Formability study of the third generation automotive medium-Mn steel

Third-generation advanced automotive medium-Mn steel, which can replace 22MnB5 steel, was newly developed to improve the lightweight and crashworthiness of automotive. Studies on the formability and simulation method of medium-Mn steel have just been initiated. This study elucidated the effects of initial forming temperature (IFT) on formability, thickness distribution, macro mechanical property and micro performance of medium-Mn steel hot-formed products. Results show that the IFT intensely affects the formability and the thickness distribution of the deep drawing zone on the medium-Mn steel hot-formed part, and the recommended IFT range is between 400 °C and 500 °C.