Method for Producing a High-Strength or Ultra-High-Strength Molded Part from Hardenable Steel

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This patent describes an improved process for manufacturing high-strength or ultra-high-strength shaped parts from hardenable steel. The process involves a specific heat treatment and 'warm' forming stage: steel is heated above its austenitization temperature, rapidly cooled to just above or below the martensite start (Ms) temperature to avoid unwanted phases, then shaped at this intermediate temperature, and finally cooled to room temperature to obtain a predominantly fine-grained martensitic structure. This method offers a cost-effective way to produce steel parts with superior mechanical properties using lower forming temperatures and energy compared to traditional hot forming processes.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Automotive industry: manufacturing crash elements, side impact beams, A- or B-pillars, rocker panels, and structural parts requiring high strength and toughness.
• Lightweight construction: producing robust yet lighter steel parts for applications where weight reduction and high mechanical performance are critical.
• Armored vehicle and protective plating: making armor panels for vehicles or reinforced structures needing high hardness and durability.
• Construction and machinery components: such as high-strength fasteners, connecting elements, tubes, profiles, or load-bearing parts.
• Wear-resistant industrial tools: producing parts that must withstand heavy abrasion, like excavator teeth, cutting tools, or ground plates for large machinery.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables production of steel parts with very high strength, hardness, and improved toughness.
• Reduces energy consumption compared to conventional hot forming methods due to lower forming temperatures.
• Avoids undesirable microstructures (ferrite, pearlite, coarse martensite) for superior mechanical properties.
• Provides better dimensional accuracy and surface quality than hot forming.
• Allows for shorter tempering times after forming, increasing manufacturing efficiency.
• Broadens the range of applicable steel alloys due to process flexibility.
• Ideal for applications requiring lightweight, ultra-strong components, improving safety and performance (e.g., in automotive or defense).

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a shaped steel part made of hardenable steel and also to a process for producing a high-strength or ultra-high-strength shaped part made of hardenable steel in which a steel part made of hardenable steel is austenitized at a temperature of 10 to 60 K above the Ac3 temperature and heated through and homogenized at this temperature, wherein the steel part is cooled rapidly to a temperature in the range of between 50 K below and 100 K above the Ms temperature in such a way that ferrite and pearlite phases are avoided, and is shaped in this temperature range to form a shaped part, and the shaped part is then cooled to room temperature in such a way that a predominantly martensitic microstructure is formed.