorter.
  • Unless otherwise specified, each of the temperatures above refers to a surface temperature of the steel sheet. Further, the average heating rate and the average cooling rate are based on the surface temperature of the steel sheet, unless otherwise specified.
  • Preparation process
  • First, a blank sheet having the chemical composition described above is prepared. For example, a blank sheet can be prepared by hot rolling a steel slab into a hot-rolled steel sheet, then subjecting the hot-rolled steel sheet to optional pickling and heat treatment, and then cold rolling to obtain a cold-rolled steel sheet. The conditions of these processes are not particularly limited and may follow a conventional method.
  • For example, a method of smelting the steel slab (steel material) may be any known method, such as by use of a converter, an electric furnace, or the like. The steel slab is preferably smelted by continuous casting to help prevent macro-segregation.
  • Examples of hot rolling include methods such as rolling the steel slab after heating, direct rolling the steel slab after continuous casting without heating, and rolling the steel slab after applying a short heating treatment following continuous casting. Further, slab heating temperature, slab soaking duration, and coiling temperature in hot rolling are not particularly limited. The slab heating temperature is preferably 1100 °C or more. The slab heating temperature is preferably 1300 °C or less. The slab soaking duration is preferably 30 min or more. The slab soaking duration is preferably 250 min or less. The rolling finish temperature is preferably the Ar3 transformation temperature or more. The coiling temperature is preferably 350 °C or more. The coiling temperature is preferably 650 °C or less. The Ar3 transformation temperature is determined by the following expression. Ar3 transformation temperature (°C) = 868 - 396 × [%C] + 24.6 × [%Si] - 68.1 × [%Mn] - 36.1 × [%Ni] - 20.7 × [%Cu] - 24.8 × [%Cr]
  • Here, [%element symbol] in the above expression represents the content in mass% of the element in the chemical composition described above.
  • Pickling is capable of removing oxides from the surface of the hot-rolled steel sheet, and is preferably carried out to secure good chemical convertibility and coating quality in the final steel sheet product. Pickling may be carried out in one or more batches. Further, the hot-rolled steel sheet after pickling may be subjected to heat treatment.
  • The total rolling reduction in the cold rolling is preferably 30 % or more. The total rolling reduction in the cold rolling is preferably 80 % or less. The defined effect can be obtained without limiting the number of rolling passes or the rolling reduction for each pass.
  • Heating process
  • Next, the blank sheet prepared in the preparation process is heated to the maximum arrival temperature T1 under a set of conditions including an average heating rate of 5.0 °C/s or less in the temperature range of 700 °C to 750 °C.
  • [Average heating rate in temperature range of 700 °C to 750 °C: 5.0 °C/s or less]
  • The inventors have carried out intensive studies and found that the average heating rate in the temperature range of 700 °C to 750 °C (hereinafter also referred to simply as average heating rate) affects the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate. That is, by setting the average heating rate to 5.0 °C/s or less, the dissolution of carbides is promoted. This refines the prior y grains, contributing to an increase in the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate. As a result, the shear angle range is improved. Accordingly, the average heating rate is 5.0 °C/s or less. The average heating rate is preferably 3.0 °C/s or less. A lower limit of the average heating rate is not specifically defined. For example, the average heating rate is preferably 0.1 °C/s or more.
  • [Maximum arrival temperature T1: 800 °C or more and 900 °C or less]
  • When the maximum arrival temperature T1 is less than 800 °C, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite becomes 15 % or more, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult. On the other hand, when the maximum arrival temperature T1 exceeds 900 °C, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite becomes less than 5 %, making achieving excellent dimensional accuracy of parts difficult. The maximum arrival temperature T1 is therefore 800 °C or more and 900 °C or less. The maximum arrival temperature T1 is preferably 810 °C or more. The maximum arrival temperature T1 is preferably 890 °C or less.
  • After the maximum arrival temperature T1 is reached, processing may immediately proceed to the cooling process described later, or the maximum arrival temperature T1 may be held for a certain period of time, for example, 1.0 s to 5.0 s, before proceeding to the cooling process.
  • First cooling process
  • The blank sheet is then cooled under a set of conditions including an average cooling rate in a temperature range from the maximum arrival temperature T1 to the intermediate holding temperature T2 of 0.10 °C/s or more and 5.00 °C/s or less.
  • [Average cooling rate in temperature range from maximum arrival temperature T1 to intermediate holding temperature T2 (hereinafter also referred to as first average cooling rate): 0.10 °C/s or more and 5.00 °C/s or less]
  • As a result of intensive studies, the inventors found that the first average cooling rate affects the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate. That is, by setting the first average cooling rate to 5.00 °C/s or less, the nucleation of ferrite from prior y grain boundaries is promoted, which contributes to an increase in the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate. As a result, the shear angle range is improved. On the other hand, when the first average cooling rate is less than 0.10 °C/s, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite becomes 15 % or more, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult. The first average cooling rate is therefore 0.10 °C/s or more and 5.00 °C/s or less. The first average cooling rate is preferably 0.20 °C/s or more. The first average cooling rate is preferably 3.00 °C/s or less.
  • The first cooling end temperature may be 600 °C or more and 750 °C or less. For example, the first cooling end temperature may be the intermediate holding temperature T2.
  • Intermediate holding process
  • The blank sheet is then held under a set of conditions including the intermediate holding temperature T2 being 600 °C or more and 750 °C or less,
    • an intermediate holding time t2 of 1.0 s or longer and 2000.0 s or shorter, and
    • a tension applied to the blank sheet of 5 MPa or more.
    [Intermediate holding temperature T2: 600 °C or more and 750 °C or less]
  • When the intermediate holding temperature T2 is less than 600 °C, transformation of ferrite and bainitic ferrite from places other than prior y grain boundaries may be promoted. Therefore, it becomes difficult to make the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate 20 % or more, and it also becomes difficult to realize an excellent shear angle range. On the other hand, when the intermediate holding temperature T2 exceeds 750 °C, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite becomes less than 5 %, making it difficult to achieve excellent dimensional accuracy of parts. The intermediate holding temperature T2 is therefore 600 °C or more and 750 °C or less. The intermediate holding temperature T2 is preferably 610 °C or more. The intermediate holding temperature T2 is preferably 740 °C or less. The intermediate holding temperature here refers to the holding temperature in the intermediate holding process. The intermediate holding temperature may be constant during holding. Further, the intermediate holding temperature is the temperature range of 600 °C or more and 750 °C or less, and when temperature fluctuation is within ±10 °C of the set temperature, the annealing temperature does not have to be constant during holding.
  • [Intermediate holding time t2: 1.0 s or longer and 2000.0 s or shorter]
  • When the intermediate holding time t2 is less than 1.0 s (including a case where no intermediate holding is carried out), the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate becomes less than 20 %, making it impossible to realize an excellent shear angle range. When the intermediate holding time t2 exceeds 2000.0 s, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite becomes 15 % or more, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult. The intermediate holding time t2 is therefore 1.0 s or longer and 2000.0 s or shorter. The intermediate holding time t2 is preferably 10.0 s or longer. The intermediate holding time t2 is preferably 1500.0 s or shorter. The intermediate holding time t2 is a holding time at the intermediate holding temperature T2.
  • [Tension applied to blank sheet: 5 MPa or more]
  • As a result of intensive studies, the inventors have found that applying tension to the blank sheet during intermediate holding affects the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate. In this case, by applying a tension to the blank sheet (hereinafter also referred to simply as applied tension) of 5 MPa or more, ferrite nucleation from prior y grain boundaries is promoted, which contributes to an increase in the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate. This makes it possible to make the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate 20 % or more, and to realize an excellent shear angle range. Accordingly, the applied tension is 5 MPa or more. The applied tension is preferably 10 MPa or more. An upper limit of the applied tension is not specifically defined. The applied tension is, for example, preferably 100 MPa or less.
  • Further, a coating or plating treatment may be applied to the blank sheet between the intermediate holding process and the second cooling process described below. Details about the coating or plating treatment are described later.
  • Second cooling process
  • The blank sheet is cooled under a set of conditions including an average cooling rate in a temperature range from 300 °C to 100 °C of 300 °C/s or more,
    to the second cooling end temperature.
  • [Average cooling rate in temperature range of 300 °C to 100 °C (hereinafter also referred to as second average cooling rate): 300 °C/s or more]
  • When the second average cooling rate is less than 300 °C/s, the area fraction of retained austenite becomes 3 % or more, making it difficult to achieve an excellent shear angle range. The second average cooling rate is therefore 300 °C/s or more. The second average cooling rate is preferably 800 °C/s or more. An upper limit of the second average cooling rate is not specifically defined. For example, the second average cooling rate is preferably 2000 °C/s or less.
  • The second cooling end temperature may be, for example, less than 100 °C. Further, the second cooling end temperature may be, for example, around room temperature.
  • Tempering process
  • Next, the blank sheet is tempered under a set of conditions including the tempering temperature T3 being 100 °C or more and 400 °C or less, and the tempering time t3 being 10 s or longer and 10,000 s or shorter.
  • [Tempering temperature T3: 100 °C or more and 400 °C or less]
  • Tempered martensite is formed by tempering treatment, where martensite is tempered. Here, when the tempering temperature T3 is less than 100 °C, martensite is not sufficiently tempered, resulting in a microstructure mainly composed of quenched martensite. In such a microstructure mainly composed of quenched martensite, excellent shear angle range cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the tempering temperature T3 exceeds 400 °C, tempering of martensite progresses excessively, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult. The tempering temperature T3 is therefore 100 °C or more and 400 °C or less. The tempering temperature T3 is preferably 150 °C or more. The tempering temperature T3 is preferably 350 °C or less. The tempering temperature referred to here is the holding temperature during the tempering process. The tempering temperature may be constant during holding. Further, the tempering temperature is in the range from 100 °C or more to 400 °C or less, and when temperature fluctuation is within ±10 °C of the set temperature, the tempering temperature does not have to be constant during holding.
  • [Tempering time t3: 10 s or longer and 10,000 s or shorter]
  • As mentioned above, tempered martensite is formed by tempering treatment, where martensite is tempered. Here, when the tempering time t3 is shorter than 10 s, martensite is not sufficiently tempered, resulting in a microstructure mainly composed of quenched martensite. In such a microstructure mainly composed of quenched martensite, excellent shear angle range cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the tempering time t3 exceeds 10,000 s, tempering of martensite progresses excessively, and achieving a TS of 1180 MPa or more becomes difficult. Accordingly, the tempering time t3 is 10 s or longer and 10,000 s or shorter. The tempering time t3 is preferably 50 s or longer. The tempering time t3 is preferably 5000 s or shorter. Here, the tempering time t3 refers to the holding time at the tempering temperature T3.
  • The cooling after tempering is not specifically defined. For example, it is sufficient to cool by any method according to a conventional method. The cooling end temperature after tempering may be, for example, around room temperature.
  • Further, after the tempering process, the blank sheet may be worked under conditions that result in an equivalent plastic strain of 0.10 % or more and 5.00 % or less. Further, after the working, the blank sheet may be reheated to a temperature of 100 °C or more and 400 °C or less.
  • Further, after the tempering process, the blank sheet may be subjected to a coating or plating treatment. Details about the coating or plating treatment are described below.
  • Coating or plating process
  • Further, optionally, the blank sheet may be subjected to coating or plating treatment. Coating or plating treatment is not particularly limited. Examples of coating or plating treatment include galvanizing treatment such as hot-dip galvanizing treatment, galvannealing treatment, and electrogalvanization treatment. Other than galvanizing treatment, examples of coating or plating treatment include aluminum coating or plating treatment and alloy coating or plating treatment. Examples of alloy coating or plating treatment include hot-dip zinc-aluminum-magnesium alloy coating treatment and Zn-Ni electro-alloy plating treatment. Treatment conditions may follow conventional methods. As mentioned above, the coating or plating treatment is preferably carried out between the intermediate holding process and the second cooling process, or after the tempering process. For example, hot-dip galvanizing treatment or galvannealing treatment is preferably carried out between the intermediate holding process and the second cooling process. Further, electrogalvanization treatment or Zn-Ni electro-alloy plating treatment is preferably carried out after the tempering process.
  • In the case of hot-dip galvanizing treatment and galvannealing treatment, from the perspective of productivity, the series of treatments including the heating process and the coating or plating treatment process is preferably carried out on a continuous galvanizing line (CGL). After the hot-dip galvanizing, wiping may be carried out for adjusting the coating amount.
  • Further, after the coating or plating treatment process, the blank sheet may be worked under conditions that result in an equivalent plastic strain of 0.10 % or more and 5.00 % or less. Further, after the working, the blank sheet (coated or plated steel sheet) may be reheated to a temperature of 100 °C or more and 400 °C or less.
  • Conditions other than those described above are not particularly limited, and a conventional method may be used. According to the method of producing the steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure described above, a steel sheet is obtainable that has a TS of 1180 MPa or more and excellent dimensional accuracy and shear angle range. The obtained steel sheet may be suitably used as a material for automotive parts, for example. When the steel sheet is to be traded, the steel sheet is typically cooled to room temperature before being traded.
  • [4] Method of producing member
  • The following describes a method of producing a member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • The method of producing a member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes process of at least one of forming or joining the steel sheet described above to make the member.
  • Here, a forming method is not particularly limited, and a typical processing method such as press forming may be used, for example. Further, a joining method is also not particularly limited, and for example, typical welding such as spot welding, laser welding, arc welding, and the like, rivet joining, swaging joining, and the like may be used. Forming and joining conditions are not particularly limited and may follow a conventional method.
  • EXAMPLES
  • Steel having the chemical compositions listed in Table 1 (the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity) was melted in a converter and made into steel slabs by a continuous casting method. The steel slabs were then heated. The steel slabs were then hot rolled to produce hot-rolled steel sheets. Pickling treatment was then carried out on the hot-rolled steel sheets. The hot-rolled steel sheets were then subjected to cold rolling to obtain cold-rolled steel sheets. In this way, blank sheets were prepared. The prepared blank sheets then underwent the heating process, the first cooling process, the intermediate holding process, the second cooling process, and the tempering process, under conditions including the conditions listed in Table 2 to obtain final product steel sheets (thickness: 0.6 mm to 2.2 mm). Further, some of the steel sheets (those listed as GI, GA, and EG in Table 2) were subjected to coating or plating treatment. Among these, for those listed as GI and GA in Table 2, coating treatment was carried out between the intermediate holding process and the second cooling process. For those listed as EG in Table 2, plating treatment was carried out after the tempering process. Conditions not specified were followed according to conventional methods.
  • Using the steel sheets thus obtained, the area fraction of tempered martensite, the area fraction of retained austenite, the total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite, and the prior y grain boundary occupancy rate were determined as described above. Results are listed in Table 3.
  • Further, each evaluation was carried out according to the following procedure. The evaluation results are listed in Table 3.
  • (Evaluation of TS)
  • From each obtained steel sheet, a JIS No. 5 test piece (gauge length: 50 mm, parallel portion width: 25 mm) was taken so that the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction of the steel sheet was the longitudinal direction of the test piece. Next, a tensile test was conducted according to JIS Z 2241:2022 using the test piece, and TS and YS were measured. The crosshead speed was set to 1.67 × 10-1 mm/s. The TS was evaluated according to the following criteria:
    • Good (pass, very good): TS was 1180 MPa or more
    • Poor (fail): TS was less than 1180 MPa
    (Evaluation of dimensional accuracy)
  • From the TS and YS measured in the above evaluation of TS, YR was calculated according to the following expression. YR = 100 × YS / TS
  • The dimensional accuracy was evaluated according to the following criteria:
    • Good (pass, very good): YR was 65 % or more and 85 % or less
    • Poor (fail): YR was less than 65 % or YR was more than 85 %
    (Evaluation of shear angle range)
  • The obtained steel sheets were each sheared into a size of 16 mm × 75 mm with the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the rolling direction to prepare test pieces. The clearance during shearing was set to 15 % in each case. Further, the shear angle during shearing was changed in increments of 0.25° within a range of 0° to 2.0°. Next, a four-point bending test was carried out in accordance with ASTM (G39-99), and a stress of 1000 MPa was applied to the tip of the bend test piece. Next, while the stress was applied, the test piece was immersed in hydrochloric acid of pH 3 at 25 °C for 100 h. After immersion, each test piece was visually inspected for the presence or absence of cracks. The shear angle range was evaluated according to the following criteria.
    • Excellent (pass, particularly good): appropriate range of shear angle versus delayed fracture was 0° to 1.0° or more
    • Good (pass, very good): appropriate range of shear angle versus delayed fracture was 0° to 0.5° or more and less than 1.0°
    • Poor (fail): appropriate range of shear angle versus delayed fracture was 0° to less than 0.5°.
  • The appropriate range of shear angle versus delayed fracture was the range of shear angles at which no cracks were observed in the test pieces in the test described above. For example, when no cracks were observed in any of the test pieces prepared with shear angles of 0° to 0.75° during shearing, but cracks were observed in the test pieces prepared with a shear angle of 1.00° or more during shearing, then the appropriate range of shear angles versus delayed fracture was "0° to 0.75°", and the test piece was evaluated as "Good (pass, very good)". Further, when no cracks were observed in any of the test pieces prepared with shear angles of 0° to 0.25° during shearing, but cracks were observed in the test pieces prepared with a shear angle of 0.50° or more during shearing, the appropriate range of shear angles versus delayed fracture becomes "0° to 0.25°", and the test piece was evaluated as "Poor (fail)".
  • [Table 1]
  • Table 1
    Steel sample ID Chemical composition (mass%) Remarks
    C Si Mn P S N O Al TI Nb B Cu Other
    A 0.231 0.249 1.55 0.014 0.0013 0.006 0.006 0.041 Conforming steel
    B 0.221 0.116 1.67 0.013 0.0014 0.006 0.006 0.038 Conforming steel
    C 0.220 0.259 1.75 0.012 0.0008 0.006 0.003 0.058 Conforming steel
    D 0.205 0.242 1.55 0.011 0.0007 0.005 0.003 0.014 Conforming steel
    E 0.203 0.155 1.46 0.014 0.0010 0.001 0.006 0.029 Conforming steel
    F 0.040 0.112 1.69 0.013 0.0013 0.003 0.002 0.023 Conforming steel
    G 0.024 0.286 1.61 0.011 0.0006 0.006 0.003 0.019 Comparative steel
    H 0.477 0.224 1.88 0.010 0.0014 0.005 0.007 0.035 Conforming steel
    I 0.505 0.243 1.33 0.013 0.0013 0.006 0.007 0.048 Comparative steel
    J 0.205 0.025 1.39 0.006 0.0009 0.001 0.006 0.034 Conforming steel
    K 0.247 0.005 1.50 0.010 0.0006 0.005 0.006 0.044 Comparative steel
    L 0.237 2.481 1.26 0.010 0.0009 0.007 0.007 0.038 Conforming steel
    M 0.244 2.580 1.16 0.007 0.0011 0.005 0.003 0.047 Comparative steel
    N 0.218 0.176 0.11 0.008 0.0014 0.004 0.006 0.049 Conforming steel
    O 0.243 0.283 0.07 0.009 0.0012 0.004 0.005 0.017 Comparative steel
    P 0.214 0.105 4.77 0.013 0.0011 0.003 0.002 0.029 Conforming steel
    Q 0.219 0.194 5.16 0.006 0.0007 0.005 0.003 0.013 Comparative steel
    R 0.211 0.184 1.60 0.097 0.0013 0.001 0.007 0.036 Conforming steel
    S 0.205 0.246 1.37 0.109 0.0006 0.002 0.003 0.020 Comparative steel
    T 0.249 0.252 1.40 0.007 0.0192 0.006 0.005 0.039 Conforming steel
    U 0.218 0.172 1.43 0.006 0.0203 0.004 0.002 0.019 Comparative steel
    V 0.232 0.248 1.56 0.006 0.0006 0.006 0.006 0.924 Conforming steel
    W 0.247 0.169 1.17 0.014 0.0012 0.007 0.003 1.049 Comparative steel
    X 0.229 0.194 1.72 0.005 0.0015 0.0094 0.004 0.019 Conforming steel
    Y 0.211 0.277 1.76 0.008 0.0009 0.0111 0.004 0.036 Comparative steel
    Z 0.202 0.291 1.63 0.014 0.0010 0.002 0.0088 0.028 Conforming steel
    AA 0.201 0.254 1.05 0.014 0.0008 0.004 0.0112 0.025 Comparative steel
    AB 0.217 0.200 1.21 0.008 0.0009 0.005 0.006 0.036 Conforming steel
    AC 0.233 0.199 1.29 0.006 0.0010 0.002 0.001 0.031 0.001 Conforming steel
    AD 0.248 0.241 1.98 0.006 0.0007 0.003 0.006 0.055 0.195 Conforming steel
    AE 0.237 0.279 1.08 0.011 0.0008 0.004 0.002 0.021 0.214 Comparative steel
    AF 0.208 0.138 1.50 0.006 0.0014 0.007 0.002 0.037 0.0004 Conforming steel
    AG 0.239 0.137 1.23 0.011 0.0009 0.003 0.001 0.043 0.0084 Conforming steel
    AH 0.247 0.220 1.90 0.006 0.0012 0.006 0.006 0.028 0.0120 Comparative steel
    AI 0.245 0.160 1.72 0.006 0.0011 0.005 0.005 0.045 0.003 Conforming steel
    AJ 0.242 0.267 1.41 0.010 0.0008 0.001 0.002 0.013 0.187 Conforming steel
    AK 0.247 0.260 1.40 0.009 0.0013 0.006 0.006 0.054 0.209 Comparative steel
    AL 0.208 0.284 1.03 0.011 0.0009 0.002 0.004 0.022 0.03 Conforming steel
    AM 0.242 0.240 1.59 0.010 0.0007 0.004 0.004 0.028 0.95 Conforming steel
    AN 0.226 0.245 1.29 0.013 0.0007 0.006 0.006 0.052 1.15 Comparative steel
    AO 0.223 0.134 1.86 0.005 0.0013 0.006 0.006 0.052 V:0.140 Conforming steel
    AP 0.246 0.147 1.10 0.005 0.0009 0.005 0.005 0.037 Ta:0.09 Conforming steel
    AQ 0.242 0.136 1.53 0.007 0.0015 0.006 0.001 0.058 W:0.05 Conforming steel
    AR 0.219 0.272 1.53 0.007 0.0010 0.001 0.003 0.031 Cr:0.32 Conforming steel
    AS 0.236 0.142 1.25 0.005 0.0015 0.002 0.001 0.020 Mo:0.53 Conforming steel
    AT 0.223 0.123 1.15 0.012 0.0006 0.005 0.005 0.024 Co:0.008 Conforming steel
    AU 0.235 0.254 1.87 0.006 0.0014 0.006 0.001 0.026 Ni:0.06 Conforming steel
    AV 0.236 0.278 1.91 0.012 0.0008 0.002 0.004 0.029 Sn:0.126 Conforming steel
    AW 0.237 0.260 1.42 0.012 0.0013 0.004 0.007 0.054 Sb:0.104 Conforming steel
    AX 0.235 0.279 1.76 0.007 0.0006 0.002 0.006 0.059 Ca:0.0040 Conforming steel
    AY 0.219 0.268 1.59 0.008 0.0011 0.002 0.006 0.021 Mg:0.0028 Conforming steel
    AZ 0.202 0.257 1.44 0.009 0.0011 0.002 0.004 0.043 Zr:0.061 Conforming steel
    BA 0.223 0.243 1.56 0.005 0.0013 0.007 0.005 0.014 Te:0.046 Conforming steel
    BB 0.208 0.230 1.35 0.007 0.0005 0.006 0.003 0.022 Hf:0.08 Conforming steel
    BC 0.239 0.240 1.74 0.013 0.0010 0.004 0.002 0.049 REM:0.0058 Conforming steel
    BD 0.244 0.273 1.57 0.006 0.0010 0.001 0.006 0.016 Bi:0.029 Conforming steel
    BE 0.218 0.203 1.55 0.007 0.0008 0.007 0.006 0.058 Zn:0.030 Conforming steel
    BF 0.215 0.274 1.22 0.014 0.0009 0.002 0.001 0.050 Pb:0.023 Conforming steel
    BG 0.249 0.172 1.64 0.012 0.0015 0.001 0.003 0.058 As:0.033 Conforming steel
    BH 0.235 0.253 1.02 0.008 0.0012 0.002 0.004 0.013 Ge:0.054 Conforming steel
    BI 0.218 0.234 1.26 0.007 0.0012 0.005 0.005 0.026 Sr:0.036 Conforming steel
    BJ 0.223 0.230 1.56 0.013 0.0012 0.004 0.007 0.028 Cs:0.063 Conforming steel
    BK 0.223 0.179 1.20 0.008 0.0006 0.006 0.003 0.012 Conforming steel
    BL 0.215 0.117 1.91 0.015 0.0011 0.003 0.004 0.026 Conforming steel
    BM 0.236 0.268 1.26 0.011 0.0005 0.005 0.006 0.059 Conforming steel
    BN 0.240 0.134 1.75 0.012 0.0009 0.006 0.001 0.018 Conforming steel
    BO 0.229 0.169 1.87 0.011 0.0010 0.007 0.003 0.055 Conforming steel
    Underlined: indicates value outside scope of present disclosure.
  • [Table 2]
  • Table 2
    No. Steel sample ID Heating process First cooling process Intermediate holding process Second cooling process Tempering process Type* Remarks
    Average heating rate (°C/s) Maximum arrival temp. T1 (°C) First average cooling rate (°C/s) Intermediate holding temp. T2 (°C) Intermediate holding time t2 (s) Applied tension (MPa) Second average cooling rate (°C/s) Tempering temp. T3 (°C) Tempering time t3 (s)
    1 A 0.4 843 0.41 717 50.3 14 867 174 707 CR Example
    2 B 0.9 836 0.32 691 42.9 20 904 173 694 CR Example
    3 B 0.1 820 0.62 727 61.8 11 958 178 594 CR Example
    4 B 0.3 833 0.37 725 938.9 18 961 197 878 CR Example
    5 B 4.7 834 0.40 703 88.0 11 918 177 866 CR Example
    6 B 5.3 833 0.90 712 95.2 19 941 193 911 CR Comparative Example
    7 B 0.4 808 1.22 722 58.6 11 964 176 848 CR Example
    8 B 0.6 795 1.19 724 41.8 12 829 173 928 CR Comparative Example
    9 B 0.5 894 1.23 715 70.9 19 929 179 949 CR Example
    10 B 0.5 911 0.33 714 48.0 15 976 186 545 CR Comparative Example
    11 B 0.2 850 0.10 725 31.3 18 925 210 609 CR Example
    12 B 0.5 834 0.08 726 63.9 11 875 202 564 CR Comparative Example
    13 B 0.6 840 4.90 692 99.8 17 886 198 652 CR Example
    14 B 0.3 827 5.11 717 93.3 18 815 175 964 CR Comparative Example
    15 B 0.4 836 0.34 612 35.0 10 911 178 637 CR Example
    16 B 0.5 854 0.74 590 88.2 10 864 204 712 CR Comparative Example
    17 B 0.4 844 0.93 748 74.2 18 872 186 573 CR Example
    18 B 0.4 841 0.92 755 77.7 17 895 183 552 CR Comparative Example
    19 B 0.6 856 0.43 724 1.7 12 825 208 756 CR Example
    20 B 0.6 839 1.12 715 0.8 13 958 198 730 CR Comparative Example
    21 B 0.3 850 1.08 694 1987.5 11 991 192 844 CR Example
    22 B 0.6 823 0.70 701 2024.9 19 850 198 594 CR Comparative Example
    23 B 0.4 821 1.00 Not held Not held 17 916 203 752 CR Comparative Example
    24 B 0.8 836 0.95 Not held Not held 18 995 205 777 CR Comparative Example
    25 B 0.5 835 0.47 705 94.8 7 973 179 772 CR Example
    26 B 0.6 849 0.69 705 88.8 4 968 196 865 CR Comparative Example
    27 B 0.9 847 0.36 708 40.1 48 988 201 676 CR Example
    28 B 0.2 844 0.87 708 1065.2 16 893 177 900 CR Example
    29 B 0.7 842 1.28 713 76.2 16 314 192 599 CR Example
    30 B 0.9 826 0.39 722 81.8 11 284 190 715 CR Comparative Example
    31 B 0.9 856 1.09 726 62.5 11 1974 179 814 CR Example
    32 B 0.7 840 1.13 698 37.0 11 839 185 542 CR Example
    33 B 0.9 846 0.99 695 62.5 13 998 124 928 CR Example
    34 B 0.3 844 1.09 706 98.5 15 852 109 714 CR Example
    35 B 0.7 838 1.08 696 35.5 12 822 389 983 CR Example
    36 B 0.5 833 0.84 690 64.7 19 907 394 877 CR Example
    37 B 0.5 826 0.72 721 82.4 14 935 198 14 CR Example
    38 B 0.7 835 0.96 703 94.2 15 883 174 10 CR Example
    39 B 0.8 837 0.51 722 33.4 19 896 180 9981 CR Example
    40 B 0.9 833 0.60 701 33.7 11 944 200 9998 CR Example
    41 C 0.6 834 0.90 714 1088.1 15 974 187 842 CR Example
    42 D 0.6 848 0.64 708 1009.9 14 990 206 751 CR Example
    43 E 0.8 858 1.06 694 924.5 18 838 177 795 CR Example
    44 F 0.5 824 0.93 730 36.1 15 867 195 554 CR Example
    45 G 0.9 846 0.89 720 54.3 12 843 198 589 CR Comparative Example
    46 H 0.9 835 1.23 715 81.0 18 932 206 990 CR Example
    47 I 0.3 839 1.01 714 54.1 10 991 206 855 CR Comparative Example
    48 J 0.3 838 0.78 701 62.5 19 846 199 824 CR Example
    49 K 0.3 850 1.25 710 44.8 13 904 187 602 CR Comparative Example
    50 L 0.9 856 1.03 701 47.8 18 854 204 884 CR Example
    51 M 0.4 826 0.89 711 91.0 12 815 199 836 CR Comparative Example
    52 N 0.9 833 1.04 728 36.3 18 824 206 520 CR Example
    53 O 0.9 849 1.13 696 48.8 19 842 198 761 CR Comparative Example
    54 P 0.5 832 0.67 726 80.4 14 897 191 674 CR Example
    55 Q 0.7 833 0.48 729 87.2 13 807 174 936 CR Comparative Example
    56 R 0.3 839 0.95 702 79.1 14 927 205 946 CR Example
    57 S 0.9 856 0.50 711 63.1 18 923 195 513 CR Comparative Example
    58 T 0.4 849 0.67 712 31.0 17 987 187 759 CR Example
    59 U 0.9 840 0.55 693 59.2 15 828 195 925 GA Comparative Example
    60 V 1.0 839 0.69 705 51.4 14 911 195 838 GA Example
    61 W 0.3 826 0.97 701 57.9 13 837 182 862 GA Comparative Example
    62 X 0.7 845 0.51 713 47.5 19 876 172 697 GA Example
    63 Y 0.4 849 0.78 723 87.7 17 988 190 637 GA Comparative Example
    64 Z 0.3 841 1.12 715 72.7 17 984 200 986 CR Example
    65 AA 1.0 837 0.35 718 53.9 12 862 177 617 CR Comparative Example
    66 AB 1.0 821 0.69 721 1040.2 18 878 179 587 GA Example
    67 AC 0.3 821 0.61 721 69.0 12 831 195 894 GA Example
    68 AD 1.0 847 0.66 726 70.9 11 886 209 694 GI Example
    69 AE 0.9 842 0.30 692 73.7 19 859 173 674 GA Comparative Example
    70 AF 0.9 859 0.45 713 75.5 19 824 171 514 GA Example
    71 AG 0.9 860 0.83 695 87.0 13 867 173 973 GA Example
    72 AH 0.8 823 0.58 716 75.5 15 872 202 706 GA Comparative Example
    73 AI 0.7 821 1.28 700 43.5 20 953 186 883 GI Example
    74 AJ 0.6 825 1.17 700 51.5 11 938 183 927 GA Example
    75 AK 0.7 844 0.89 728 59.6 11 839 207 689 GA Comparative Example
    76 AL 0.8 855 0.63 726 36.5 12 941 195 583 GA Example
    77 AM 0.7 821 0.97 728 60.4 13 978 196 866 GA Example
    78 AN 0.4 841 0.96 715 48.2 10 859 188 957 GA Comparative Example
    79 AO 0.2 820 0.65 712 41.0 11 955 171 767 CR Example
    80 AP 4.8 849 0.92 723 84.5 18 822 205 584 CR Example
    81 AQ 0.6 805 1.14 704 62.0 13 983 203 799 CR Example
    82 AR 0.4 894 0.83 694 44.6 12 977 175 842 CR Example
    83 AS 0.9 860 0.17 720 58.2 10 911 202 721 CR Example
    84 AT 0.7 824 4.87 699 63.0 11 841 186 530 GA Example
    85 AU 1.0 849 0.30 611 31.2 11 843 171 969 GA Example
    86 AV 0.5 827 0.32 748 70.6 10 843 187 653 CR Example
    87 AW 0.3 822 0.64 717 1.6 15 848 178 991 CR Example
    88 AX 1.0 859 1.18 725 1995.7 14 874 184 568 CR Example
    89 AY 0.4 837 0.84 725 38.4 6 997 209 819 EG Example
    90 AZ 0.4 830 0.43 707 84.4 49 998 179 529 GI Example
    91 BA 0.7 828 1.12 727 81.7 15 311 176 952 EG Example
    92 BB 0.3 830 1.14 710 84.5 14 1986 178 745 GI Example
    93 BC 0.7 823 0.82 693 58.1 20 936 104 697 CR Example
    94 BD 0.5 859 0.57 729 86.8 12 988 397 830 CR Example
    95 BE 0.7 826 0.51 698 53.3 16 863 187 14 CR Example
    96 BF 0.4 822 0.73 721 81.0 14 906 208 9987 CR Example
    97 BG 0.9 845 0.98 705 46.5 11 840 198 849 CR Example
    98 BH 0.4 837 0.85 701 87.1 12 887 190 843 CR Example
    99 BI 0.9 850 1.17 703 97.7 16 811 201 536 CR Example
    100 BJ 0.7 842 0.60 722 95.0 14 936 179 913 CR Example
    101 BK 0.9 830 1.07 697 48.0 16 821 183 827 EG Example
    102 BL 0.6 857 1.26 693 84.0 17 922 183 921 GI Example
    103 BM 0.5 832 0.87 725 82.0 12 849 196 659 EG Example
    104 BN 0.9 832 0.69 728 62.8 16 888 207 765 GI Example
    105 BO 0.8 857 1.03 717 69.9 11 840 185 733 GA Example
    Underlined: indicates value outside scope of present disclosure.
    (*) CR: cold-rolled steel sheet (uncoated), GI: hot-dip galvanized steel sheet (without alloying treatment), GA: galvannealed steel sheet, EG: electrogalvanized steel sheet
  • [Table 3]
  • Table 3
    No. Steel sample ID Microstructure Evaluation result Remarks
    Area fraction Prior γ grain boundary occupancy (%) TS Dimensional accuracy Shear angle range
    Tempered M (%) Retained γ (%) F+B (%) TS (MPa) Evaluation YS (MPa) YR (%) Evaluation Evaluation
    1 A 89 0 11 30 1479 Good 1183 80 Good Excellent Example
    2 B 89 0 11 25 1458 Good 1181 81 Good Excellent Example
    3 B 90 0 10 97 1476 Good 1181 80 Good Excellent Example
    4 B 92 0 8 31 1502 Good 1232 82 Good Excellent Example
    5 B 89 1 10 20 1480 Good 1169 79 Good Good Example
    6 B 92 1 7 14 1538 Good 1200 78 Good Poor Comparative Example
    7 B 86 0 14 27 1215 Good 996 82 Good Excellent Example
    8 B 78 0 22 27 1135 Poor 908 80 Good Excellent Comparative Example
    9 B 93 1 6 30 1590 Good 1336 84 Good Excellent Example
    10 B 97 1 2 15 1704 Good 1517 89 Poor Poor Comparative Example
    11 B 85 1 14 97 1222 Good 990 81 Good Excellent Example
    12 B 83 1 16 98 1048 Poor 838 80 Good Excellent Comparative Example
    13 B 93 0 7 22 1529 Good 1193 78 Good Good Example
    14 B 88 0 12 8 1419 Good 1149 81 Good Poor Comparative Example
    15 B 88 0 12 22 1411 Good 1157 82 Good Good Example
    16 B 91 1 8 7 1487 Good 1204 81 Good Poor Comparative Example
    17 B 95 0 5 31 1607 Good 1366 85 Good Excellent Example
    18 B 96 1 3 4 1681 Good 1513 90 Poor Poor Comparative Example
    19 B 91 1 8 22 1473 Good 1193 81 Good Good Example
    20 B 90 0 10 11 1441 Good 1167 81 Good Poor Comparative Example
    21 B 85 1 14 97 1226 Good 993 81 Good Excellent Example
    22 B 83 1 16 99 1137 Poor 921 81 Good Excellent Comparative Example
    23 B 88 1 11 6 1399 Good 1147 82 Good Poor Comparative Example
    24 B 91 1 8 15 1482 Good 1200 81 Good Poor Comparative Example
    25 B 90 1 9 22 1509 Good 1252 83 Good Good Example
    26 B 93 0 7 14 1535 Good 1213 79 Good Poor Comparative Example
    27 B 88 0 12 29 1369 Good 1109 81 Good Excellent Example
    28 B 88 0 12 32 1417 Good 1148 81 Good Excellent Example
    29 B 88 2 10 31 1448 Good 1187 82 Good Good Example
    30 B 87 6 7 32 1547 Good 1284 83 Good Poor Comparative Example
    31 B 92 1 7 27 1567 Good 1222 78 Good Excellent Example
    32 B 91 0 9 26 1493 Good 1194 80 Good Excellent Example
    33 B 93 0 7 28 1619 Good 1295 80 Good Good Example
    34 B 92 1 7 35 1631 Good 1321 81 Good Good Example
    35 B 91 0 9 25 1225 Good 956 78 Good Excellent Example
    36 B 90 1 9 30 1199 Good 959 80 Good Excellent Example
    37 B 88 0 12 25 1632 Good 1338 82 Good Good Example
    38 B 92 0 8 31 1638 Good 1294 79 Good Good Example
    39 B 89 1 10 32 1223 Good 1003 82 Good Excellent Example
    40 B 91 1 8 26 1216 Good 997 82 Good Excellent Example
    41 C 90 1 9 32 1498 Good 1213 81 Good Excellent Example
    42 D 91 0 9 34 1396 Good 1131 81 Good Excellent Example
    43 E 90 1 9 33 1440 Good 1152 80 Good Excellent Example
    44 F 86 2 12 31 1205 Good 964 80 Good Excellent Example
    45 G 78 2 20 29 1031 Poor 845 82 Good Excellent Comparative Example
    46 H 91 1 8 35 1647 Good 1334 81 Good Good Example
    47 I 91 0 9 33 1770 Good 1398 79 Good Poor Comparative Example
    48 J 90 0 10 26 1210 Good 968 80 Good Excellent Example
    49 K 88 1 11 31 1056 Poor 845 80 Good Excellent Comparative Example
    50 L 86 2 12 31 1545 Good 1221 79 Good Good Example
    51 M 83 5 12 27 1574 Good 1275 81 Good Poor Comparative Example
    52 N 88 0 12 35 1223 Good 1003 82 Good Excellent Example
    53 O 77 1 22 28 1129 Poor 903 80 Good Excellent Comparative Example
    54 P 87 1 12 31 1586 Good 1237 78 Good Good Example
    55 Q 90 1 9 28 1757 Good 1423 81 Good Poor Comparative Example
    56 R 87 1 12 33 1328 Good 1076 81 Good Good Example
    57 S 90 0 10 25 1384 Good 1135 82 Good Poor Comparative Example
    58 T 93 0 7 29 1619 Good 1311 81 Good Good Example
    59 U 91 0 9 29 1453 Good 1191 82 Good Poor Comparative Example
    60 V 90 1 9 32 1503 Good 1172 78 Good Good Example
    61 W 89 0 11 28 1483 Good 1216 82 Good Poor Comparative Example
    62 X 89 0 11 30 1495 Good 1166 78 Good Good Example
    63 Y 87 1 12 26 1382 Good 1133 82 Good Poor Comparative Example
    64 Z 92 1 7 26 1474 Good 1194 81 Good Good Example
    65 AA 90 1 9 26 1412 Good 1101 78 Good Poor Comparative Example
    66 AB 90 0 10 27 1432 Good 1174 82 Good Excellent Example
    67 AC 89 0 11 32 1421 Good 1151 81 Good Excellent Example
    68 AD 87 1 12 33 1609 Good 1319 82 Good Good Example
    69 AE 89 1 10 29 1817 Good 1508 83 Good Poor Comparative Example
    70 AF 90 0 10 34 1437 Good 1178 82 Good Excellent Example
    71 AG 91 0 9 29 1638 Good 1360 83 Good Good Example
    72 AH 90 0 10 30 1800 Good 1476 82 Good Poor Comparative Example
    73 AI 92 0 8 26 1595 Good 1260 79 Good Excellent Example
    74 AJ 90 1 9 27 1604 Good 1283 80 Good Good Example
    75 AK 89 1 10 33 1734 Good 1439 83 Good Poor Comparative Example
    76 AL 92 1 7 26 1458 Good 1166 80 Good Excellent Example
    77 AM 89 1 10 31 1635 Good 1357 83 Good Good Example
    78 AN 88 1 11 29 1834 Good 1486 81 Good Poor Comparative Example
    79 AO 93 0 7 28 1603 Good 1330 83 Good Excellent Example
    80 AP 90 1 9 22 1493 Good 1179 79 Good Excellent Example
    81 AQ 86 0 14 31 1219 Good 1012 83 Good Excellent Example
    82 AR 95 0 5 32 1622 Good 1362 84 Good Excellent Example
    83 AS 85 1 14 29 1210 Good 992 82 Good Excellent Example
    84 AT 93 0 7 23 1522 Good 1233 81 Good Good Example
    85 AU 90 0 10 23 1551 Good 1272 82 Good Good Example
    86 AV 93 1 6 35 1654 Good 1406 85 Good Excellent Example
    87 AW 89 1 10 22 1512 Good 1210 80 Good Good Example
    88 AX 86 0 14 25 1216 Good 948 78 Good Excellent Example
    89 AY 92 1 7 20 1502 Good 1172 78 Good Good Example
    90 AZ 90 0 10 26 1413 Good 1145 81 Good Excellent Example
    91 BA 87 2 11 34 1455 Good 1149 79 Good Good Example
    92 BB 93 0 7 27 1510 Good 1208 80 Good Excellent Example
    93 BC 91 1 8 26 1650 Good 1304 79 Good Good Example
    94 BD 92 0 8 26 1211 Good 981 81 Good Excellent Example
    95 BE 87 1 12 27 1632 Good 1289 79 Good Good Example
    96 BF 88 0 12 35 1201 Good 973 81 Good Excellent Example
    97 BG 88 1 11 27 1490 Good 1222 82 Good Excellent Example
    98 BH 89 1 10 27 1457 Good 1180 81 Good Excellent Example
    99 BI 91 1 8 27 1461 Good 1169 80 Good Excellent Example
    100 BJ 92 0 8 33 1539 Good 1200 78 Good Excellent Example
    101 BK 93 0 7 27 1536 Good 1275 83 Good Excellent Example
    102 BL 90 0 10 27 1469 Good 1161 79 Good Excellent Example
    103 BM 92 0 8 30 1530 Good 1255 82 Good Excellent Example
    104 BN 89 1 10 31 1477 Good 1182 80 Good Excellent Example
    105 BO 89 0 11 28 1474 Good 1223 83 Good Excellent Example
    Underlined: indicates value outside scope of present disclosure.
  • As indicated in Table 3, all of the Examples passed testing in terms of TS, dimensional accuracy, and shear angle range. Further, all of the members obtained by forming or joining using the steel sheets of the Examples had the desired shapes without any cracks. Further, in such members, delayed fracture did not occur even when the shear angle of the shearing was changed. The dimensional accuracy was also good.
  • In contrast, for the Comparative Examples, at least one of TS, dimensional accuracy, and shear angle range did not pass testing.

Claims (8)

  1. A steel sheet comprising: a chemical composition containing, in mass%,
    C: 0.030 % or more and 0.500 % or less,
    Si: 0.010 % or more and 2.500 % or less,
    Mn: 0.10 % or more and 5.00 % or less,
    P: 0.100 % or less,
    S: 0.0200 % or less,
    N: 0.0100 % or less,
    O: 0.0100 % or less, and
    Al: 1.000 % or less,
    with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity; and a steel microstructure wherein
    area fraction of tempered martensite is 83 % or more,
    area fraction of retained austenite is less than 3 %,
    total area fraction of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is 5 % or more and less than 15 %, and
    occupancy rate of prior austenite grain boundaries by the ferrite and the bainitic ferrite is 20 % or more.
  2. The steel sheet according to claim 1, wherein the chemical composition further contains, in mass%, at least one selected from the group consisting of
    Ti: 0.200 % or less,
    Nb: 0.200 % or less,
    V: 0.200 % or less,
    Ta: 0.10 % or less,
    W: 0.10 % or less,
    B: 0.0100 % or less,
    Cr: 1.00 % or less,
    Mo: 1.00 % or less,
    Ni: 1.00 % or less,
    Co: 0.010 % or less,
    Cu: 1.00 % or less,
    Sn: 0.200 % or less,
    Sb: 0.200 % or less,
    Ca: 0.0100 % or less,
    Mg: 0.0100 % or less,
    REM: 0.0100 % or less,
    Zr: 0.100 % or less,
    Te: 0.100 % or less,
    Hf: 0.10 % or less, and
    Bi: 0.200 % or less.
  3. The steel sheet according to claim 1, further comprising a coated or plated layer on a surface.
  4. The steel sheet according to claim 2, further comprising a coated or plated layer on a surface.
  5. A member made using the steel sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
  6. A method of producing the steel sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising:
    a preparation process of preparing a blank sheet having the chemical composition according to claim 1 or 2;
    a heating process of heating the blank sheet under a set of conditions including an average heating rate in a temperature range from 700 °C to 750 °C of 5.0 °C/s or less, and
    a maximum arrival temperature T1 of 800 °C or more and 900 °C or less;
    a first cooling process of cooling the blank sheet under a set of conditions including an average cooling rate in a temperature range from the maximum arrival temperature T1 to an intermediate holding temperature T2 of 0.10 °C/s or more and 5.00 °C/s or less;
    an intermediate holding process of holding the blank sheet under a set of conditions including the intermediate holding temperature T2 being 600 °C or more and 750 °C or less,
    an intermediate holding time t2 of 1.0 s or longer and 2000.0 s or shorter, and
    a tension applied to the blank sheet of 5 MPa or more;
    a second cooling process of cooling the blank sheet under a set of conditions including an average cooling rate in a temperature range from 300 °C to 100 °C of 300 °C/s or more,
    to a second cooling end temperature; and
    a tempering process of tempering the blank sheet under a set of conditions including a tempering temperature T3 of 100 °C or more and 400 °C or less, and
    a tempering time t3 of 10 s or longer and 10,000 s or shorter.
  7. The method of producing a steel sheet according to claim 6, further comprising a coating or plating process of applying a coating or plating treatment to the blank sheet between the intermediate holding process and the second cooling process, or after the tempering process.
  8. A method of producing a member, wherein the steel sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is subjected to at least one of a forming process or a joining process to produce the member.
EP23930853.9A 2023-03-27 2023-11-21 Steel sheet, member, and methods for producing same Pending EP4656756A1 (en)

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JP6112261B2 (en) 2015-03-25 2017-04-12 Jfeスチール株式会社 Cold rolled steel sheet and method for producing the same
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JP7001197B2 (en) 2020-01-31 2022-01-19 Jfeスチール株式会社 Steel sheets, members and their manufacturing methods

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WO2016129550A1 (en) * 2015-02-13 2016-08-18 株式会社神戸製鋼所 Ultra-high-strength steel plate having excellent delayed fracture resistance at cut end thereof
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JP6112261B2 (en) 2015-03-25 2017-04-12 Jfeスチール株式会社 Cold rolled steel sheet and method for producing the same
JP6747612B1 (en) 2018-10-10 2020-08-26 Jfeスチール株式会社 High-strength steel sheet and method for manufacturing the same
JP7001197B2 (en) 2020-01-31 2022-01-19 Jfeスチール株式会社 Steel sheets, members and their manufacturing methods

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