Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cold-rolled steel sheet and a method for manufacturing
the same, and more particularly, to an ultra-high strength cold-rolled steel sheet
having excellent bendability and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, and a method
for manufacturing the same.
Background Art
[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for higher strength in steel sheets
applied to automotive frame parts. Furthermore, for some parts, the application of
ultra-high strength steel sheets with a tensile strength exceeding 1500 MPa is underway.
[0003] To obtain such ultra-high strength, it is effective to use a steel structure mainly
composed of a hard phase such as martensite or bainite. However, such a steel structure
has lower elongation compared to dual-phase steels of ferrite and martensite, and
due to crack formation during forming, its application is limited to parts formed
by relatively simple bending processes.
[0004] Although the composition of the hardened structure is necessary to improve the strength
of the steel sheet, its application as a suitable automotive part has been limited
because not only do cracks occur during part forming, but impact properties during
a collision are also degraded. Therefore, to achieve high strength in automotive parts
with a steel structure mainly composed of martensite, in addition to securing the
target strength, it is necessary to secure crashworthiness during a vehicle collision
by developing a steel material with superior resistance to hydrogen embrittlement
and fatigue properties, in order for it to be widely applied as a high-strength steel
material for automotive parts.
[0005] Meanwhile, Hot Press Forming (HPF) steel is a material with superior part formability
and crash properties. The HPF forming technique involves press forming a material
in a hot state, where the required strength is secured through water cooling between
the die and the material after forming the material at a high temperature. Therefore,
it is widely used because it can secure higher strength for the same thickness and
is also excellent in terms of formability.
[0006] However, due to problems in application arising from excessive facility investment
costs and increased process costs, research on the development of materials for cold
stamping with a tensile strength of 1500 MPa or higher has been actively conducted
recently.
[0007] Meanwhile, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for securing strength by adding
hardenability elements such as C and Mn to secure strength, and then obtaining martensite
at room temperature through water cooling after conventional annealing.
[0008] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for securing a high-strength
steel by optimizing cooling conditions during cooling.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[0010] An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a cold-rolled steel sheet and a
method for manufacturing the same.
[0011] An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an ultra-high strength cold-rolled
steel sheet with excellent bendability and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, and
a method for manufacturing the same.
[0012] The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned contents.
A person skilled in the art will have no difficulty in understanding additional objects
of the present disclosure from the overall description herein.
Solution to Problem
[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cold-rolled steel sheet may
comprise, by weight %, carbon (C): 0.20-0.30%, silicon (Si): 0.5% or less, manganese
(Mn): 1.5-3.5%, boron (B): 0.0005-0.0030%, phosphorus (P): 0.010% or less, sulfur
(S): 0.010% or less, nitrogen (N): 0.010% or less, aluminum (Al): 0.010-0.100%, chromium
(Cr): 0.20% or less, molybdenum (Mo): 0.10% or less, niobium (Nb): 0.010-0.100%, and
titanium (Ti): 0.010-0.100%, with the balance being iron (Fe) and other unavoidable
impurities,
wherein a ratio a/b*100 of a residual stress (a) at a 1/2 point in a thickness direction
of the steel sheet to a residual stress (b) in a region up to 30 µm from a surface
toward a center of the thickness is 95.0% or more.
[0014] The cold-rolled steel sheet may further comprise at least one of vanadium (V): 0.01-0.10%
and antimony (Sb): 0.10% or less.
[0015] In the cold-rolled steel sheet, a microstructure in a region up to 30 µm from the
surface toward the center of the thickness may mainly include at least one of martensite
and tempered martensite, and may include, by area %, a sum of ferrite and bainite
of 5.0% or less.
[0016] The cold-rolled steel sheet may have a tensile strength of 1500 MPa or more and a
bendability (R/t) of 3.5 or less.
[0017] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing
a cold-rolled steel sheet comprises: reheating a steel slab comprising, by weight
%, carbon (C): 0.20-0.30%, silicon (Si): 0.5% or less, manganese (Mn): 1.5-3.5%, boron
(B): 0.0005-0.0030%, phosphorus (P): 0.010% or less, sulfur (S): 0.010% or less, nitrogen
(N): 0.010% or less, aluminum (Al): 0.010-0.100%, chromium (Cr): 0.20% or less, molybdenum
(Mo): 0.10% or less, niobium (Nb): 0.010-0.100%, and titanium (Ti): 0.010-0.100%,
with the balance being iron (Fe) and other unavoidable impurities;
hot-rolling the reheated steel slab;
coiling the hot-rolled steel sheet in a temperature range of 400°C to 600°C;
cold-rolling the coiled steel sheet;
annealing the cold-rolled steel sheet in a temperature range of Ac3+10°C to Ac3+80°C;
and primarily cooling the annealed steel sheet to a temperature range of 680°C to
750°C at an average cooling rate of 20°C/s or less.
[0018] The method may further include: secondarily cooling the primarily cooled steel sheet
to a temperature range of 100°C to Mf at an average cooling rate of 70-200°C/s;
over-aging the secondarily cooled steel sheet in a temperature range of 150°C to 240°C;
and temper rolling or tension leveling the over-aged steel sheet at a reduction ratio
of 0.01-0.20%.
[0019] The steel slab may further include at least one of vanadium (V): 0.01-0.1% and antimony
(Sb): 0.1% or less.
[0020] The reheating may be performed in a temperature range of 1100°C to 1300°C,
the hot-rolling may be performed in a temperature range of Ar3 or higher,
and the cold-rolling may be performed at a reduction ratio of 30-80%.
[0021] The annealing may be performed for 30 seconds or more,
and the over-aging treatment may be performed for 200 seconds or more.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0022] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cold-rolled steel sheet and
a method for manufacturing the same can be provided.
[0023] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an ultra-high strength cold-rolled
steel sheet with excellent bendability and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, and
a method for manufacturing the same can be provided.
[0024] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an ultra-high strength cold-rolled
steel sheet, a plated steel sheet, and a method for manufacturing the same, which
have excellent resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, leading to excellent part performance,
and excellent crashworthiness during a collision, making them suitable for use in
automotive steel sheets, can be provided.
[0025] The various and beneficial advantages and effects of the present disclosure are not
limited to the aforementioned contents and will be more easily understood in the course
of describing specific embodiments of the present disclosure.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0026] FIG. 1 is a graph showing bendability values according to the sum of the fractions
of ferrite and bainite (F+B) in a region up to 30 µm from the surface toward the center
of the thickness.
Best Mode for the Invention
[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. The
implementations of the present disclosure may be modified in various other forms,
and the scope of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to
the embodiments described below. These embodiments are provided to explain the present
disclosure in more detail to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure
pertains.
[0028] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail.
[0029] Hereinafter, the steel composition of the present disclosure will be described in
detail.
[0030] Unless otherwise specified in the present disclosure, the % indicating the content
of each element is based on weight.
[0031] The cold-rolled steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
may comprise, by weight %, carbon (C): 0.20-0.30%, silicon (Si): 0.5% or less, manganese
(Mn): 1.5-3.5%, boron (B): 0.0005-0.0030%, phosphorus (P): 0.010% or less, sulfur
(S): 0.010% or less, nitrogen (N): 0.010% or less, aluminum (Al): 0.010-0.100%, chromium
(Cr): 0.20% or less, molybdenum (Mo): 0.10% or less, niobium (Nb): 0.010-0.100%, and
titanium (Ti): 0.010-0.100%.
Carbon (C): 0.20-0.30%
[0032] Carbon (C) is necessary to improve hardenability and obtain a steel structure with
a martensite area fraction of 95% or more at a 1/4 point in the thickness direction.
In addition, carbon (C) is necessary from the viewpoint of increasing the strength
of martensite and securing the target tensile strength. If the content of carbon (C)
is less than 0.20%, a predetermined strength cannot be obtained. Therefore, according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the carbon (C) content may be 0.20% or
more. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the carbon (C) content
may be 0.22% or more. On the other hand, if the content exceeds 0.30%, it may be difficult
to obtain good weldability or delayed fracture resistance. Therefore, according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure, the carbon (C) content may be 0.30% or less.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be 0.25% or less.
Silicon (Si): 0.5% or less
[0033] Silicon (Si) is a strengthening element through solid solution strengthening and
can be included from the viewpoint of improving bendability by suppressing the formation
of film-like carbides during the high-temperature tempering process. From the viewpoint
of obtaining this effect, it is advantageous for the silicon (Si) content to be high,
but if the content is excessive, weldability and liquid metal embrittlement (LME)
properties may be deteriorated, so the upper limit is limited to 0.5%. According to
an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be 0.32% or less. However, the lower
limit of the silicon (Si) content is not particularly limited, and 0% is excluded
because it is added as an impurity element in the manufacturing process. On the other
hand, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lower limit of the
silicon (Si) content may be 0.001%.
Manganese (Mn): 1.5-3.5%
[0034] Manganese (Mn) contributes to improving strength through an increase in hardenability,
thereby increasing the martensite area fraction, or through solid solution strengthening.
In addition, manganese (Mn) can be included to fix S in the steel as MnS and reduce
hot shortness. If the manganese (Mn) content is less than 1.5%, the possibility of
ferrite or bainite formation is higher than that of martensite formation during cooling,
so the lower limit is limited to 1.5%. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
it may be 1.7% or more. On the other hand, the manganese (Mn) content is limited to
3.5% or less from the viewpoint of welding stability. According to an embodiment of
the present disclosure, it may be 3.0% or less. According to an embodiment of the
present disclosure, it may be 2% or less.
Boron (B): 0.0005-0.0030%
[0035] Boron (B) is an element that suppresses the formation of ferrite, and accordingly,
in the present disclosure, it has the advantage of suppressing the formation of ferrite
during cooling after annealing. However, if the content of boron (B) exceeds 0.0030%,
ductility may be significantly reduced. According to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, it may be 0.0020% or less. On the other hand, if the content of boron
(B) is less than 0.0005%, the hardenability effect is completely absent, so not only
can the target strength not be secured, but ferrite may also be formed on the surface
layer, which tends to deteriorate bendability.
Phosphorus (P): 0.010% or less
[0036] Phosphorus (P) is an impurity element included in steel, and the lower the amount
added to the steel, the more advantageous it is, but considering the case where it
is inevitably included during the manufacturing process, the content is excluded from
0%. However, if the content exceeds 0.010%, weldability may be deteriorated and there
is a risk of embrittlement of the steel, so the upper limit is limited to 0.010%.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be 0.003% or less.
Sulfur (S): 0.010% or less
[0037] Sulfur (S), like P, is an impurity inevitably included in steel, and since it is
an element that impairs the ductility and weldability of the steel sheet, it is desirable
to manage its content as low as possible. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the
content of sulfur (S) is limited to 0.010% or less. According to an embodiment of
the present disclosure, it may be 0.005% or less. According to an embodiment of the
present disclosure, it can be controlled to 0.002% or less to minimize the precipitation
of MnS in the steel and contribute more to the improvement of bendability. On the
other hand, considering the case where it is inevitably included during the manufacturing
process, 0% is excluded.
Nitrogen (N): 0.010% or less
[0038] Nitrogen (N) is an impurity element, and if its content exceeds 0.010%, the risk
of crack formation during continuous casting due to the formation of AlN, etc. is
greatly increased, so its upper limit is limited to 0.010%. According to an embodiment
of the present disclosure, it may be 0.008% or less. According to an embodiment of
the present disclosure, it may be 0.006% or less. On the other hand, considering the
case where it is inevitably included during the manufacturing process, 0% is excluded.
Aluminum (Al): 0.010-0.100%
[0039] Aluminum (Al) can be added to deoxidize the molten steel, and like Si, it is an element
that is effective in stabilizing residual austenite by suppressing the precipitation
of cementite during the reheating and over-aging stages. If the content of aluminum
(Al) is less than 0.010%, deoxidation of the steel is not sufficiently achieved, and
the cleanliness of the steel may be impaired. On the other hand, if the content of
aluminum (Al) exceeds 0.100%, not only does the castability of the slab deteriorate,
but the temperature required for single-phase region heating during annealing becomes
high, which may cause production and facility problems. According to an embodiment
of the present disclosure, it may be 0.050% or less.
Chromium (Cr): 0.20% or less
[0040] Chromium (Cr) can be added to obtain the effect of improving the hardenability of
steel. However, since the cost of the alloy element is high compared to other hardenability
elements, it is advantageous to manage it as low as possible, so the lower limit is
not particularly limited, but 0% is excluded in consideration of the level of impurities
that are inevitably entrained. On the other hand, if the chromium (Cr) content exceeds
0.20%, it delays the dissolution rate of cementite during annealing, and deteriorates
bendability by leaving undissolved cementite. Therefore, according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure, the chromium (Cr) content can be controlled to 0.20% or
less. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be 0.10% or less.
Molybdenum (Mo): 0.10% or less
[0041] Molybdenum (Mo) has the effects of improving the hardenability of steel, forming
fine carbides including molybdenum (Mo) that become hydrogen trap sites, and improving
the delayed fracture resistance by refining martensite. However, if the content of
molybdenum (Mo) exceeds 0.10%, the effect is not significant compared to the increase
in cost due to the addition of a high-cost alloy element, so the upper limit is limited
to 0.10%. Since the cost is high compared to other hardenability elements, it is advantageous
to manage it as low as possible, so the lower limit is not particularly limited, but
0% is excluded in consideration of the level of impurities that are inevitably entrained.
Niobium (Nb): 0.010-0.100%
[0042] Niobium (Nb) is an element that segregates at austenite grain boundaries, suppresses
the growth of austenite crystal grains during annealing heat treatment, and contributes
to an increase in strength through a precipitation strengthening effect. However,
if the content of niobium (Nb) exceeds 0.100%, the precipitation of carbonitrides,
etc. increases, deteriorating the workability of the base material, and the cost increases
as the amount of alloy input becomes excessive. According to an embodiment of the
present disclosure, it may be 0.080% or less. On the other hand, if the content is
less than 0.010%, it may not contribute to the increase in strength at all. According
to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be 0.020% or more.
Titanium (Ti): 0.010-0.100%
[0043] Titanium (Ti) is a nitride-forming element that scavenges N in steel by precipitating
it as TiN. If titanium (Ti) is not added, there is a possibility of cracks occurring
during continuous casting due to the formation of AlN. In addition, if the Ti content
is less than 0.010%, it does not contribute to the increase in strength at all, similar
to the Nb element, so the lower limit of the Ti content is limited to 0.010% in the
present disclosure. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be
0.020% or more. However, if the content of titanium (Ti) exceeds 0.100%, the strength
of martensite may be reduced by additional carbide precipitation in addition to the
removal of solute N, and hole expansion and bending workability may be impaired by
the formation of carbonitrides such as TiC and TiN. According to an embodiment of
the present disclosure, it may be 0.080% or less.
[0044] The steel material of the present disclosure may include the balance of iron (Fe)
and unavoidable impurities in addition to the above-described composition. Since unavoidable
impurities may be unintentionally incorporated from a normal manufacturing process,
they cannot be excluded. These impurities are known to any person skilled in the ordinary
steel manufacturing field, and therefore, all of their contents are not specifically
mentioned in this specification.
[0045] The cold-rolled steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
may further comprise at least one of vanadium (V): 0.01-0.10% and antimony (Sb): 0.10%
or less.
Vanadium (V): 0.01-0.10%
[0046] Vanadium (V) is also a carbonitride-forming element, but it has a precipitation strengthening
effect that increases the strength of the steel, which is advantageous for increasing
strength. However, when added in excess, not only does the cost increase, but the
possibility of brittle fracture due to the formation of inclusions in the steel increases.
If the content of vanadium (V) exceeds 0.10%, the hardenability is weakened by the
removal of solute C, and the strength of martensite may be reduced. According to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be included at 0.08% or less. On the
other hand, if the vanadium (V) content is less than 0.01%, it does not contribute
to the increase in strength at all, similar to Nb, so in the present disclosure, the
lower limit of its content is limited to 0.01%. According to an embodiment of the
present disclosure, it may be included at 0.02% or more.
Antimony (Sb): 0.10% or less
[0047] Antimony (Sb) induces a uniform oxidation reaction in the surface layer region of
the steel sheet and can selectively improve bending properties by suppressing the
formation of C or B oxides in the surface layer. From the viewpoint of obtaining this
effect, if the antimony (Sb) content exceeds 0.10%, castability deteriorates, and
antimony (Sb) segregates at the prior-austenite grain boundaries, which can deteriorate
bendability. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
content is limited to 0.10% or less. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
it may be 0.06% or less. However, from the viewpoint of reducing the cost of alloy
elements, it is advantageous for the added content to be low, and the lower limit
is not particularly limited as long as the required properties of the steel sheet
are not impaired.
[0048] Hereinafter, the microstructure of the steel of the present disclosure will be described
in detail.
[0049] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the % indicating the fraction
of the microstructure is based on area.
[0050] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the microstructure in a region
up to 30 µm from the surface of the cold-rolled steel sheet toward the center of the
thickness mainly includes at least one of martensite and tempered martensite, and
may include, by area %, a sum of ferrite and bainite of 5.0% or less.
[0051] In the present disclosure, the microstructure in a region up to 30 µm from the surface
of the steel sheet toward the center of the thickness is limited in order to strictly
limit bendability.
[0052] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of martensite
and tempered martensite may be included as a primary phase to improve bendability
and suppress hydrogen embrittlement.
[0053] In addition, the higher the amount of mixed phases of ferrite or bainite in addition
to the primary phase of martensite or tempered martensite in the surface layer of
the steel sheet, the higher the residual stress between the phases, which may increase
the possibility of crack formation. In particular, since hydrogen adsorbed on the
interface between phases cannot easily escape to the outside, it is disadvantageous
for hydrogen embrittlement. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
the primary phase may be at least one of martensite and tempered martensite. According
to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the primary phase may be 90.0% or more.
[0054] On the other hand, if the sum of the fractions of ferrite and bainite exceeds 5.0%,
there is a concern that bendability may be rapidly deteriorated, and it is also disadvantageous
from the viewpoint of hydrogen embrittlement. Therefore, the sum of the fractions
is limited to 5% or less. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it
may be limited to 3% or less. In the present disclosure, it is advantageous for the
sum of the fractions of ferrite and bainite to be low, and the lower limit is not
particularly limited.
[0055] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cold-rolled steel sheet
may further include a plating layer on at least one surface, as needed.
[0056] The plating layer is not particularly limited, and not only its type, such as zinc-based
plating and aluminum-based plating, but also its method, such as hot-dip plating and
electroplating, are not limited. That is, anything that can be used in the technical
field to which the present disclosure pertains is sufficient. According to an embodiment
of the present disclosure, the plating layer may be a zinc-based plating layer.
[0057] The cold-rolled steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
has a tensile strength of 1500 MPa or more and a bendability (R/t) of 3.5 or less,
and a ratio a/b*100 of a residual stress (a) at a 1/2 point in a thickness direction
of the steel sheet to a residual stress (b) in a region up to 30 µm from a surface
toward a center of the thickness is 95.0% or more.
[0058] The bendability (R/t, where R is the bending die radius and t is the steel sheet
thickness) was performed using a jig with a tip inner angle of 90°. The limit bending
radius (R/t) was calculated by changing the radius of curvature of the tip inner angle
of the jig, finding the minimum jig tip inner angle at which no cracks were observed
on the surface of the test piece, and dividing the obtained radius (R) by the sheet
thickness (t).
[0059] If the residual stress ratio a/b*100 is less than 95.0%, the work hardening rate
of the steel sheet surface increases, deteriorating bendability, and the hardenability
of the surface layer increases, which may increase the risk of crack formation during
part forming. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be 97.0%
or more. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ratio may be 100.0%.
A ratio of 100.0% means that the work hardening of the surface layer is at almost
the same level as that of the central part.
[0060] Hereinafter, the method for manufacturing the steel of the present disclosure will
be described in detail.
[0061] The cold-rolled steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
can be manufactured by reheating, hot-rolling, coiling, cold-rolling, annealing, primary
cooling, secondary cooling, and over-aging a steel slab that satisfies the above-described
alloy composition.
Reheating
[0062] The steel slab satisfying the alloy composition according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure can be reheated in a temperature range of 1100-1300°C.
[0063] This process can be performed to smoothly carry out the subsequent hot-rolling process
and to sufficiently obtain the properties of the target steel sheet. If the reheating
temperature is less than 1100°C, a problem of a sharp increase in the hot-rolling
load may occur. On the other hand, if the reheating temperature exceeds 1300°C, there
is a concern that the amount of surface scale may increase and the yield of the material
may decrease.
Hot-rolling
[0064] The reheated steel slab can be hot-rolled in a temperature range of Ar3 or higher.
[0065] During hot-rolling, if the finish rolling temperature is lower than Ar3 (the temperature
at which ferrite starts to appear when austenite is cooled), a mixed structure may
be formed due to rolling in the two-phase region of ferrite and austenite or in the
ferrite region, and there is a concern of operational errors due to fluctuations in
the hot-rolling load. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper
limit of the hot-rolling temperature is not particularly limited, but it may be limited
to 1000°C or less.
Ar3 = 910 - 310[C] - 80[Mn] - 20[Cu] - 15[Cr] - 55[Ni] - 80[Mo]

(In the formula, [C], [Mn], [Cu], [Cr], [Ni], and [Mo] are the weight % of each element.)
Coiling
[0066] The hot-rolled steel sheet can be coiled in a temperature range of 400-600°C.
[0067] If the coiling temperature exceeds 600°C, an excessive oxide film may be formed on
the surface of the steel sheet, causing defects, which may deteriorate the surface
properties of the plated material. The structure of the steel sheet after hot-rolling
is limited to maintain a low coiling temperature to form a single-phase structure
rather than a composite structure as much as possible, thereby securing material uniformity
in the longitudinal and transverse directions. According to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, the coiling temperature may be 500°C or less. However, as the temperature
decreases, the strength of the hot-rolled steel sheet increases, which is a disadvantage
in that the rolling load increases during the subsequent cold-rolling process, and
there may be a factor that makes actual production impossible, so the lower limit
is limited to 400°C. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coiling
temperature may be 420°C or higher.
[0068] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, cooling can be performed by
water cooling after coiling. In addition, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, a pickling process for removing the oxide layer formed on the surface
of the steel sheet after coiling may be further performed as needed.
Cold-rolling
[0069] The coiled steel sheet can be cold-rolled at a reduction ratio of 30-80%.
[0070] During cold-rolling, if the reduction ratio is less than 30%, it is difficult to
secure the target thickness, and there is a concern that the residual hot-rolled crystal
grains may affect the formation of austenite and the final properties during annealing.
On the other hand, if the reduction ratio exceeds 80%, there is a problem that the
material deviation of the final steel sheet may occur due to the non-uniformity of
the reduction amount rolled in the longitudinal and transverse directions due to the
work hardening that occurs during cold-rolling, and it is difficult to secure the
target thickness due to the rolling load.
Annealing
[0071] The cold-rolled steel sheet can be annealed in a temperature range of Ac3+10°C to
Ac3+80°C.
[0072] In the present disclosure, the temperature of Ac3 varies depending on the composition,
so it can be determined by the following formula.
[0073] If the annealing temperature is less than Ac3+10°C, a mixed structure may be formed
by two-phase region annealing instead of single-phase region annealing over the entire
length of the coil, which may have a negative effect on the material. On the other
hand, if the annealing temperature exceeds Ac3+80°C, facility trouble may occur due
to an overload of the annealing furnace.
[0074] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, annealing may be performed
for 30 seconds or more in the above temperature range.
[0075] If the annealing time is less than 30 seconds, there is a problem that the fine carbides
formed during hot-rolling are not re-dissolved, and bendability deteriorates. In addition,
during annealing, if it does not sufficiently transform into a single-phase austenite
and a mixed phase exists, there is a possibility that martensite will not be sufficiently
formed during final cooling, and the tensile strength will not reach the standard.
On the other hand, in the present disclosure, the upper limit of the annealing time
is not particularly limited.
Ac3 = 910-203√([C])-15.2[Ni]+44.7[Si]+104[V]+31.5[Mo]+13.1[W]

(In the formula, [C], [Ni], [Si], [V], [Mo], and [W] are the weight % of each element.)
Primary Cooling
[0076] The annealed steel sheet can be primarily cooled to a temperature range of 680-750°C
at an average cooling rate of 20°C/s or less.
[0077] During primary cooling, if the cooling end temperature is less than 680°C, the bendability
(R/t) evaluation value may exceed the proposed range, resulting in poor formability.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be 700°C or more. On
the other hand, if the temperature exceeds 750°C, not only can it not be reproduced
due to facility configuration, but a phenomenon in which the structure is coarsened
and the strength deteriorates may occur. According to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, it may be 730°C or less. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
it may be 720°C or less. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it
may be 710°C or less.
[0078] During primary cooling, if the average cooling rate exceeds 20°C/s, a problem may
occur in the shape of the sheet. On the other hand, the lower limit of the cooling
rate is not particularly limited as long as it is within a range possible with the
facility configuration. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
lower limit of the average cooling rate during primary cooling may be 1°C/s.
Secondary Cooling
[0079] The primarily cooled steel sheet can be secondarily cooled to a temperature range
of 100°C to Mf at an average cooling rate of 70-200°C/s.
[0080] The Mf refers to the martensite transformation finish temperature, and since it can
be obtained by a method generally known in the art, it is not particularly defined
in the present disclosure and can be measured using a dilatometer.
[0081] During secondary cooling, if the cooling end temperature exceeds the Mf temperature,
the martensite transformation is not sufficiently performed, and it may be difficult
to secure the microstructure that the present disclosure intends to obtain. According
to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooling end temperature during secondary
cooling may be 160°C or less. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
the cooling end temperature during secondary cooling may be 150°C or less. On the
other hand, if the temperature is less than 100°C, it is not only disadvantageous
in terms of shape due to the too low temperature, but it may also exceed the manufacturing
process range of the facility. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
the cooling end temperature during secondary cooling may be 120°C or more.
[0082] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a quenching condition can be
applied during secondary cooling to secure a target level of strength. If the average
cooling rate during secondary cooling is less than 70°C/s, some bainite may be formed
during cooling, making it difficult to secure the target strength. According to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, the average cooling rate during secondary cooling
may be 80°C/s or more. On the other hand, if the average cooling rate during secondary
cooling exceeds 200°C/s, a problem of material deviation in the transverse direction
and poor shape of the steel sheet may occur due to the rapid martensite transformation
rate. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the average cooling rate
during secondary cooling may be 180°C/s or less.
Over-aging Treatment
[0083] The secondarily cooled steel sheet can be over-aged in a temperature range of 150-240°C.
[0084] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the yield strength can be increased
by transforming the martensite obtained through the quenching process by the aforementioned
secondary cooling into tempered martensite through this process.
[0085] If the over-aging treatment temperature is less than 150°C, tempering is not sufficiently
performed, and not only is the yield strength low, but sufficient toughness cannot
be secured. In addition, the lower the temperature, the more advantageous it is for
bendability, but considering the facility characteristics, the lower limit is limited
to 150°C. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the over-aging treatment
may be performed at 160°C or higher. On the other hand, if the temperature exceeds
240°C, the bendability may be deteriorated by the abundant precipitation and coarsening
of carbides. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be 200°C
or less. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be 180°C or
less.
[0086] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the over-aging treatment may
be performed for 200 seconds or more in the above temperature range.
[0087] If the heat treatment time is less than 200 seconds, there is a problem that the
yield strength is lowered because tempering is not sufficiently performed. According
to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be 300 seconds or more. According
to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be 400 seconds or more. On the
other hand, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper limit
of the over-aging treatment time is not particularly limited, but it is difficult
to exceed 1000 seconds due to the characteristics of the continuous annealing facility,
so the upper limit may be 1000 seconds. According to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, it may be 900 seconds or less. According to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, it may be 800 seconds or less.
Temper Rolling or Tension Leveling
[0088] The over-aged steel sheet can be temper rolled or tension leveled at a reduction
ratio of 0.01-0.20%.
[0089] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the temper rolling or tension
leveling process can be performed to improve the sheet shape.
[0090] On the other hand, if the reduction ratio exceeds 0.20%, work hardening on the surface
layer increases, and bendability may be very poor. That is, cracks occur due to acting
as a notch during part processing, and a phenomenon in which bendability (R/t, where
R is the bending die radius and t is the steel sheet thickness) deteriorates may occur.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be 0.15% or less. On
the other hand, if the reduction ratio is less than 0.01%, it is advantageous for
poor bendability, but it may not be helpful at all in terms of improving the sheet
shape. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be 0.03% or more.
[0091] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plating layer can be formed
on the cold-rolled steel sheet as needed.
[0092] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the manufactured cold-rolled
steel sheet can be plated by a hot-dip plating method of dipping it in a molten plating
solution and an electroplating method of electroplating in an electrolyte. A plating
layer can be formed. The plating conditions are not particularly limited as long as
they are generally known in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains.
Mode for the Invention
[0093] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail through examples.
However, it should be noted that the following examples are for illustrating the present
disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
(Example)
[0094] A steel slab was manufactured by casting molten steel having the alloy composition
shown in Table 1 into an ingot and then sizing rolling. The steel slab was reheated
to a temperature of 1200°C, held for 1 hour, and then finish hot-rolled at 900°C.
Hot-rolled coiling was simulated by charging it into a heating furnace set under various
conditions, holding it for 1 hour, and then furnace cooling. Subsequently, after pickling
the hot-rolled steel sheet, it was cold-rolled at a cold reduction ratio of 50%, and
then a cold-rolled steel sheet was manufactured by performing annealing, primary cooling,
secondary cooling, over-aging treatment, and tension leveling under the conditions
shown in Table 2.
[Table 1]
| Steel Type |
Alloy Composition (wt%) |
| C |
Si |
Mn |
Cr |
Mo |
B |
P |
S |
N |
S.Al |
Nb |
Ti |
Sb |
V |
| A |
0.24 |
0.1 |
1.7 |
0.10 |
0.08 |
0.0025 |
0.008 |
0.002 |
0.003 |
0.042 |
0.003 |
0.031 |
- |
- |
| B |
0.24 |
0.1 |
1.9 |
0.10 |
0.05 |
0.0018 |
0.006 |
0.003 |
0.004 |
0.031 |
0.025 |
0.032 |
- |
0.02 |
| C |
0.22 |
0.2 |
1.8 |
0.15 |
0.06 |
0.0023 |
0.007 |
0.005 |
0.002 |
0.025 |
0.031 |
0.028 |
- |
- |
| D |
0.25 |
0.2 |
2.5 |
0.12 |
0.06 |
0.0009 |
0.006 |
0.004 |
0.005 |
0.040 |
0.041 |
0.027 |
0.05 |
- |
| E |
0.28 |
0.3 |
2.6 |
0.11 |
0.05 |
0.0018 |
0.008 |
0.006 |
0.006 |
0.020 |
0.029 |
0.026 |
0.04 |
- |
| F |
0.26 |
0.3 |
2.8 |
0.16 |
0.08 |
0.0018 |
0.006 |
0.004 |
0.006 |
0.030 |
0.029 |
0.025 |
- |
- |
| G |
0.24 |
0.8 |
3.5 |
0.05 |
0.06 |
0.0003 |
0.005 |
0.005 |
0.004 |
0.040 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| H |
0.25 |
0.9 |
3.6 |
0.06 |
0.08 |
0.0004 |
0.009 |
0.003 |
0.005 |
0.030 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
[Table 2]
| Specimen No . |
Steel Type |
Coiling |
Ac3 (°C) |
Annealing |
1st Cooling |
2nd Cooling |
Over-aging Treatment |
Tension |
| |
|
Leveling |
| Temp. (°C) |
Temp. (°C) |
End Temp. (°C) |
Speed (°C/s) |
End Temp. (°C) |
Speed (°C/s) |
Temp. (°C) |
Time (sec) |
Reduction (%) |
| 1 |
A |
420 |
818 |
852 |
692 |
12 |
122 |
102 |
185 |
520 |
0.10 |
| 2 |
A |
423 |
818 |
862 |
695 |
8 |
120 |
103 |
192 |
515 |
0.11 |
| 3 |
B |
670 |
817 |
856 |
700 |
17 |
121 |
78 |
275 |
515 |
0.08 |
| 4 |
B |
450 |
817 |
790 |
650 |
16 |
123 |
56 |
210 |
520 |
0.07 |
| 5 |
C |
550 |
826 |
858 |
703 |
12 |
122 |
152 |
205 |
530 |
0.12 |
| 6 |
C |
580 |
826 |
856 |
698 |
11 |
131 |
145 |
204 |
515 |
0.11 |
| 7 |
D |
450 |
819 |
859 |
695 |
8 |
128 |
131 |
203 |
505 |
0.15 |
| 8 |
D |
490 |
819 |
862 |
670 |
7 |
350 |
55 |
195 |
520 |
0.35 |
| 9 |
E |
470 |
818 |
863 |
700 |
9 |
125 |
128 |
187 |
490 |
0.13 |
| 10 |
E |
465 |
818 |
810 |
702 |
22 |
126 |
85 |
192 |
485 |
0.09 |
| 11 |
F |
490 |
822 |
859 |
703 |
13 |
122 |
86 |
178 |
512 |
0.08 |
| 12 |
F |
480 |
822 |
849 |
701 |
11 |
121 |
88 |
182 |
516 |
0.07 |
| 13 |
G |
550 |
848 |
865 |
706 |
10 |
145 |
45 |
352 |
540 |
0.32 |
| 14 |
G |
560 |
848 |
864 |
700 |
8 |
146 |
50 |
326 |
535 |
0.33 |
| 15 |
H |
700 |
851 |
842 |
703 |
6 |
151 |
120 |
182 |
580 |
0.35 |
| 16 |
H |
715 |
851 |
835 |
701 |
7 |
142 |
115 |
198 |
560 |
0.36 |
| 17 |
H |
470 |
851 |
856 |
695 |
8 |
105 |
123 |
178 |
523 |
0.11 |
Ac3 = 910-203√([C])-15.2[Ni]+44.7[Si]+104[V]+31.5[Mo]+13.1[W]

(In the formula, [C], [Ni], [Si], [V], [Mo], and [W] are the weight % of each element.)
[0095] Table 3 shows the observation of the microstructure and mechanical properties of
the manufactured steel sheets.
[0096] First, the fractions of ferrite and bainite were measured and shown in the microstructure
in a region up to 30 µm from the surface of the steel sheet toward the center of the
thickness. A cross-section parallel to the rolling direction was mechanically polished
and nital etched, and the ferrite and bainite in a region up to 30 µm from the surface
of the steel sheet toward the center of the thickness were observed with a scanning
electron microscope (SEM) at 4 fields of view (i.e., measured at 4 points in the thickness
direction for a region up to 30 µm from the surface). That is, the area fraction of
each structure was obtained by image analysis of SEM images at a magnification of
2000x, and the average area fraction was obtained by calculating the arithmetic mean
of the area fractions obtained from each of the 4 fields of view. In addition to ferrite
and bainite, martensite or tempered martensite was observed.
[0097] In addition, the yield strength (YS), tensile strength (TS), and elongation (El)
were measured and shown by a tensile test. The tensile test was performed by cutting
a JIS No. 5 tensile test piece at a 1/4 point in the width direction of the steel
sheet so that the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction on the surface
of the steel sheet became the longitudinal direction, and performing a tensile test
(JIS Z2241).
[0098] The bendability (R/t) value was measured through a bending test. The bending test
was performed by cutting a strip-shaped test piece of 100 mm in the direction perpendicular
to the rolling direction and 35 mm in the rolling direction at a 1/4 point in the
width direction of the steel sheet, on the surface of the steel sheet, and using a
jig with a tip inner angle of 90°. The limit bending radius (R/t) was calculated by
changing the radius of curvature of the tip inner angle of the jig, finding the minimum
jig tip inner angle at which no cracks were observed on the surface of the test piece,
and dividing the obtained radius (R) by the sheet thickness (t). The smaller this
value, the better the bendability. The determination of cracks was performed by observing
with a stereomicroscope at a maximum magnification of 20x and measuring the length
of the cracks. A minute crack of less than 0.1 mm was difficult to distinguish from
surface irregularities with a stereomicroscope, so a crack of 0.1 mm or more was judged
as a fracture.
[0099] Residual stress was measured and analyzed by utilizing the principle of measuring
and calculating the lattice spacing by X-ray diffraction on the surface of a polycrystalline
material by irradiating characteristic X-rays and X-ray diffraction according to Bragg's
law. The residual stress at the 1/2 point in the thickness direction of the steel
sheet was measured by grinding and removing up to the 1/2 point in the thickness direction,
and then heat-treating at 200°C for 1 hour to completely remove the residual stress,
and then measuring it as a representative value.
[0100] The presence or absence of hydrogen embrittlement was evaluated by preparing a test
piece of 10 mm in the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction and 35 mm in
the rolling direction, performing V-bending, fixing both sides using a jig, and then
immersing it in 0.1N hydrochloric acid (HCl) for 300 hours to determine the presence
or absence of cracks.
[Table 3]
| Specimen No. |
Steel Type |
Microstructure |
Mechanical Properties |
Classification |
| F+B Fraction (area%) |
YS (MPa) |
TS (MPa) |
El (%) |
Bendability (R/t) |
Residual Stress Ratio a/b*100 (%) |
Hydrogen Embrittlement Occurrence |
| 1 |
A |
3.5 |
1218 |
1532 |
8.2 |
3.1 |
96.5 |
X |
Invention Ex. 1 |
| 2 |
A |
3.5 |
1215 |
1526 |
8.1 |
3.1 |
95.6 |
X |
Invention Ex. 2 |
| 3 |
B |
8.5 |
1225 |
1526 |
7.8 |
4.5 |
85.0 |
X |
Comparative Ex. 1 |
| 4 |
B |
9.2 |
1220 |
1535 |
7.6 |
3.7 |
82.0 |
○ |
Comparative Ex. 2 |
| 5 |
C |
2.8 |
1225 |
1541 |
7.3 |
3.2 |
96.1 |
X |
Invention Ex. 3 |
| 6 |
C |
3.6 |
1226 |
1539 |
7.2 |
3.2 |
96.2 |
X |
Invention Ex. 4 |
| 7 |
D |
3.7 |
1285 |
1595 |
7.6 |
3.1 |
95.8 |
X |
Invention Ex. 5 |
| 8 |
D |
9.5 |
1286 |
1596 |
7.5 |
4.5 |
88.0 |
X |
Comparative Ex. 3 |
| 9 |
E |
3.5 |
1275 |
1585 |
6.8 |
3.3 |
96.3 |
X |
Invention Ex. 6 |
| 10 |
E |
4.8 |
1281 |
1586 |
6.5 |
3.9 |
92.0 |
○ |
Comparative Ex. 4 |
| 11 |
F |
3.4 |
1276 |
1593 |
6.8 |
3.2 |
95.8 |
X |
Invention Ex. 7 |
| 12 |
F |
2.9 |
1301 |
1601 |
6.7 |
2.8 |
97.2 |
X |
Invention Ex. 8 |
| 13 |
G |
4.5 |
1312 |
1602 |
5.9 |
4.6 |
87.0 |
X |
Comparative Ex. 5 |
| 14 |
G |
3.8 |
1302 |
1612 |
5.8 |
4.5 |
88.0 |
○ |
Comparative Ex. 6 |
| 15 |
H |
7.2 |
1286 |
1596 |
5.9 |
4.9 |
78.0 |
X |
Comparat ive Ex. 7 |
| 16 |
H |
7.6 |
1283 |
1589 |
5.9 |
4.9 |
77.0 |
○ |
Comparat ive Ex. 8 |
| 17 |
H |
2.8 |
1295 |
1601 |
6.2 |
4.8 |
87.0 |
○ |
Comparat ive Ex. 9 |
[0101] * F: Ferrite, B: Bainite, Residual stress ratio a/b*100: Ratio of residual stress
(a) at 1/2 point in the thickness direction of the steel sheet to residual stress
(b) in a region from the surface toward the center of the thickness up to 30µm. As
shown in Table 3, in the case of the invention examples that satisfied the alloy composition
and manufacturing conditions of the present disclosure, the microstructure characteristics
proposed in the present disclosure were satisfied, and the target properties in the
present disclosure could also be secured.
[0102] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the bendability value according to the sum of the fractions
of ferrite and bainite (F+B) in a region up to 30 µm from the surface toward the center
of the thickness. As shown in FIG. 1, it was confirmed that when the fraction of ferrite
and bainite exceeds 5%, the bendability deteriorates.
[0103] On the other hand, Comparative Examples 1 to 9 are examples that did not satisfy
the alloy composition or manufacturing conditions proposed in the present disclosure.
As a result, the microstructure proposed in the region from the surface of the steel
sheet to 30 µm toward the center of the thickness was not secured, and all of the
target properties such as bendability, residual stress, and resistance to hydrogen
embrittlement were not secured.
[0104] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail through the above examples,
other forms of embodiments are also possible. Therefore, the technical spirit and
scope of the claims described below are not limited to the examples.