[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a cold-rolled steel sheet which is most suitable
for members of large-size tabular parts such as backlight chassis for large-size liquid
crystal display televisions and which has excellent formability, shape fixability,
and surface appearance and also relates to a method for manufacturing the same.
[Background Art]
[0002] In recent years, the upsizing of thin-screen televisions has led to the upsizing
of backlight chassis for liquid crystal display televisions. In addition, there are
significant needs for lighter televisions and the reduction of material costs and
thinner backlight chassis are used. However, backlight chassis need to have rigidity
to support lights, need to be good in flatness, and need to hardly be deformed such
that the lights do not hit liquid crystal sections or crack, that is, backlight chassis
need to be free from so-called "twist". Requirements for rigidity and flatness have
become more severe because of the upsizing and thinning of backlight chassis.
[0003] In order to ensure rigidity, it is effective to form a bead on a flat surface of
a backlight chassis by stretching. However, the machining of the flat surface causes
new problems such as the deterioration of flatness and the increase of "twist". In
the case of ensuring rigidity by bending an end portion, similar problems occur. Since
the deterioration of flatness is a phenomenon caused by poor shape fixability, steel
sheets used as members are increasingly required to have workability and shape fixability.
[0004] An example of a conventional steel sheet with excellent shape fixability is a steel
sheet in which the texture is controlled and in which at least one of the Lankford
value in the rolling direction and the Lankford value in a direction perpendicular
to the rolling direction is 0.7 or less as disclosed in Patent Literature 1. It is
disclosed that the springback of this steel sheet is small during bending. Patent
Literature 2 discloses a method for suppressing springback or camber during bending
by controlling the anisotropy of local elongation or uniform elongation. Furthermore,
Patent Literature 3 discloses a method for suppressing springback during bending by
adjusting the ratio of the {100} plane to the {111} plane to 1.0 or more.
[0005] Backlight chassis, formed by drawing, for large-size televisions have the problem
of "twist". This is due to that the feed of a steel sheet is uneven during drawing
and therefore the thickness of a shaped portion is uneven.
[0006] Furthermore, markings called stretcher strains are caused during the shaping of these
backlight chassis, leading to the problem of the poor flatness and poor appearance
of these backlight chassis. Patent Literature 4 discloses a method for reducing the
yield elongation of low-carbon steel that is responsible for stretcher strains. In
this method, an appropriate amount of B is added and the center line valley depth
(Rv) and the center line average (Ra), which are surface roughness parameters, are
adjusted to 0.5 to 10 µm and 0.5 µm or more, respectively, during cold rolling.
[0007] A further cold-rolled steel sheet is e.g. known from patent literature 5. As an example,
patent literature 5 discloses a steel sheet with a composition of 0.032 wt% C, 0.01
wt% Si, 0.18 wt% Mn, 0.009 wt% P, 0.008 wt% S, 0.033 wt% Al and 0.020 wt% N. Said
steel sheet has an in-plate anisotropy Δr in the range of 0.02 to 0.42, a Lankford
value of 0.98 to 1.34 a tensile strength of 308 to 318 and a yield strength of 196
to 205. Patent literature 5 also discloses a method for the production of the afore-said
steel sheet.
[0008] Further cold-rolled steel sheets and production methods for the steel sheets are
e.g. known from patent literature 6 and patent literature 7.
[Citation List]
[Patent Literature]
[Summary of Invention]
[Technical Problem]
[0010] In backlight chassis for 32-inch and larger liquid crystal display televisions, for
which the market has been greatly expanding In recent years, dome height or the number
of flared portions is usually increased for the purpose of ensuring rigidity in spite
of a reduction in thickness; hence, high elongation is needed to machine these portions.
However, there is a problem in that techniques disclosed in Patent Literatures 1 to
3 are incapable of achieving workability to ensure required part geometry and rigidity.
[0011] A reduction in yield strength is known to be effective in suppressing springback.
In general, low-carbon steels have high yield strength and insufficient elongation.
Therefore, ultra-low-carbon steels are used for portions that are difficult to machine.
The softening of steel is effective in reducing the yield strength and an increase
in annealing temperature and an increase in cold-rolling reduction are effective as
techniques therefor. However, the softening of steel develops a (111)-oriented texture
to increase the Lankford value. Low-carbon steel can be probably applied to parts
such as backlight chassis for large-size TVs only by achieving both the softening
of steel for the purpose of suppressing springback and the reduction of the Lankford
value for the purpose of suppressing the strain caused by bending. However, in conventional
low-carbon steels, the softening of steel and high Lankford values have been principally
required.
[0012] For the problem of geometrical flatness and poor appearance, it is important that
the yield strength of a steel sheet is small not only just after the steel sheet is
manufactured but also until the steel sheet is shaped, that is, properties thereof
after aging are important. However, the method disclosed in Patent Literature 4 needs
to meet all the requirement of the surface roughness of a cold-rolled sheet, the requirement
of the cooling rate thereof during recrystallization annealing, and the requirements
of overaging conditions and therefore has a problem that the control of manufacturing
conditions is complicated.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to solve problems associated with such conventional
techniques. That is, in low-carbon steel, it is an object of the present invention
to provide a cold-rolled steel sheet and a method for manufacturing the same. The
cold-rolled steel sheet satisfies both workability and shape fixability; can be subjected
to drawing, bending, and stretching; can ensure shapes required for large-size parts;
has high flatness; is free from appearance defects; and is excellent in formability,
shape fixability, and surface appearance.
[Solution to Problem]
[0014] Features of the present invention that are intended to solve the problems are as
described below.
- (1) A cold-rolled steel sheet having a composition consisting of 0.030% to 0.060%
C, 0.05% or less Si, 0.1% to 0.3% Mn, 0.05% or less P, 0.02% or less S, 0.02% to 0.10%
Al, and 0.005% or less N on a mass % basis, the remainder being iron and unavoidable
impurities; containing a ferrite microstructure with ferrite grains having an average
size of 7 µm or more, the mean yield strength (YSm) thereof is 230 MPa or less as determined by the following equation (a); the mean
elongation (Elm) thereof is 40% or more as determined by the following equation (b); the Lankford
value (rL,rC) thereof is 0.7 to 1.4 in the rolling direction and the direction perpendicular to
the rolling direction; the in-plane anisotropy (Δr) of the Lankford value thereof
satisfies the inequality -0.2 ≤ Δr ≤ 0.2 as determined by the following equation (c);
and the yield elongation of the cold-rolled steel sheet aged at 170°C for 60 minutes
is 2% or less in the rolling direction, a direction at 45 degrees to the rolling direction,
and the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction:



where YSm is the mean yield strength, Elm is the mean elongation, Δr is the in-plane anisotropy of the Lankford value, YSL is the yield strength in the rolling direction, YSD is the yield strength in the direction at 45 degrees to the rolling direction, YSC is the yield strength in the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction, ElL is the elongation in the rolling direction, ElD is the elongation in the direction at 45 degrees to the rolling direction, ElC is the elongation in the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction, rL is the Lankford value in the rolling direction, rD is the Lankford value in the direction at 45 degrees to the rolling direction, and
rC is the Lankford value in the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction.
- (2) A method for manufacturing a cold-rolled steel sheet includes heating a slab of
steel having the composition specified in Item (1) to a heating temperature of 1200°C
or higher, performing hot rolling such that finish rolling is ended at a temperature
of (A1 transformation temperature - 50°C) to (A1 transformation temperature + 100°C),
performing coiling at 550°C to 680°C, performing pickling, performing cold rolling
at a rolling reduction of 50% to 85%, performing heating to an annealing temperature
of 700°C or higher from 600°C or higher at an average heating rate of 1 to 30 °C/s,
holding the annealing temperature with a soaking time in the range of 30 s to 200
s and then performing cooling to 600°C at an average cooling rate of 3 °C/s to 30°
C/s.
[0015] The present invention has been made as a result of intensive investigations performed
to solve the above-mentioned problems. In the case where a large rectangular flat
plate is taken from a steel sheet and is then machined into a required part, in view
of material yield and operation, it is advantageous that the plate is taken therefrom
such that the long sides of the rectangular plate are parallel to the rolling direction
of the steel sheet or a direction perpendicular to the rolling direction thereof.
In the case of taking materials in such a way, the present invention allows even large-size
parts to satisfy workability and surface quality. That is, drawing and stretching
can be performed by increasing the mean elongation, whereby shapes required for parts
can be ensured. The occurrence of springback can be suppressed after machining by
reducing the yield strength, whereby shape fixability can be ensured. The Lankford
value is adjusted to 0.7 to 1.4 in the rolling direction and the direction perpendicular
to the rolling direction and the inequality - 0.2 ≤ Δr ≤ 0.2 holds; hence, shape fixability
can be ensured. Furthermore, it is most important that adjusting the aged yield strength
to 2% or less allows the formation of stretcher strains to be suppressed during machining,
surface appearance to be rendered excellent, the occurrence of springback to be suppressed
after machining, and shape fixability to be ensured.
[0016] In the present invention, the mechanism of an increase in elongation and a reduction
in yield strength is believed as described below. That is, in hot rolling, the finish
temperature is adjusted to (A1 transformation temperature-50°C) to (A1 transformation
temperature + 100°C) and rolling is ended such that austenite is not formed but ferrite
is formed, whereby the grain size of a ferrite microstructure is coarsened. This allows
the size of grains to be coarsened after cold rolling or recrystallization annealing
and enables softening.
[0017] Meanwhile, in hot rolling, finish rolling is ended within a range from (A1 transformation
temperature - 50°C) to (A1 transformation temperature + 100°C), whereby the (110)
orientation is formed in a surface layer of a hot-rolled steel sheet. The hot-rolled
steel sheet is cold-rolled and is then recrystallization-annealed, whereby the Lankford
value is maintained low because of the development of the (110) orientation. This
enables softening due to the coarsening of ferrite grains with the Lankford value
maintained low. Furthermore, yield elongation is completely eliminated and aged yield
strength is reduced; hence, a steel sheet in which the formation of stretcher strains
is suppressed after shaping and which has excellent surface appearance can be obtained.
In the present invention, details of the reason for the elimination of yield strength
are not clear but the mechanism thereof is believed as described below. That is, the
(110) orientation is known to be an orientation in which strain is likely to be accumulated
and the development of this orientation in the surface layer allows strain due to
cold rolling or temper rolling to be readily introduced. This is likely to cause so-called
dislocation; hence, the formation of stretcher strains is supposed to be difficult.
[0018] Even if the cold-rolled steel sheet according to the present invention is converted
into a thin cold-rolled steel sheet with a thickness of 1.0 mm to 0.5 mm, this steel
sheet is free from stretcher strains and has excellent surface appearance. Cold-rolled
steel sheets contemplated by the present invention include steel sheets manufactured
by subjecting cold-rolled steel sheets to surface treatment such as electrogalvanizing
or galvanizing and steel sheets manufactured by providing coatings on those steel
sheets.
[0019] The steel sheet according to the present invention can be widely used for not only
backlight chassis for large-size TVs but also common members, such as panels for refrigerators
and air conditioner outdoor units, for home appliance use, the common members having
flat portions and being subjected to bending, stretching, or slight drawing. The present
invention can be used to manufacture a backlight chassis with a size of about 850
mm x 650 mm (42V type) from a steel sheet with a thickness of, for example, 0.8 mm.
[Advantageous Effects of Invention]
[0020] According to the present invention, the following sheet can be obtained: a cold-rolled
steel sheet which is capable of achieving low yield elongation, excellent elongation,
low yield strength, and low aged yield elongation; which satisfies both workability
and shape fixability; which can be subjected to drawing, bending, and stretching;
and which is excellent in formability, shape fixability, and surface appearance. This
allows tabular shapes required for large-size parts to be ensured; hence, members
such as backlight chassis for large-size liquid crystal display televisions can be
manufactured.
[Description of Embodiments]
[0021] Chemical components of a steel sheet according to the present invention will now
be described. In descriptions below, the content % of each component element is expressed
in mass percent.
C: 0.030% to 0.060%
[0022] During recrystallization annealing, solute C is reduced by forming cementite. In
this operation, when the content of C is less than 0.030%, the yield strength cannot
be adjusted to 230 MPa or less because the degree of supersaturation is too small
to precipitate carbides and therefore the precipitation of the carbides is insufficient.
Thus, the lower limit is 0.030%. When the content thereof is more than 0.060%, the
workability is seriously deteriorated. Thus, the upper limit is 0.060%.
Si: 0.05% or less
[0023] When a large amount of Si is contained, the workability is deteriorated because of
hardening or the platability is impaired because of the formation of silicon oxide
during annealing. Furthermore, scale is formed on the surface because of the concentration
of Si and therefore the surface appearance may probably be impaired. Thus, the upper
limit is 0.05%.
Mn: 0.1% to 0.3%
[0024] Mn converts harmful S in steel into MnS, which is harmless, and therefore the content
thereof needs to be 0.1% or more. However, a large amount of Mn causes the deterioration
of workability because of hardening or suppresses the recrystallization of ferrite
during annealing; hence, the content thereof needs to be 0.3% or less.
P: 0.05% or less
[0025] Since P segregates at grain boundaries to deteriorate ductility and toughness, the
content thereof needs to be 0.05% or less and is preferably 0.03% or less.
S: 0.02% or less
[0026] S seriously reduces hot ductility and therefore causes hot cracking to seriously
deteriorate surface quality. Furthermore, S hardly contributes to strength and reduces
ductility because S serves as an impurity element to form coarse MnS. These problems
are serious when the content of S is more than 0.02%; hence, the content thereof is
preferably minimized. Thus, the content of S needs to be 0.02% or less.
Al: 0.02% to 0.10%
[0027] Al fixes nitrogen in the form of a nitride, whereby age hardening due to solute N
can be suppressed. In order to achieve such an effect, the content of Al needs to
be 0.02% or more. However, a large amount of Al causes the deterioration of workability.
Thus, the content of Al needs to be 0.10% or less.
N: 0.005% or less
[0028] When a large amount of N is contained, surface flaws may possibly be caused because
slab cracking occurs during hot rolling. The presence of solute N causes age hardening
after cold rolling or annealing. Thus, the content of N needs to be 0.005% or less.
[0029] The metallographic structure of the steel sheet according to the present invention
is substantially made of ferrite and cementite. The average ferrite grain size of
a ferrite microstructure is 7 µm or more. Coarse ferrite grains are achieved in a
hot rolling step as described below.
[0030] The steel sheet according to the present invention has a mean yield strength of 230
MPa or less as determined by above Equation (a). When the mean yield strength thereof
exceeds 230 MPa, shape failures such as springback are caused in some cases. Thus,
the mean yield strength thereof is 230 MPa or less.
[0031] The steel sheet according to the present invention has a Lankford value of 0.7 to
1.4 in the rolling direction thereof and the direction perpendicular to the rolling
direction. The phenomenon "twist", which is due to shape fixability as described above,
is known to be caused by edge warp during bending or stretching and can be suppressed
by reducing the Lankford value. However, when the Lankford value is small, drawing
is difficult. The inventors have found that the Lankford value needs to be 0.7 to
1.4 as an indicator showing that edge warp is suppressed and drawing is possible.
[0032] In the case of machining large rectangular flat plates into required parts, in view
of material yield and operation, it is advantageous that the plates are taken from
steel sheets such that the long sides of the rectangular plates are parallel to the
rolling direction of the steel sheets or a direction perpendicular to the rolling
direction thereof. In the steel sheet according to the present invention, materials
are taken in such a way and are machined into parts. In order to balance the workability
and flatness of large-size parts, the upper limit of the Lankford value is limited
to 1.4 in the rolling direction and the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction,
whereby in the case of bending an end portion of a long side and an end portion of
a short side of a rectangular flat plate, a material can be prevented from being fed
into a corner portion thereof and the flatness of the parts can be maintained. Furthermore,
the lower limit of the Lankford value is limited to 0.7, whereby the rigidity of the
parts can be prevented from being reduced due to the reduction in thickness of the
corner portion. The lower limit of the Lankford value is preferably more than 0.7
and more preferably 0.75 or more.
[0033] The steel sheet according to the present invention has a mean elongation of 40% or
more as determined by above Equation (b). In addition to the above properties, the
mean elongation thereof is increased to 40% or more, whereby the steel sheet can be
drawn and stretched and shapes necessary for parts can be ensured.
[0034] In the steel sheet according to the present invention, the in-plane anisotropy (Δr)
of the Lankford value satisfies the inequality -0.2 ≤ Δr ≤ 0.2 as determined by above
Equation (c). In the case of forming backlight chassis for large-size TVs or the like
by drawing, "twist" occurs after drawing in some cases. This occurs because the feed
of a plate is uneven during drawing and therefore the thickness of a drawn portion
is uneven. Therefore, the in-plane anisotropy (Δr) of the Lankford value is preferably
close to "0" and the feed of a plate is preferably even; hence, Δr is limited to the
range of -0.2 to 0.2.
[0035] In addition to the above, the steel sheet according to the present invention has
a yield elongation of 2% or less in each of the rolling direction thereof, a direction
at 45 degrees to the rolling direction thereof, and a direction perpendicular to the
rolling direction thereof after the steel sheet is aged at 170°C for 60 minutes. The
yield elongation thereof is reduced not only just after the manufacture of the steel
sheet but also the aging thereof, whereby stretcher strains are suppressed after shaping
and the steel sheet can be manufactured so as to have excellent surface appearance.
[0036] Conditions for manufacturing the steel sheet according to the present invention are
described below. In the present invention, a slab having the above composition is
hot-rolled in such a manner that the finish rolling temperature thereof is adjusted
to (A1 transformation temperature - 50°C) to (A1 transformation temperature + 100°C),
whereby a hot-rolled steel sheet is manufactured such that the grain size of ferrite
is increased and the
[0037] (110) orientation is developed in a surface layer of the hot-rolled steel sheet during
hot rolling. The hot-rolled steel sheet is cold-rolled and is then recrystallization-annealed,
whereby coarse ferrite grains are formed. This allows low yield strength and excellent
elongation to be achieved and yield elongation to be completely eliminated, whereby
an appropriate Lankford value can be obtained.
Heating temperature: 1200°C or higher
[0038] Since it is necessary that carbides such as A1N are once converted into solid solutions
during heating before hot rolling and are then finely precipitated after coiling,
the heating temperature during hot rolling needs to be 1200°C or higher.
Finish rolling final temperature: (A1 transformation temperature - 50°C) to (A1 transformation
temperature + 100°C)
[0039] Hot rolling needs to be performed at a finish temperature of (A1 transformation temperature
- 50°C) to (A1 transformation temperature + 100°C), which is a key point of the present
invention. This ends rolling such that the microstructure of steel is not austenite
but ferrite. Rolling is ended with ferrite microstructure, whereby the transformation
from austenite to ferrite is completed and strain is caused by rolling at about 700°C
to 800°C; hence, ferrite grains coarsen. This allows the hot-rolled steel sheet to
have a coarse grain size. Herein, the A1 transformation temperature is about 720°C.
Coiling temperature: 550°C to 680°C
[0040] During coiling, the grain size is increased, carbides are aggregated, and the amount
of solute C is reduced.
[0041] When the coiling temperature after finish rolling is low, the formation of acicular
ferrite hardens the steel sheet to cause an increase in rolling force during subsequent
cold rolling and therefore the difficulty of operation is caused. Furthermore, the
aggregation of carbides is insufficient and therefore a large amount of solute C remains;
hence, the yield strength cannot be reduced. Thus, the coiling temperature needs to
be 550°C or higher and is preferably 600°C or higher. However, when the coiling temperature
is higher than 680°C, the temperature of an edge portion of a steel sheet coil (the
steel sheet coiled in the form of a coil) decreases relatively, the control of the
temperature in the coil is difficult, and the yield is reduced. Furthermore, the steel
sheet coil is seized, a large amount of scale is caused, it is insufficient to remove
the scale by pickling prior to cold rolling, and defects are caused during cold rolling.
Thus, the coiling temperature needs to be 680°C or lower.
Rolling reduction (cold-rolling reduction) during cold rolling: 50% to 85%
[0042] The cold-rolling reduction may be within a common range. When the cold-rolling reduction
is low, the thickness of a hot-rolled sheet for obtaining a steel sheet with a desired
thickness is extremely small and the load during hot rolling is large. Therefore,
the lower limit of the cold-rolling reduction is 50%. The upper limit thereof is 85%,
which is common for cold rolling mills.
Average heating rate at 600°C or higher: 1 to 30 °C/s
[0043] In the annealing of the cold-rolled steel sheet, when the heating rate from 600°C
to the annealing temperature is small, carbides produced in the hot-rolled steel sheet
are dissolved and solute C increases. Thus, the average heating rate from 600°C to
the annealing temperature needs to be 1 °C/s or more. However, when the heating rate
is large, the concentration of C in precipitated carbides is insufficient; hence,
a large amount of solute C remains and the yield elongation cannot be reduced. Thus,
the average heating rate is 30 °C/s or less.
Annealing temperature: 700°C or higher
[0044] The annealing temperature may be a temperature suitable for recrystallization. For
low-carbon steels, recrystallization usually occurs at 700°C or higher and therefore
the annealing temperature is 700°C or higher. Since the steel sheet is hard when the
annealing temperature exceeds the AC
3 transformation temperature, the annealing temperature is preferably not lower than
the AC
3 transformation temperature and more preferably not lower than 800°C.
[0045] When the time (soaking time) to hold the annealing temperature (also referred to
as the soaking temperature is short, the growth of grains is suppressed even though
recrystallization is completed or not; hence, sufficient elongation cannot be ensured
in some cases. Thus, soaking time is 30 s or more. However, when the soaking time
is excessively long, the grains are grown to be large; hence, the problem of surface
roughness occurs during machining and therefore surface quality is likely to be impaired.
Thus, the soaking time is 200 s or less.
[0046] Average cooling rate at down to 600°C: 3 °C/s or more After being heated to the annealing
temperature, the steel sheet is cooled. When the average cooling rate from the annealing
temperature to 600°C is less than 3 °C/s, C precipitated in the form of carbides forms
solid solutions again to increase the yield strength. Thus, the average cooling rate
from the annealing temperature to 600°C needs to be 3 °C/s or more. However, when
the cooling rate exceeds 30 °C/s, the growth of ferrite grains is likely to be insufficient;
hence, the yield strength is likely to be high and the steel sheet is likely to be
hard. Thus, the average cooling rate is 30 °C/s or less.
[0047] A production process such as a common converter process or electric furnace process
can be used to carry out the present invention. Produced steel is cast into a slab,
which is directly hot-rolled or is cooled, heated and then hot-rolled. The hot-rolled
steel sheet is finished under the above-mentioned finish conditions and is then coiled
at the above-mentioned coiling temperature. The cooling rate from finish rolling to
coiling is not particularly limited and may be a rate equal to or greater than that
obtained by air cooling. Quenching may be performed at 100 °C/s or more as required.
After common pickling is performed, cold rolling is performed as described above.
Annealing is performed after cold rolling in such a manner that heating and then cooling
are performed under the above-mentioned conditions. The cooling rate at temperatures
lower than 600°C is arbitrary. Galvanizing may be performed at about 480°C as required.
After galvanizing is performed, a coating may be alloyed by reheating the coating
to 500°C or higher. Alternatively, thermal history may be preserved by holding or
the like in the course of cooling. Furthermore, temper rolling may be performed at
an elongation of about 0.5% to 2% as required. If plating is not performed in the
course of annealing, electrogalvanizing or the like may be performed for the purpose
of enhancing corrosion resistance. Furthermore, a coating may be provided on a cold-rolled
steel sheet or a plated steel sheet by chemical conversion or the like.
[EXAMPLE 1]
[0048] Examples of the present invention will now be described.
[0049] Table 1 shows the chemical composition, manufacturing conditions, and properties
of each specimen.
[0050]

[0051] After slabs having chemical compositions shown in Table 1 were produced, each slab
was heated at a heating temperature (RT) for one hour, was roughly rolled, and was
then treated at a finish temperature (FT) and coiling temperature (CT). Steels according
to the present invention had an A1 transformation temperature of about 720°C. Hot-rolled
sheets had a thickness of 2.0 mm to 3.5 mm. After the hot-rolled sheets were pickled,
the hot-rolled sheets were cold-rolled and then annealed under conditions shown in
Table 1. The cold-rolled sheets had a thickness of 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm. Herein, the heating
rate is the average heating rate from 600°C to the soaking temperature and the cooling
rate is the average cooling rate from the soaking temperature to 600°C. Cooling was
performed from 600°C to room temperature at a similar cooling rate. After annealing
was performed, temper rolling was performed at a rolling reduction of 1.0%. The ferrite
grain size and mechanical properties of ferrite microstructures were investigated.
For tensile properties, JIS No. 5 tensile specimens were cut out in a rolling direction
(L-direction), a direction (D-direction) at 45 degrees to the rolling direction, and
a direction (C-direction) perpendicular to the rolling direction and were then subjected
to a tensile test at a cross-head speed of 10 mm/min. JIS No. 5 tensile specimens
were cut out in the L-direction, the D-direction, and the C-direction and were then
measured for Lankford value with a prestrain of 15%. The Lankford value (r
L) in the L-direction, the Lankford value (r
C) in the C-direction, the Lankford value (r
d) in the D-direction, the mean yield strength (YSm), and the mean elongation (Elm)
were determined. Furthermore, the yield strength was measured in each of the rolling
direction (L-direction), the direction (D-direction) at 45 degrees to the rolling
direction, and the direction (C-direction) perpendicular to the rolling direction
and the aged yield strength was also measured after holding at 170°C for 60 minutes.
Herein, the following equation holds:

where the subscripts L, D, and C each denote El in a corresponding one of the above
directions.
[0052] The average ferrite grain size was determined in accordance with JIS G 0551 (2005).
[0053] The measurement results are summarized in Table 1. The yield strength is the maximum
value of the measurements in each direction.
[0054] According to Table 1, steel sheets which were manufactured by a method according
to the present invention and which have compositions according to the present invention
have an average ferrite grain size of 7 µm or more; a mean yield strength (YSm) of
230 MPa or less in each of the rolling direction, the direction at 45 degrees to the
rolling direction, and the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction; a mean
elongation (Elm) of 40% or more; a Lankford value (r
L, r
C) of 0.7 to 1.4 in each of the rolling direction and the direction perpendicular to
the rolling direction; and an aged yield strength of 2% or less. The in-plane anisotropy
(Δr) of the Lankford value of the steel sheets satisfies the inequality -0.2 ≤ Δr
≤ 0.2. In contrast, steel sheets which have compositions outside the scope of the
present invention or which have compositions within the scope of the present invention
and were manufactured by methods outside the scope of the present invention are inferior
in any one of YSm, Elm, r
L, r
C, Δr, and yield elongation.