DESCRIPTION
TITLE OF INVENTION
HEAT-ROLLED STEEL PLATE FOR TAILORED ROLLED BLANK,
TAILORED ROLLED BLANK, AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING THESE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The present invention relates to a heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled
blank, a tailored rolled blank, and methods for producing these.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
In recent years, the weights of various components that constitute automobiles
are being reduced with the objective of improving the fuel consumption of the
automobiles. The method ofreducing the weight differs depending on the
performance requirements for the respective components. For example, for a
framework component, wall thinning is carried out by enhancing the strength of a
steel plate. For a panel component, measures such as substitution of a steel plate
with a light metal plate such as an AI alloy are taken.
[0003]
However, a light metal plate such as an AI alloy is expensive in comparison to
a steel plate. Therefore, utilization of light metal plates is mainly limited to luxury
automobiles. The demand for automobiles is shifting from developed countries to
emerging countries, and it is expected that from now there will be demands to
achieve both weight reductions and price reductions. Accordingly, for every
component, irrespective of the region, there is a demand to achieve increased
strength using a steel plate and a weight reduction by wall thinning.
[0004]
When wall thinning is exhaustively carried out, it is necessary to meticulously
set the plate thickness and material quality of component parts of each region.
However, in this case the number of components increases and the production cost
;%-
rises. From the viewpoint of enhancing the accuracy of the body shape and
improving productivity and the like, it is preferable that the number of components is
as small as possible.
[0005]
Application of tailored blanks is proceeding as a method that, as much as
possible, can meticulously set the plate thickness and material quality of each region
and also reduce the number of components.
[0006]
The term "tailored blank" refers to a press starting material in which a
plurality of steel plates are joined together according to the purpose. Utilizing a
tailored blank makes it possible to partially alter the characteristics of a single
starting material and to also reduce the nu!Tiber of components. A tailored blank is
normally produced by welding together a plurality of steel plates. Examples of the
welding method include laser welding, mash seam welding, plasma welding and
high-frequency induction welding.
[0007]
Tailored blanks produced by welding in this manner are called "tailored weld
blanks". Technology relating to tailored weld blanks is proposed in, for example,
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-290 I82 (Patent Literature I) and
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-I74246 (Patent Literature 2).
[0008]
According to the technology disclosed in Patent Literatures I and 2, steel
strips of different thicknesses are butted in the width direction and welded by laser
welding or the like. However, in a case where tailored weld blanks are produce by
applying these technologies, if there is a weld defect at one part of a weld zone, in
some cases cracks arise in the weld zone in a pressing process that is after the
welding process. In addition, even when a weld zone does not have a weld defect, a
hardness difference arises between a weld zone and a base metal portion, and weld
undercut portions arise. In such a case, in a subsequent press-forming process, in
some cases the stress concentrates at the weld zone during press working, and cracks
arise in a portion of the weld zone.
[0009]
3
As described above, when welding together steel plates of different strengths
that have different plate thicknesses by using a welding process that is currently in
practical use such as laser welding, mash seam welding, arc welding or highfrequency
welding, it is difficult to make the quality of the weld zone uniform, and a
weld defect is liable to occur.
[001 0]
Therefore, tailored rolled blanks have been proposed as another kind of
tailored blank that does not utilize welding. A tailored rolled blank is a steel plate
of varying thickness on which partial wall thinning has been carried out by rolling.
Technology relating to tailored rolled blanks is disclosed in Japanese Patent
Application Publication No. 11-192502 (Patent Literature 3), Japanese Patent
Application Publication No. 2006-272440 (Patent Literature 4), International
Application Publication No. WO 2008/068352 (Patent Literature 5) and International
Application Publication No. WO 2008/104610 (Patent Literature 6).
[00 11]
According to the technology discussed in Patent Literature 3, a steel strip is
rolled with work rolls of a special shape to produce a steel strip in which the plate
thickness varies in the width direction. However, when utilizing this technology, it
is necessary to prepare a plurality of single-purpose work rolls that correspond to the
shape of the steel strip for a tailored blank.
[0012]
According to technology discussed in Patent Literature 4, a steel plate of
varying thickness is produced without using work rolls of a special shape.
Specifically, at least at one location at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal
direction of the plate thickness, rolling is performed by changing the setting of a
rolling reduction position so that the plate thickness changes in a tapered shape
within a predetermined length range, to thereby produce a tailored rolled blank.
However, in Patent Literature 4, there is no discussion regarding the chemical
composition and microstructure and the like of a steel strip to be used for a tailored
rolled blank.
[0013]
In Patent Literatures 5 and 6, a chemical composition of a steel plate for a
tailored rolled blank and a method for producing a steel plate for a tailored rolled
blank are disclosed. According to the technology disclosed in Patent Literatures 5
and 6, using a steel strip having a specific chemical composition, rolling is performed
while controlling a roll gap so that the plate thickness changes in the rolling direction.
After rolling, a heat treatment is performed, and the yield strength of a thick-wall
portion of the tailored rolled blank is made equal to or greater than the yield strength
of a thin-wall portion.
[0014]
According to the technology disclosed in International Application
Publication No. WO 2010/137317 (Patent Literature 7), a steel plate having a
specific chemical composition is subjected to hot rolling under specific conditions to
produce a heat-rolled steel plate. Cold rolling is executed at a draft of 0.1 to 5.0%
on a heat-rolled steel plate to produce a cold-rolled steel plate. A heat treatment is
executed under specific conditions on the cold-rolled steel plate to produce a highstrength
steel plate that is excellent in elongation properties.
CITATION LIST
PATENT LITERATURE
[0015]
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-290182
Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-174246
Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-192502
Patent Literature 4: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-272440
Patent Literature 5: International Application Publication No. WO
2008/068352
Patent Literature 6: International Application Publication No. WO
2008/104610
Patent Literature 7: International Application Publication No. WO
2010/137317
Patent Literature 8: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-317203
5
NON PATENT LITERATURE
[0016]
Non Patent Literature 1: G. K. Williams and W. H. Hall: Act. Metal!., I
(1953), 22
Non Patent Literature 2: G. K. Williams and R. E. Smallman: Philos. Mag., 8
(1956), 34
Non Patent Literature 3: T. Tsuchiyama: Heat Treatment 42 (2002), 163
[0017]
However, according to the technology disclosed in Patent Literatures 5 and 6,
if the strength of the steel strip is high, the rolling reaction force during cold rolling
increases. In such a case, an excessive facility load and an increase in the number
of rolling operations and the like are required in order to form a thin-wall portion by
rolling. Consequently, the productivity decreases. The plate thickness accuracy
and shape accuracy also decrease. In addition, when the yield strength of a thickwall
portion is equal to or greater than the yield strength of a thin-wall portion,
although it is considered preferable in terms of usability after pressing, if a difference
between the yield strength of a thick-wall portion and a thin-wall portion is too large,
a deformation will concentrate at the thin-wall portion during cold forming (cold
pressing or the like) and a rupture is liable to occur. Further, even if cold rolling of
around 5% is performed as in the case of the technology described in Patent
Literature 7, a plate thickness difference between a thick-wall portion and a thin-wall
portion that is required as a tailored rolled blank cannot be obtained.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0018]
An objective of the present invention is to provide a heat-rolled steel plate for
a tailored rolled blank that is capable of producing a tailored rolled blank that has a
tensile strength of 590 MPa or more and is excellent in cold formability, a tailored
rolled blank produced using the heat-rolled steel plate, and methods for producing
these.
[0019]
6
A heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled blank according to the present
embodiment has a chemical composition consisting of, in mass%, C: 0.03 to 0.1 %,
Si: 1.5% or less, Mn: 1.0 to 2.5%, P: 0.1% or less, S: 0.02% or less, AI: 0.01 to 1.2%,
N: 0.01% or less, Ti: 0.015 to 0.15%, Nb: 0 to 0.1%, Cu: 0 to 1%, Ni: 0 to 1%, Mo: 0
to 0.2%, V: 0 to 0.2%, Cr: 0 to 1%, W: 0 to 0.5%, Mg: 0 to 0.005%, Ca: 0 to 0.005%,
rare earth metal: 0 to 0.1 %, B: 0 to 0.005%, and one or more types of element
selected from a group consisting of Zr, Sn, Co and Zn in a total amount of 0 to 0.05%,
with the balance being Fe and impurities, and satisfying Formula (1), and has a
microstructure containing, in terms of area ratio, 20% or more of bainite, with 50%
or more in terms of area ratio of the balance being ferrite. At a depth position that
is equivalent to one-half of a plate thickness from a surface of the heat-rolled steel
plate, an average value of pole densities of an orientation group {100}<011> to
{223 }<11 0> consisting of crystal orientations { 1 00}<011>, { 116}<11 0>,
{114}<110>, {113}<110>, {112}<110>, {335}<110> and {223}<110> is four or
less and a pole density of a {332}<113> crystal orientation is 4.8 or less. At a
depth position that is equivalent to one-eighth of the plate thickness from the surface
of the heat-rolled steel plate, a pole density of a { 110 }<00 1 > crystal orientation is 2.5
or more. In addition, a number density of fine Ti carbo-nitrides having a particle
diameter of I 0 nm or less in the heat-rolled steel plate is l.Ox1 017 per cm3
, and a
bake hardening amount is 15 MPa or more.
[Ti]-48/14x[N]-48/32x[S] 2 0 (1)
Where, a content (mass%) of a corresponding element is substituted for each
symbol of an element in Formula (1).
[0020]
In a tailored rolled blank according to the present embodiment, a plate
thickness changes in a tapered shape in a rolling direction. The tailored rolled blank
includes a thick-wall portion, and a thin-wall portion that is thinner than the thickwall
portion. In the tailored rolled blank, a ratio of an average hardness Htmax of a
thickest wall portion at which the plate thickness is thickest to an average hardness
Htmin of a thinnest wall portion at which the plate thickness is thinnest is in a range of
more than 1.0 to 1.5. In addition, an average dislocation density of the thinnest wall
portion is I xI 0 14m-2 or less, and a number density of fine Ti carbo-nitrides having a
particle diameter of I 0 nm or less is more than 2x I 017 per cm3
•
[002I]
A method for producing a heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled blank
according to the present embodiment includes: a step of heating at not less than a
temperature SRT min defined by Formula (2) a slab containing, in mass%, C: 0.03 to
0.1 %, Si: 1.5% or less, Mn: 1.0 to 2.5%, P: O.I% or less,. S: 0.02% or less, AI: 0.01 to
1.2%, N: O.OI% or less, Ti: 0.015 to O.I5%, Nb: 0 to 0.1 %, Cu: 0 to 1%, Ni: 0 to 1%,
Mo: 0 to 0.2%, V: 0 to 0.2%, Cr: 0 to I%, W: 0 to 0.5%, Mg: 0 to 0.005%, Ca: 0 to
0.005%, rare earth metal: 0 to O.I %, B: 0 to 0.005%, and one or more types of
element selected from a group consisting of Zr, Sn, Co and Zn in a total amount of 0
to 0.05%, with the balance being Fe and impurities, and satisfying Formula (I); a
step of producing a rough bar by performing rough rolling with an overall draft of 60
to 90% with respect to the slab that is heated, and during the rough rolling,
performing one rolling pass or more at a draft of 20% or more when a slab
temperature is I 050 to II50°C; a step of producing a steel plate by starting finish
rolling with respect to the rough bar within I 50 seconds after rough rolling ends, and
performing finish rolling in which a temperature of the rough bar when starting the
finish rolling is in a range of I 000°C to less than I 080°C, an overall draft is set in a
range of75 to 95%, a total draft in a final two passes is set to 30% or more, a finish
rolling ending temperature is set in a range from an An transformation temperature
to I 000°C, and a shape ratio SR that is defined by Formula (3) is set to 3.5 or more; a
step of starting cooling of the steel plate within three seconds after finish rolling ends,
setting a cooling stopping temperature to 600°C or less, and setting an average
cooling rate until the cooling stopping temperature as I5°C per second or more to
thereby cool the steel plate, and making a total cumulative diffusion length Ltotai, that
is defined by Formula (4), in a time period until coiling starts after the temperature of
the steel plate passes an An transformation temperature O.I5 j.!m or less; and a step
of coiling the steel plate after cooling at a coiling temperature of 600°C or less.
[Ti]-48/14x[N]-48/32x [S];:::: 0% (I)
SRT min= I 0780/ { 5.I3-Iog([Ti]x[C]) }-273 (2)
SR = ld/hm (3)
Ltotal = Lvf(D(T)L\tL) (4)
Where, a content (mass%) of a corresponding element is substituted for each
symbol of an element in Formula (1) and Formula (2). In Formula (3), "ld"
represents a length of an arc of contact between a rolling roll that performs a final
rolling reduction in the finish rolling and the steel plate, and is defined by the
following formula.
ld = v'(Lx(hin-hout)/2)
Where, L (mm) represents a diameter of the rolling roll, hin represents a plate
thickness (mm) of the steel plate at an entrance side of the rolling roll, and hout
represents a plate thickness (mm) of the steel plate at an exit side of the rolling roll,
and where hm is defined by the following formula.
hm = (hin+hout)/2
In Formula (4), L\tL represents a time period until coiling starts after the
temperature of the steel plate passes the An transformation temperature, and is a
very small time period of 0.2 seconds. D(T) represents a volume diffusion
coefficient ofTi at T°C, and is defined by the following formula when a diffusion
coefficient of Ti is represented by DO, an activation energy is represented by Q, and a
gas constant is represented by R.
D(T) = DOxExp{-Q/R(T+273)}
[0022]
A method for producing a tailored rolled blank according to the present
embodiment uses the aforementioned heat-rolled steel plate. The present method
for producing a tailored rolled blank includes a step of producing a cold-rolled steel
plate by performing cold rolling on the heat-rolled steel plate while changing a draft
within a range of more than 5% to 50% so that a plate thickness changes in a tapered
shape in a longitudinal direction of the heat-rolled steel plate, and a step of
performing a precipitation hardening heat treatment on the cold-rolled steel plate.
In the precipitation hardening heat treatment, a highest heating temperature T max is
600 to 750°C, a holding time period tK (sec) at 600°C or more satisfies Formula (5)
with respect to the highest heating temperature T max, and a heat treatment index IN
defined by Formula (6)is 16500 to 19500.
530-0.7xT max::; tK::; 3600-3.9xT max (5)
IN= (Tn+273)(Iog(tn/3600)+20) (6)
Where, tn (sec) in Formula (6) is defined by Formula (7).
tn/3600 = J OX+.!\tiN/3600 (7)
Where, X= ((Tn-I+273)/(Tn+273))(1og(tn-I/3600)+20)-20. Further, tl =.!\tiN,
and .!\tiN is one second.
T n(°C) in Formula (6) is defined by Formula (8).
Tn=Tn-I+
as rectangular coordinates in an ODF (orientation distribution
function).
[FIG. 1 B] FIG. I B is a view illustrating main crystal orientation positions on a to {223 }<11 0> consisting of respective crystal orientations
{100}<011>, {116}<110>, {114}<110>, {113}<110>, {112}<110>, {335}<110>
and {223}<110> is made four or less and a pole density 02 of a {332}<113> crystal
orientation is made 4.8 or less.
[0040]
In short, in the interior of the heat-rolled steel plate, the crystal orientation is
made as random as possible. In a case where the average value of pole densities 01
ofthe orientation group {100}<011> to {223}<110> is four or less and the pole
density 02 ofthe {332}<113> crystal orientation is 4.8 or less, the in-plane
anisotropy of the tensile strength and breaking elongation decreases. Specifically, a
value of IMI that is an index of the in-plane anisotropy of the tensile strength and
breaking elongation is 0.6 or less. Specifically, in a case where an average of the
tensile strength in the rolling direction, the plate-width direction, and a direction that
is inclined by 45° relative to the rolling direction is 720 MPa, the standard deviation
for the three directions is 12 MPa or less. Further, in a case where the average of
the breaking elongation in the three directions is 17%, the standard deviation for the
three directions is 0.8% or less. Because the in-plane anisotropy decreases, the
plate thickness accuracy and plate width accuracy increase and cold formability is
enhanced.
[0041]
\5
ft-
On the other hand, in an outer layer in a range from the surface of the heatrolled
steel plate to a depth equivalent to three-eighths of the plate thickness, a pole
density D3 of a { 11 0}<001> crystal orientation is set to 2.5 or more.
[0042]
In short, while the crystal orientation in the interior is made as random as
possible, on the outer layer, a proportion occupied by a { 11 0}<001> crystal
orientation that is a specific crystal orientation is increased as much as possible. In
the chemical composition of the present embodiment, grains of the { 110} <00 1 >
crystal orientation are not susceptible to work hardening. When producing a
tailored rolled blank, the draft is partially changed during cold rolling to produce a
thick-wall portion and a thin-wall portion in the steel plate. Accordingly, the draft
during the cold rolling differs between a thick-wall portion and a thin-wall portion.
If the drafts are different, the amount of strain that is introduced will also be different.
Therefore, a difference in work hardening arises between a thick-wall portion and a
thin-wall portion, and thus a difference arises in the hardness. A difference in the
hardness is liable to arise, in particular, between outer layer portions of a thick-wall
portion and a thin-wall portion.
[0043]
As described above, the grains of the { 11 0} <00 1 > crystal orientation are not
susceptible to work hardening. Further, as described later, in the present
embodiment the cold-rolling rate is in a range from more than 5% to 50%. In this
case, even after cold rolling, the { 110 }<00 1 > crystal orientation remains in the outer
layer. Consequently, if the pole density D3 of the { 110}<001> crystal orientation is
2.5 or more, a hardness difference between a thick-wall portion and a thin-wall
portion of the tailored rolled blank can be reduced, and variations in the hardness can
be suppressed. As a result, the plate thickness accuracy and plate width accuracy
are increased, and the cold formability is improved.
[0044]
If a tailored rolled blank is produced by subjecting the aforementioned heatrolled
steel plate to cold rolling in which the draft is in a range of more than 5% to
50%, and performing precipitation hardening heat treatment under conditions that are
described later, the aforementioned hardness ratio HR (= Htmax!Htmin =more than 1.0
-Yto
1.5) is obtained in the tailored rolled blank that is produced. In addition, the
average dislocation density of a thinnest wall portion is 1 x 1 0 14m-2 or less and a
number density n1 ofTi carbo-nitrides for which a circle-equivalent diameter is 0.5
to 10 nm is more than 2x1017 per cm3•
[0045]
A heat-rolled steel plate of the present embodiment that was completed based
on the above described findings is a heat-rolled steel plate that is used for a tailored
rolled blank. The heat-rolled steel plate has a chemical composition consisting of,
in mass%, C: 0.03 to O.I%, Si: 1.5% or less, Mn: 1.0 to 2.5%, P: O.I% or less, S:
0.02% or less, AI: 0.01 to 1.2%, N: 0.01% or less, Ti: 0.015 to 0.15%, Nb: 0 to 0.1%,
Cu: 0 to 1%, Ni: 0 to 1%, Mo: 0 to 0.2%, V: 0 to 0.2%, Cr: 0 to 1%, W: 0 to 0.5%,
Mg: 0 to 0.005%, Ca: 0 to 0.005%, rare earth metal: 0 to 0.1 %, B: 0 to 0.005%, and
one or more types of element selected from a group consisting of Zr, Sn, Co and Zn
in a total amount of 0 to 0.05%, with the balance being Fe and impurities, and
satisfying Formula (1 ), and has a microstructure containing, in terms of area ratio,
20% or more ofbainite, with 50% or more in terms of area ratio ofthe balance being
ferrite. At a depth position that is equivalent to one-half of a plate thickness from a
surface of the heat-rolled steel plate, an average value of pole densities of an
orientation group {100}<011> to {223}<110> consisting of crystal orientations
{100}<01 I>, {116}<110>, {114}<110>, {113}<110>, {112}<110>, {335}<110>
and {223}<110> is four or less and a pole density of a {332}<113> crystal
orientation is 4.8 or less. At a depth position that is equivalent to one-eighth of the
plate thickness from the surface of the heat-rolled steel plate, a pole density of a
{I I 0}<001> crystal orientation is 2.5 or more. In addition, a number density of
fine Ti carbo-nitrides having a particle diameter of 10 nm or less among Ti carbonitrides
in the heat-rolled steel plate is l.Ox I 017 per cm3
, and a bake hardening
amount is 15 MPa or more.
[Ti]-48/14x[N]-48/32x[S] ~ 0 (1)
Where, a content (mass%) of a corresponding element is substituted for each
symbol of an element in Formula (1).
[0046]
The above described chemical composition of the heat-rolled steel plate may
contain one or more types of element selected from a group consisting ofNb: 0.005
to 0.1 %, Cu: 0.005 to 1%, Ni: 0.005 to 1%, Mo: 0.005 to 0.2%, V: 0.005 to 0.2%, Cr:
0.005 to 1% and W: 0.01 to 0.5%. The above described chemical composition may
also contain one or more types of element selected from a group consisting of Mg:
0.0005 to 0.005%, Ca: 0.0005 to 0.005%, and rare earth metal: 0.0005 to 0.1 %.
The above described chemical composition may also contain B: 0.0002 to 0.005%.
The chemical composition may contain one or more types of element selected from
the group consisting ofZr, Sn, Co and Zn in a total amount of0.005 to 0.05%.
[0047]
In a tailored rolled blank according to the present embodiment, a plate
thickness changes in a tapered shape in a rolling direction. The present tailored
rolled blank includes a thick-wall portion, and a thin-wall portion that is thinner than
the thick-wall portion. In the tailored rolled blank, a ratio of an average hardness
Htmax of a thickest wall portion at which the plate thickness is thickest to an average
hardness Htmin of a thinnest wall portion at which the plate thickness is thinnest is in
a range of more than 1.0 to 1.5. An average dislocation density ofthe thinnest wall
portion is 1 x 10 14m-2 or less. A number density of fine Ti carbo-nitrides having a
particle diameter of 1 0 nm or less is more than 2x 1 017 per cm3.
[0048]
Preferably, the aforementioned tailored rolled blank is produced using the
aforementioned heat-rolled steel plate. The aforementioned tailored rolled blank
may include a galvanized layer on the surface thereof.
[0049]
A method for producing a heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled blank
according to the present embodiment includes: a step of heating a slab having the
above described chemical composition and satisfying Formula (1 ), at not less than a
temperature SRTmin defined by Formula (2); a step of producing a rough bar by
performing rough rolling with an overall draft of 60 to 90% with respect to the slab
that is heated, and during the rough rolling, performing one rolling pass or more at a
draft of 20% or more when the slab temperature is 1050 to 1150°C; a step of
producing a steel plate by starting finish rolling with respect to the rough bar within
150 seconds after rough rolling ends, and performing finish rolling in which a
temperature of the rough bar when starting the finish rolling is in a range of 1000°C
to less than 1 080°C, an overall draft is set in a range of 75 to 95%, a total draft in a
final two passes is set to 30% or more, a finish rolling ending temperature is set in a
range from an An transformation temperature to 1 000°C, and a shape ratio SR that is
defined by Formula (3) is set to 3.5 or more; a step of starting cooling ofthe steel
plate within three seconds after finish rolling ends, setting a cooling stopping
temperature to 600°C or less, and setting an average cooling rate until the cooling
stopping temperature as 15°C per second or more to thereby cool the steel plate, and
making a total cumulative diffusion length Ltotai, that is defined by Formula (4), in a
time period until coiling starts after the temperature of the steel plate passes an An
transformation temperature 0.15 )lm or less; and a step of coiling the steel plate after
cooling at a coiling temperature of 600°C or less.
[Ti]-48/14x[N]-48/32x[S] ~ 0% (1)
SRT min= 10780/ { 5.13-log([Ti]x[C]) }-273 (2)
SR = ld/hm (3)
Ltotal = L..J(D(T)L\tL) (4)
Where, a content (mass%) of a corresponding element is substituted for each
symbol of an element in Formula (1) and Formula (2). In Formula (3), "ld"
represents a length of an arc of contact between a rolling roll that performs a final
rolling reduction in the finish rolling and the steel plate, and is defined by the
following formula.
ld = ..J(Lx(hin-hout)/2)
Where, L (mm) represents a diameter of the rolling roll, hin represents a plate
thickness (mm) ofthe steel plate at an entrance side of the rolling roll, and hout
represents a plate thickness (mm) of the steel plate at an exit side ofthe rolling roll,
and where hm is defined by the following formula.
hm = (hin+hout)/2
In Formula (4), L\tL represents a time period until coiling starts after the
temperature of the steel plate passes the An transformation temperature, and is a
very small time period of 0.2 seconds. D(T) represents a volume diffusion
coefficient ofTi at T°C, and is defined by the following formula when a diffusion
coefficient of Ti is represented by DO, an activation energy is represented by Q, and a
gas constant is represented by R.
D(T) = DOxExp{-Q/R(T+273)}
[0050]
The method for producing a tailored rolled blank according to the present
embodiment uses the aforementioned heat-rolled steel plate. The present method
for producing a tailored rolled blank includes: a step of producing a cold-rolled steel
plate by performing cold rolling on the heat-rolled steel plate while changing a draft
within a range of more than 5% to 50% so that a plate thickness changes in a tapered
shape in a longitudinal direction of the heat-rolled steel plate; and a step of
performing a precipitation hardening heat treatment on the cold-rolled steel plate.
In the precipitation hardening heat treatment, a highest heating temperature T max is
600 to 750°C, a holding time period tK (sec) at 600°C or more satisfies Formula (5)
with respect to the highest heating temperature T max, and a heat treatment index IN
defined by Formula (6) is 16500 to 19500.
530-0.7xT max:::; tK:::; 3600-3.9xT max (5)
IN= (Tn+273)(log(tn/3600)+20) (6)
Where, tn (sec) in Formula (6) is defined by Formula (7).
tn/3600 = l OX+~tiN/3600 (7)
Where, X= ((Tn-J+273)/(Tn+273))(log(tn-II3600)+20)-20. Further, t1 =~tiN,
and ~tiN is one second.
TnCOC) in Formula (6) is defined by Formula (8).
Tn= Tn-J+a~tiN (8)
Where, a represents the rate of temperature increase or a cooling rate (0 C/s) at
the temperature T n-I .
[0051]
The above described method for producing a tailored rolled blank may further
include a step of performing a galvanizing treatment before the step of heating the
slab, before the step of cooling the steel plate after finish rolling, before the step of
coiling the steel plate that is cooled, or after the step of performing a precipitation
hardening heat treatment. The present method for producing a tailored rolled blank
2o
may further include a step of performing an alloying treatment at 450 to 600°C after
performing the galvanizing treatment.
[0052]
By using the heat-rolled steel plate of the present embodiment, a tailored
rolled blank having a tensile strength of 590 MPa or more and having excellent cold
formability can be obtained. The tailored rolled bl'ank can be used for uses such as
framework components of automobiles as well as inner plate members, structural
members and underbody members with respect to which a high level of performance
is demanded with regard to collision absorption energy, rigidity, fatigue strength and
the like.
[0053]
Hereunder, the heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled blank, and a tailored
rolled blank that is produced using the heat-rolled steel plate are described in detail.
[0054]
[Heat-rolled Steel Plate for Tailored Rolled Blank]
[Chemical composition]
The chemical composition of the heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled
blank of the present embodiment contains the following elements. Hereunder, the
symbol "%"with respect to the content of each element denotes mass percent.
[0055]
C: 0.03 to 0.1%
Carbon (C) increases the strength of steel by structural strengthening. In
addition, when producing a tailored rolled blank using the present heat-rolled steel
plate, C bonds with Ti to form Ti carbo-nitrides, and increases the strength of a
tailored rolled blank by precipitation hardening. If the C content is too low, the
above effects are not obtained, and the tensile strength of the tailored rolled blank
will be less than 590 MPa. On the other hand, if the C content is too high, the
strength becomes too high and elongation ofthe heat-rolled steel plate decreases.
Accordingly, the C content is in a range of 0.03 to 0.1 %. A preferable lower limit
of the C content is 0.06%. A preferable upper limit ofthe C content is 0.09%.
[0056]
Si: 1.5% or less
Silicon (Si) is unavoidably contained. Si dissolves in steel to increase the
strength of the steel. Si also improves the balance between tensile strength and
elongation. However, if the Si content is too high, tiger-striped scale is formed and
the surface properties ofthe heat-rolled steel plate deteriorate. In this case, the
productivity of a pickling treatment that is performed with the objective of removing
scale decreases. If the surface properties ofthe heat-rolled steel plate deteriorate,
the chemical treatability will also decrease, and hence corrosion resistance after
coating of the tailored rolled blank will decrease. Accordingly, the Si content is
1.5% or less (not including 0%). A preferable lower limit of the Si content is 0.02%.
In this case, as well as the above described effects, the occurrence of scale defects as
typified by fish-scale defects and spindle-shaped scale can also be suppressed. A
preferable upper limit of the Si content is 0.07%. In this case, the occurrence of
tiger-striped scale can be further suppressed.
[0057]
Mn: 1.0 to 2.5%
Manganese (Mn) contributes to solid-solution strengthening of steel and also
increases the hardenability of the steel. If the Mn content is too low, the strength of
the steel will be too low, and the tensile strength will be less than 590 MPa. On the
other hand, if the Mn content is too high, segregation is liable to occur and the
workability and press formability will decrease. Accordingly, the Mn content is
from 1.0 to 2.5%. An appropriate range ofthe Mn content depends on the tensile
strength. A preferable Mn content in a tailored rolled blank having a tensile
strength of 590 to 700 MPa is 1.0 to 1.8%. A preferable Mn content in a tailored
rolled blank having a tensile strength of 700 to 900 MPa is 1.6 to 2.2%. A
preferable Mn content in a tailored rolled blank having a tensile strength of 900 MPa
or more is 2.0 to 2.5%
[0058]
Mn also suppresses the occurrence of hot cracking caused by S. In a case
where the content of an element other than Mn for suppressing the occurrence of hot
cracking caused by S is insufficient, a ratio of the Mn content ([Mn]) with respect to
the S content ([S]) ([Mn]/[S]) is preferably 20 or more.
[0059]
P: 0.1% or less
Phosphorus (P) is unavoidably contained. P contributes to solid-solution
strengthening of steel. However, if the P content is too high, the workability and
weldability of the steel plate decreases. Accordingly, the P content is 0.1% or less
(not including 0%). A preferable lower limit of the P content is 0.005%. A
preferable upper limit of the P content is 0.02%.
[0060]
S: 0.02% or less
Sulfur (S) is an impurity that is unavoidably contained. S generates
inclusions such as MnS and reduces the stretch-flange formability of steel, and also
causes cracking during hot rolling. Accordingly, the S content is 0.02% or less (not
including 0%). A preferable upper limit of the S content is 0.005%. In this case,
the weldability and production stability during castirig and during heat rolling
increases. Preferably, the S content is as low as possible. However, when
production costs are taken into consideration, a lower limit of the S content is, for
example, 0.0001%.
[0061]
AI: 0.01 to 1.2%
Aluminum (AI) deoxidizes steel and reduces dissolved oxygen in molten steel.
Therefore, AI can suppress the formation of alloy oxides that are formed by Ti, Nb,
Mo and V bonding with dissolved oxygen. If the AI content is too low, this effect is
not obtained. On the other hand, if the AI content is too high, a tundish nozzle is
liable to clog at the time of casting. Furthermore, if the AI content is too high the
chemical treatability and zinc plating properties will decrease. Moreover, if the AI
content is too high, a large amount of non-metallic inclusions such as alumina are
generated, and the local ductility of the steel decreases. Therefore, the AI content is
in a range from 0.01 to 1.2%. A preferable lower limit ofthe AI content is 0.02%.
In a case of further enhancing the chemical treatment and zinc plating properties, a
preferable upper limit of the AI content is 0.6%. In a case of further suppressing
generation of non-metallic inclusions such as alumina, a preferable upper limit ofthe ·
AI content is 0.3%.
[0062]
N: 0.01% or less
Nitrogen (N) is an impurity that is unavoidably contained. N bonds with Ti,
Nb and the like to form nitrides. In this case, if nitrides are formed, it is difficult for
Ti and Nb to exhibit the actions that are described later. In addition, these nitrides
precipitate at high temperature and tend to coarsen readily, and are liable to act as a
starting point of burring cracking. Therefore, theN content is 0.0 I% or less (not
including 0%).
[0063]
Note that, when using the tailored rolled blank of the present embodiment for
a member in which aging deterioration becomes a problem, a preferable upper limit
ofthe N content is 0.006%. Further, when using the tailored rolled blank of the
present embodiment with respect to a member based on the premise that the member
will be subjected to working after being left to stand at room temperature for two
weeks or more after production, a preferable upper limit of theN content is 0.005%.
In a case where the tailored rolled blank will be left to stand under a hightemperature
environment in summer or will be exported using a marine vessel or the
like to a region located across the equator, the preferable upper limit of the N content
is less than 0.004%.
[0064]
Ti: 0.015 to 0.15%
Among various kinds of precipitation hardening elements, titanium (Ti) is the
element with the highest precipitation hardening capacity. This is because Ti is the
element in which a difference between the solubility in a y-phase (austenite) and an
a-phase (ferrite) is largest. In the present embodiment, precipitation ofTi carbonitrides
(Ti(C, N)) in the heat-rolled steel plate is suppressed to the utmost, and Ti is
caused to be present in a dissolved state or in a cluster state. Cold rolling is
performed on the heat-rolled steel plate to produce an intermediate product in the
shape of a tailored rolled blank. At such time, a large amount of dislocations are
introduced into the intermediate product. The intermediate product is subjected to
precipitation hardening heat treatment to produce a tailored rolled blank. At such
time, Ti carbo-nitrides finely precipitate on the dislocations, and the tailored rolled
blank undergoes precipitation hardening. In this way, the strength and elongation
of the tailored rolled blank improves.
[0065]
When the Ti content is too low, the number density ofTi carbo-nitrides in the
tailored rolled blank is less than 10 10 per mm3, and the tensile strength ofthe tailored
rolled blank after precipitation hardening heat treatment is less than 590 MPa. In
contrast, if the Ti content is too high, the above described effect saturates, and
furthermore, a tundish nozzle is liable to clog up. Further, if the Ti content is too
high, the austenite recrystallization speed is slow during hot rolling and an aggregate
structure of the heat-rolled steel plate is liable to develop. In this case, in-plane
anisotropy increases in the tailored rolled blank after the precipitation hardening heat
treatment. In this case, because the cold formability of the heat-rolled steel plate
decreases, the plate thickness accuracy and plate width accuracy of the tailored rolled
blank becomes lower. Accordingly, the Ti content is from 0.015 to 0.15%. A
preferable upper limit of the Ti content is 0.12%.
[0066]
[Regarding Formula (I)]
The above described chemical composition also satisfies Formula (1).
[Ti]-48/14x[N]-48/32x[S] ~ 0 (1)
Where, a content (mass%) of the corresponding element is substituted for the
respective symbols of elements in Formula (1 ).
[0067]
As described above, Ti finely precipitates as Ti carbo-nitrides (Ti(C, N))
when subjected to a precipitation hardening heat treatment, and thus the tailored
rolled blank undergoes precipitation hardening and the tensile strength thereof is 590
MPa or more. However, Ti has a high affinity with Nand S. Therefore, if the Ti
content is too low relative to the N content and S content, TiN and TiS are formed
without forming Ti carbo-nitrides. Since TiN and TiS are coarse, TiN and TiS do
not contribute to improving the strength of the steel. Therefore, Ti must be
contained in an amount such that Ti sufficiently precipitates as Ti carbo-nitrides.
[0068]
:%-
F1 is defined as equal to [Ti]-48/14x[N]-48/32x[S]. IfF1 is less than 0, the
Ti content is too low relative to theN content and S content in the heat-rolled steel
plate. In this case, even if a precipitation hardening heat treatment that is described
later is performed on the heat-rolled steel plate, it will be difficult forTi carbonitrides
to be formed. On the other hand, ifF 1 is 0 or more, a sufficient amount of
Ti for precipitating as carbo-nitrides is contained. In this case, the strength of the
tailored rolled blank can be raised to 590 MPa or more.
[0069]
The balance of the chemical composition of the heat-rolled steel plate of the
present embodiment is Fe and impurities. Here, the term "impurities" refers to
components that are contained in a raw material of ore, scrap or the like or that are
mixed in due to some other cause when industrially producing the heat-rolled steel
plate.
[0070]
The heat-rolled steel plate according to the present embodiment may further
contain one or more types of element selected from the group consisting ofNb, Cu,
Ni, Mo, V, Cr and Was a substitute for a part of Fe. Each of these elements is an
optional element. Each of these elements increases the strength of the steel.
[0071]
Nb: 0 to 0.1%
Niobium (Nb) is an optional element, and need not be contained. In a case
where Nb is contained, the Nb increases the strength of the steel by precipitation
hardening, similarly to Ti. If even a small amount ofNb is contained, the above
described effect is obtained. However, ifthe Nb content is too high, the
precipitation hardening saturates and the elongation and workability decreases.
Therefore, the Nb content is from 0 to 0.1 %. A preferable lower limit of the Nb
content for further effectively obtaining the above described effect is 0.005%, and
more preferably is 0.02%. A preferable upper limit of the Nb content is 0.05%.
[0072]
Cu: 0 to 1%
Copper (Cu) is an optional element, and need not be contained. In a case
where Cu is contained, the Cu precipitates independently, and increases the strength
;26-
of the steel. If even a small amount of Cu is contained, the above described effect is
obtained. However, if the Cu content is too high, the steel becomes brittle during
hot rolling. Therefore, the Cu content is from 0 to 1%. A preferable lower limit of
the Cu content for further effectively obtaining the above described effect is 0.005%.
[0073]
Ni: 0 to 1%
Nickel (Ni) is an optional element, and need not be contained. In a case
where Ni is contained, similarly to Mn, the Ni increases the hardenability ofthe steel
and raises the strength of the steel and also raises the toughness ofthe steel. In a
case where Cu is contained, the Ni also suppresses hot brittleness of the steel. If
even a small amount ofNi is contained, the above described effect is obtained.
However, if the Ni content is too high, the production costs rise. Therefore, the Ni
content is from 0 to 1%. A preferable lower limit of the Ni content for further
effectively obtaining the above described effect is 0 .. 005%.
[0074]
Mo: 0 to 0.2%
V: 0 to 0.2%
Molybdenum (Mo) and vanadium (V) are each optional elements, and need
not be contained. In a case where Mo and V are contained, similarly to Ti and Nb,
the Mo and V cause the steel to undergo precipitation hardening. If even a small
amount of Mo and V is contained, the above described effect is obtained. However,
if the Mo and V content is too high, elongation ofthe steel decreases. Therefore,
the Mo content is from 0 to 0.2%, and the V content is from 0 to 0.2%. For further
effectively obtaining the above described effect, a preferable lower limit of the Mo
content is 0.005% and a preferable lower limit of the V content is 0.005%.
[0075]
Cr: 0 to 1%
Chromium (Cr) is an optional element, and n'eed not be contained. In a case
where Cr is contained, similarly to Mn, the Cr increases the hardenability and raises
the strength of the steel and also raises the toughness of the steel. If even a small
amount of Cr is contained, the above described effect is obtained. However, if the
Cr content is too high, Cr-based alloy carbides that are typified by Cr23C6 precipitate.
IfCr-based alloy carbides precipitate at the grain boundary, the press formability
decreases. Therefore, the Cr content is from 0 to I%. A preferable lower limit of
the Cr content for further effectively obtaining the above described effect is 0.005%.
[0076]
W: 0 to 0.5%
Tungsten (W) is an optional element, and need not be contained. In a case
where W is contained, the W increases the strength of the steel by precipitation
hardening or solid-solution strengthening. If even a small amount of W is
contained, the above described effect is obtained. However, if theW content is too
high, the above described effect saturates and the production costs rise. Therefore,
theW content is from 0 to 0.5%. A preferable lower limit of theW content for
further effectively obtaining the above described effect is 0.01 %.
[0077]
The heat-rolled steel plate according to the present embodiment may further
contain one or more types of element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca
and rare earth metals (REM) as a substitute for a part of Fe. Each of these elements
increases the workability of the steel.
[0078]
Mg: 0 to 0.005%
Ca: 0 to 0.005%
Rare earth metal: 0 to 0.1%
Magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and rare earth metals (REM) are each
optional elements, and need not be contained. If contained, each of these elements
controls the form of non-metallic inclusions. Non-metallic inclusions are the
starting points of fractures, and reduce the workability of steel. Therefore, if the
form of non-metallic inclusions is controlled, the workability ofthe steel increases.
If even a small amount of these elements is contained; the above described effect is
obtained. However, if the content of these elements is too high, the above described
effect saturates and the production costs rise. Therefore, the Mg content is from 0
to 0.005%, the Ca content is from 0 to 0.005%, and the REM content is from 0 to
0.1 %. For further effectively obtaining the above described effect, a preferable
lower limit of the Mg content, a preferable lower limit of the Ca content and a
preferable lower limit of the REM content are each 0.0005%.
[0079]
In the present description, the term "REM" is a generic term for a total of 17
elements of Sc, Y and lanthanoids, and the term "REM content" refers to the total
content of the aforementioned elements. In many cases REM elements are added as
a misch metal, and are contained in complex form with an element such as La or Ce.
Metals such as La and Ce may also be added as an REM.
[0080]
The heat-rolled steel plate of the present embodiment may further contain B
as a substitute for a part of Fe.
[0081]
B: 0 to 0.005%
Boron (B) is an optional element, and need not be contained. If contained, B
enhances the hardenability ofthe steel and increases a structural fraction of a lowtemperature
transformation generating phase that is a hard phase. If even a small
amount of B is contained, the above described effect is effectively obtained.
However, if the B content is too high, the above described effect saturates and the
production costs further rise. Therefore, the B content is from 0 to 0.005%. A
preferable lower limit of the B content for further effectively obtaining the above
described effect is 0.0002%. In a cooling step after continuous casting, a preferable
upper limit of the B content for suppressing the occurrence of slab cracking is
0.0015%.
[0082]
The heat-rolled steel plate of the present embodiment may further contain one
or more types of element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Sn, Co and Zn as
a substitute for a part of Fe.
[0083]
One or more types of element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Sn,
Co and Zn: 0 to 0.05% in total
Zirconium (Zr), tin (Sn), cobalt (Co) and zinc (Zn) are each optional elements
and need not be contained. If contained, these elements increase the strength of the
;,2!1-
steel by solid-solution strengthening or precipitation strengthening. These elements
also control the form of sulfides and oxides to increase the toughness of the steel. If
even a small amount of these elements is contained, the above described effects are
obtained. On the other hand, if the total content of these elements is too high, the
ductility of the steel decreases. Therefore, the total content of one or more types of
element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Sn, Co and Zn is 0 to 0.05%. A
preferable lower limit of the total content of these elements is 0.005%. In a case
where Sn is contained, if the Sn content is too high, flaws are liable to arise in the
steel during hot rolling. Therefore, a preferable upper limit of the Sn content is
0.03%.
[0084]
[Microstructure]
The microstructure ofthe heat-rolled steel plate of the present embodiment
contains, in terms of the area ratio, 20% or more of bainite, and the balance is mainly
ferrite. Here, the term "the balance is mainly ferrite" means that half (50%) or more
of the balance in terms ofthe area ratio is ferrite. In addition to ferrite, the balance
may contain martensite, retained austenite, pearlite and the like. Preferably, the
area ratio of martensite in the microstructure is 5% or Jess, the area ratio of retained
austenite is 2% or Jess, and the area ratio of pearlite is 2% or Jess. In this case, the
local ductility increases and the stretch-flange formability is enhanced.
[0085]
If the area ratio of bainite in the microstructure is Jess than 20%, the area ratio
of ferrite that is increased in strength by precipitation strengthening is too high, and
hence the cold formability ofthe steel decreases. Specifically, in a case where a
tailored rolled blank is produced using a heat-rolled steel plate in which the bainite
area ratio is less than 20%, the strength ofthe steel plate excessively increases during
cold rolling, and the rolling reaction force rises. In such a case, the dimensional
accuracy (plate thickness accuracy and plate width accuracy) of the tailored rolled
blank decreases and the cold formability also decreases.
[0086]
Furthermore, if the bainite area ratio is Jess than 20%, in some cases an overaging
state arises in the heat-rolled steel plate. In such a case, the strength of the
heat-rolled steel plate decreases. Therefore, the cold formability is maintained.
However, an improvement in the strength ofthe steel plate by precipitation
hardening during a heat treatment after cold rolling is not obtained. Therefore, in
the microstructure of the heat-rolled steel plate, the bainite area ratio is 20% or more,
and the balance is mainly ferrite.
[0087]
In the present embodiment, to dissolve or cluster Ti in the heat-rolled steel
plate, as described later, a coiling temperature CT is set to 600°C or less. This
coiling temperature CT comes close to a bainite transformation temperature for the
aforementioned chemical composition. Therefore, the microstructure ofthe heatrolled
steel plate of the present embodiment contains a large amount of bainite and
also includes a large number of dislocations (transformation dislocations) that are
introduced during bainite transformation. A transformation dislocation is a
nucleation site of Ti carbo-nitrides. Therefore, an even greater amount of
precipitation hardening can be obtained by the precipitation hardening heat treatment.
[0088]
The area ratio of bainite can be adjusted by controlling the cooling history
during hot rolling. A preferable lower limit ofthe area ratio of bainite is more than
70%. In this case, the strength of the tailored rolled blank can be further enhanced
by precipitation hardening, and coarse cementite for which the cold formability is
low decreases in the microstructure. Hence, the cold formability increases. A
preferable upper limit of the area ratio of bainite is 90%.
[0089]
The term "ferrite" as the balance in the microstructure that is mentioned above
refers to polygonal ferrite (PF). More specifically, polygonal ferrite is a grain
whose interior structure does not appear by etching using a nital reagent, and which
also satisfies the formula lq/dq < 3.5 when the circumferential length of the target
grain is represented by lq and the circle-equivalent diameter thereof is represented by
dq.
[0090]
[Method of measuring area ratio of each phase]
3~-
The area ratio of each phase in the aforementioned microstructure is measured
by the following method. A sample is taken from the heat-rolled steel plate. Of
the total surface of the sample, a plate-thickness cross section that is parallel to the
rolling direction is taken as an observation surface. After polishing the observation
surface, the observation surface is subjected to etching with nital. A visual field of
300 1-Lm x 300 1-Lm of the observation surface after etching is photographed using an
optical microscope to generate a structural photograph at a position at a depth
equivalent to one-quarter of the plate thickness. Image analysis is performed on the
obtained structural photograph to determine the area ratio of ferrite (polygonal
ferrite), the area ratio of pearlite, and the total area ratio of bainite and martensite,
respectively.
[0091]
In addition, another sample is taken from the heat-rolled steel plate. On the
surface of the sample, a plate-thickness cross section that is parallel to the rolling
direction is taken as the observation surface. The observation surface is subjected
to LePera corrosion after polishing the observation surface. A visual field of 300
1-Lm x 300 1-Lm of the observation surface after corrosion is photographed using an
optical microscope to generate a structural photograph at a depth position equivalent
to one-quarter of the plate thickness. Image processing is performed on the
obtained structural photograph to determine the total area ratio of retained austenite
and martensite.
[0092]
In addition, a different sample is prepared that is surface milled to a depth of
one-quarter of the plate thickness from a rolling surface normal direction. Of the
entire sample surface, X-ray diffraction measurement is performed with respect to
the surface that underwent surface milling, and the volume ratio of retained austenite
is thereby determined. Since the volume ratio of retained austenite is equal to the
area ratio of retained austenite, the obtained volume ratio of retained austenite is
defined as the area ratio of the retained austenite.
[0093]
The area ratio of bainite and the area ratio of martensite are determined based
on the total area ratio of bainite and martensite, the total area ratio of retained
austenite and martensite, and the area ratio of retained austenite that are obtained by
the above described method.
[0094]
The respective area ratios of ferrite, bainite, martensite, retained austenite and
pearlite can be determined by the above described method.
[0095]
[Number density no and bake hardening amount (BH amount) of fine Ti
carbo-nitrides in heat-rolled steel plate]
Preferably, the Ti is dissolved or is in clusters in the heat-rolled steel plate.
In short, it is preferable that the amount ofTi carbo-nitride in the heat-rolled steel
plate is as small as possible. Ti carbo-nitrides having a particle diameter exceeding
10 nm (hereunder, referred to as "coarse Ti carbo-nitrides") does not contribute to
strengthening of the heat-rolled steel plate. On the other hand, if a large amount of
Ti carbo-nitrides having a particle diameter of I 0 nm or less (hereunder, referred to
as "fine Ti carbo-nitrides") precipitates, the strength ofthe heat-rolled steel plate will
be too high. In this case, the rolling reaction force during cold rolling on the heatrolled
steel plate becomes excessively high.
[0096]
In addition, in a case where coarse Ti carbo-nitrides and fine Ti carbo-nitrides
are formed in the heat-rolled steel plate, even if a precipitation hardening heat
treatment is performed on the steel plate after cold rolling (cold-rolled steel plate), it
is difficult forTi carbo-nitrides to be formed and thus precipitation hardening is not
obtained. Therefore, in the heat-rolled steel plate, it is preferable that the number of
fine Ti carbo-nitrides and coarse Ti carbo-nitrides is small, and Ti is in a dissolved or
clustered state.
[0097]
In a case where a number density no of fine Ti carbo-nitrides in the heat-rolled
steel plate is l.Ox I 017 per cm3 or less, and a bake hardening amount (BH amount) is
I5 MPa or more, Ti is adequately dissolved in the heat-rolled steel plate or is present .
therein as cluster-shaped Ti carbo-nitrides. In this case, precipitation hardening
does not occur in the heat-rolled steel plate, and breaking elongation increases.
Consequently, a rolling reaction force during cold rolling can be suppressed to a low
amount, and cold formability increases. In addition, a large number of dislocations
are introduced into the steel plate by the decrease in the rolling reaction force. The
introduced dislocations become precipitation sites ofTi carbo-nitrides during the
precipitation hardening heat treatment after cold rolling. Therefore, a large amount
of fine Ti carbo-nitrides precipitate, and the strength of the tailored rolled blank can
be increased to 590 MPa or more. In addition, during the precipitation hardening
heat treatment, restoration of dislocations occurs and the dislocation density
decreases. As a result, the ductility of the tailored rolled blank increases.
Therefore, the number density no of fine Ti carbo-nitrides in the heat-rolled steel
plate is l.Ox 10 17 per cm3 or less, and the BH amount is 15 MPa or more.
[0098]
[Method of measuring number density no of fine Ti carbo-nitrides]
The method of measuring the number density no of the fine Ti carbo-nitrides
is as follows. An acicular sample is prepared from the heat-rolled steel plate by
cutting and electropolishing. At this time, focused ion beam milling may be utilized
together with electropolishing according to need. A three-dimensional distribution
image of complex carbo-nitrides is acquired from the acicular sample by a threedimensional
atom probe measurement method.
[0099]
According to the three-dimensional atom probe measurement method,
integrated data can be reconstructed to acquire an actual three-dimensional
distribution image of atoms in a real-space. With regard to measurement of the
particle diameter of the Ti carbo-nitrides, a diameter when the relevant precipitate is
regarded as a sphere is determined based on the number of atoms constituting the
precipitate that is the observation object and the lattice constant thereof, and the
diameter that is determined is defined as the particle diameter of the Ti carbo-nitride.
[0100]
In the present description, particles having a particle diameter in a range from
0.5 to 10 nm among the Ti carbo-nitrides are defined as fine Ti carbo-nitrides. In a
case where the particle diameter is less than 0.5 nm, because the particle diameter is
less than the lattice constant of the Ti carbo-nitrides, the Ti carbo-nitrides cannot be
regarded as a precipitate. The number density no (particles/cm3
) is determined
based on the number of fine Ti carbo-nitrides.
[0101]
[Method of measuring bake hardening amount (BH amount)]
The BH amount is an index that shows the amount of dissolved C. In a case
where a large amount of coarse Ti carbo-nitrides precipitates, the BH amount in the
heat-rolled steel plate is low. In this case, an adequate amount of carbo-nitride
precipitation is not obtained in the precipitation hardening heat treatment after cold
rolling. If the BH amount in the heat-rolled steel plate is 15 MPa or more, because
the amount of coarse Ti carbo-nitrides contained in the heat-rolled steel plate is
sufficiently suppressed, the steel plate after the precipitation hardening heat treatment
is adequately hardened. A preferable BH amount is 25 MPa or m.o re, and a more
preferable BH amount is 30 MPa or more.
[01 02]
The method of measuring the BH amount is as follows. A JIS No. 5 tensile
test specimen for which the rolling width direction is taken as the longitudinal
direction is extracted from the heat-rolled steel plate. A tension test is performed on
the tensile test specimen, and given a tension prestrain of 4%. After being given the
tension prestrain of 4%, the load is temporarily removed. The tensile test specimen
from which the load is removed is subjected to heat treatment for 20 minutes at
180°C. The tensile test specimen after the heat treatment is subjected to a tension
test once again. The BH amount is the margin of increase in the deforming stress at
the time of the tension test after the heat treatment, and is determined by the
following equation.
BH amount (MPa) = UYa (MPa)- FSb (MPa)
Where, UYa represents an upper yield point (MPa) when tension is reapplied
after the heat treatment, and FSb represents the maximum deforming stress (MPa)
when the tensile test specimen is given a tension prestrain of 4%.
[0103]
[Crystal orientation]
With respect to the heat-rolled steel plate ofthe present embodiment, a range
of a depth equivalent to three-eighths of the plate thickness to a depth equivalent to
five-eighths of the plate thickness from the surface is defined as the "interior" of the
heat-rolled steel plate. A result of a crystal orientation measurement at a depth
position (center portion) equivalent to one-half of the plate thickness from the
surface among the entire interior of the heat-rolled steel plate is defined as the crystal
orientation of the interior. On the other hand, a range from the surface to a depth
equivalent to one-quarter of the plate thickness is defined as an "outer layer" of the
heat-rolled steel plate. Further, a result of a crystal orientation measurement at
center position of the "outer layer", that is, a position at a depth equivalent to oneeighth
of the plate thickness from the surface is defined as the crystal orientation of
the outer layer. In the interior and the outer layer, the crystal orientation satisfies
the following conditions.
[0 I 04]
[Crystal orientation of interior]
In the interior, an average value of pole dens~ties 01 of a crystal orientation
group (hereunder, referred to as "orientation group {I 00}<011> to {223 }<11 0>")
consisting of crystal orientations {100}<011>, {116}<110>, {114}<110>,
{ 113 }<11 0>, { 112}<11 0>, {335}<11 0> and {223 }<11 0> is four or less and a pole
density 02 of a {332}<113> crystal orientation is 4.8 or less.
[01 05]
In short, in the interior of the heat-rolled steel plate, the crystal orientation is
made as random as possible to decrease the in-plane anisotropy. In a case where
the average value of the pole densities 01 of the orientation group { 1 00}<011> to
{223}<110> is four or less and the pole density 02 ofthe {332}<113> crystal
orientation is 4.8 or less, the in-plane anisotropy ofthe tensile strength and breaking
elongation decreases. Specifically, a value ofiMI that is an index ofthe in-plane
anisotropy of the tensile strength and breaking elongation is less than 0.6. In this
case, because the in-plane anisotropy is small, the dimensional accuracy (plate
thickness accuracy and plate width accuracy) of an intermediate product after cold
rolling increases, and excellent cold formability is obtained.
[01 06]
Ifthe average value ofthe pole densities 01 ofthe orientation group
{100}<011> to {223}<110> exceeds 4, or ifthe pole density 02 ofthe {332}<113>
crystal orientation exceeds 4.8, the value of IMI becomes 0.6 or more, and the inplane
anisotropy becomes too large. In such case, the cold formability decreases.
A preferable upper limit of the average value of the pole densities 01 of the
orientation group {100}<011> to {223}<110> is 3.5. A further preferable upper
limit is 3.0. A preferable upper limit of the pole density 02 of the {332}<113>
crystal orientation is 4.0. A further preferable upper limit is 3.0.
[01 07]
[Crystal orientation of outer layer]
On the other hand, in the outer layer, a pole density 03 of a { 11 0} <00 1 >
crystal orientation is 2.5 or more. In short, although the crystal orientation is made
as random as possible in the interior, in the outer layer the proportion thereof that is
occupied by the { 11 0}<001> crystal orientation as a specific crystal orientation is
made as high as possible.
[0108]
In plastic deformation (rolling deformation) of a bee metal, for grains of the
{11 0} <00 1 > crystal orientation, there are few active slip systems and the orientation
is not susceptible to work hardening. When producing a tailored rolled blank, the
draft is partially changed during cold rolling to produce a thick-wall portion and a
thin-wall portion in the steel plate. Accordingly, the draft during the cold rolling
differs between a thick-wall portion and a thin-wall portion. If the drafts are
different, the amount of strain that is introduced will also be different. Therefore, a
difference in work hardening arises between a thick-wall portion and a thin-wall
portion, and thus a difference arises in the hardness. A difference in the hardness is
liable to arise, in particular, between the outer layer portions of a thick-wall portion
and a thin-wall portion. In a case where the hardness of a steel plate differs
depending on the region, the cold formability of a tailored rolled blank decreases.
Accordingly, it is preferable to make a hardness difference as small as possible.
[0109]
As described above, the grains ofthe {110}<001> crystal orientation are not
susceptible to work hardening. Further, as described later, in the present
embodiment the cold-rolling rate is in a range frorri more than 5 to 50%. In this·
case, even after cold rolling, the { 11 0}<001> crystal orientation remains in the outer
-71'-
layer. Therefore, in the outer layer of the heat-rolled steel plate, if the pole density
of the { 11 0}<001> crystal orientation is high, specifically, if the pole density D3 of
the {110}<001> crystal orientation is 2.5 or more, a hardness difference between a
thick-wall portion and thin-wall portion of the tailored rolled blank can be reduced,
and a variation in the hardness can be suppressed. As a result, the cold formability
of the tailored rolled blank increases.
[011 0]
If the pole density D3 of the { 110}<001> crystal orientation is less than 2.5,
the hardness difference between a thick-wall portion and a thin-wall portion of the
tailored rolled blank becomes large. A preferable lower limit ofthe pole density of
the {II 0 }<00 1 > crystal orientation is 3 .0, and further preferably is 4.0.
[0 Ill]
The term "pole density" refers to a value that indicates how many times
higher the degree of accumulation of a test sample is relative to a reference sample
that generally does not have accumulation in a specific orientation. In the
embodiment of the present invention, values measured by an EBSP (Electron Back
Scattering Pattern) method are used for the pole densities described hereunder.
[0112]
Measurement of a pole density by the EBSP method is performed as follows.
A cross-section parallel to the rolling direction of the heat-rolled steel plate is
adopted as the observation surface. Of the entire observation surface, a rectangular
region of I 000 j..lm in the rolling direction and I 00 j..lm in the rolling surface normal
direction that is centered on a depth position (t/8) that is equivalent to one-eighth of a
plate thickness t from the steel plate surface is defined as an outer layer region.
Similarly, a rectangular region of 1000 j..lm in the rolling direction and I 00 1-lm in the
rolling surface normal direction that is centered on a depth position (t/2) that is
equivalent to one-half of the plate thickness t from the steel plate surface is defined
as an interior region. EBSD analysis is performed at measurement intervals of I
j..lm with respect to the outer layer region and interior region to acquire crystal
orientation information.
[0113]
;$-
The EBSD analysis is carried out at an analysis speed of200 to 300 points per
second using an apparatus constituted by a thermal field emission scanning electron
microscope (JSM-7001F; manufactured by JEOL Ltd.) and an EBSD detector
(Hikari detector; manufactured by TSL). An ODF (orientation distribution
function) is calculated with respect to the measured crystal orientation information
using EBSD analysis software "OIM Analysis (registered trademark)". By this
means, the pole density of each crystal orientation can be determined.
[0 114]
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of Euler space that takes angular variables cp1,
cp2 and as rectangular coordinates in an ODF (orientation distribution function),
and FIG. 1 B is a view illustrating main crystal orientation positions on a cp2 = 45°
section in the Euler space shown in FIG. 1A. Regarding the orientations, normally,
crystal orientations perpendicular to a plate plane are represented by (hkl) or {hkl},
and crystal orientation parallel to the rolling direction are represented by [uvw] or
. The terms {hkl} and represent collective terms for equivalent
planes, and (hkl) and [ uvw] represent individual crystal planes.
[0 115]
The crystalline structure of the heat-rolled steel plate of the present
embodiment is a body-centered cubic structure (bee 'structure). Therefore, for
example, (111), (-111), (1-11), (11-1), (-1-11), (-11-1), (1-1-1) and (-1-1-1) are
equivalent and cannot be distinguished from each other. These orientations are
collectively called { 111}.
[0 116]
Note that, ODF is also used for representing crystal orientations of lowsymmetry
crystalline structures. In general, such crystal orientations are
represented by cp 1 = 0 to 360°, = 0 to 180°, and cp2 = 0 to 360°, and individual
crystal orientations are represented by (hkl)[uvw]. However, the crystalline
structure of the heat-rolled steel plate ofthe present embodiment is a body-centered
cubic structure that has a high degree of symmetry. Therefore, and cp2 can be
represented with 0 to 90°.
[0 117]
~-
When performing a calculation, are synonymous. Therefore, for example, a random strength ratio of
an (001)[1-10] orientation ofthe ODF at a orientation.
[0118]
[Method for producing heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled blank]
An example of the method for producing a heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored
rolled blank that is described above will now be described. The method for
producing a heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled blank according to the present
embodiment includes a casting process and a hot rolling process. Hereunder, each
process is described.
[0 Il9]
[Casting process]
Molten steel is produced by a melting process using a shaft furnace, a
converter, an electric furnace or the like, and the molten steel is then adjusted by
various kinds of secondary refining processes so as to satisfy the aforementioned
chemical composition and Formula (1). The molten steel that is produced is used to
produce a slab by normal continuous casting, casting by an ingot method, or a thin
slab casting method or the like. Note that, scrap may also be used for the raw
material of the molten steel. In a case where a slab is obtained by continuous
casting, a high-temperature slab may be directly transferred as it is to a hot rolling
mill, or the slab may be cooled to room temperature and thereafter reheated in a
heating furnace and subjected to hot rolling.
[0120]
[Hot rolling process]
).·
2
Hot rolling is carried out using the produced slab to thereby produce a heatrolled
steel plate. The hot rolling process includes a heating step (S I), a rough
rolling step (S2), a finish rolling step (S3), a cooling step (S4) and a coiling step (S5).
[0 I2I]
In the heat-rolled steel plate of the present embodiment, precipitation ofTi
carbo-nitrides is suppressed as much as possible, and the Ti is dissolved or the Ti
carbo-nitride is placed in a clustered state. In addition, the pole density 0 I of the
interior orientation group {I OO} to {223 } and the pole density 02 of the
{332} crystal orientation is reduced, and the pole density 03 ofthe
{II 0}<00 I> crystal orientation of the outer layer is increased. By this means, the
in-plane anisotropy of the heat-rolled steel plate is reduced, and the cold formability
of the heat-rolled steel plate is increased. Furthermore, a hardness difference
between a thick-wall portion and a thin-wall portion of the tailored rolled blank is
decreased, and the cold formability ofthe tailored rolled blank is also increased.
The respective steps are described in detail below.
[0122]
[Heating· step (S I)]
First, the slab is heated in a heating furnace (heating step). The respective
conditions in the heating step are as follows.
[OI23]
Heating temperature Ts 1: not less than temperature SR T min ( 0 C) defined by
Formula (2)
Heat the slab at the heating temperature Ts 1 that is not less than the heating
temperature SRT min ( 0 C) defined by Formula (2).
SRT min= 10780/ { 5.I3-log([Ti]x[C]) }-273 (2)
The content of the corresponding element is substituted for the respective
symbols of elements in Formula (2).
[OI24]
If the heating temperature Ts 1 is less than SRT min, coarse Ti carbo-nitrides in
the slab do not dissolve sufficiently. In this case, a large amount of coarse Ti carbonitrides
remain inside the heat-rolled steel plate, and as a result the BH amount
decreases. Consequently, the strength ofthe heat-rolled steel plate decreases. In
addition, an effect of precipitation hardening by the precipitation hardening heat
treatment is not adequately obtained. If the heating temperature is SRT min or more,
formability is adequately obtained at a time of cold rolling and the tensile strength of
the tailored rolled blank is increased by precipitation hardening. A preferable lower
limit of the heating temperature for further increasing the operational efficiency is
1100°C.
[OI25]
Heating time period ts 1 at temperature SRT min or more: 30 minutes or more
A heating time period ts1 after the heating temperature becomes SRT min or
more is 30 minutes or more. In this case, Ti carbo-nitrides can be sufficiently
dissolved. A preferable heating time period ts1 is 60 minutes or more. In this case,
the slab can be evenly heated to a sufficient degree in the thickness direction thereof.
A preferable heating time period ts 1 is not more than 240 minutes. In this case,
excessive generation of scale can be suppressed, and a decrease in the yield can be
suppressed.
[OI26]
Note that, after casting the slab may also be directly transferred as it is
without being reheated to a roughing mill, described later, to perform rough rolling.
[OI27]
[Rough rolling step (S2)]
Rough rolling is promptly carried out on the slab extracted from the heating
furnace to thereby produce a rough bar. The conditions for rough rolling are as
follows.
[OI28]
Number of passes in which specific rolling is performed SPN: I or more
In the rough rolling, rolling in which the draft 20% or more and the slab
temperature is in a range from I 050 to II50°C is defined as "specific rolling". In
the rough rolling, specific rolling is performed one time (one pass) or more. That is,
the number of passes (specific passes number) SPN in which specific rolling is
performed is one or more.
We claim:
1. A heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled blank comprising:
a chemical composition coRsisting of, in mass%,
C: 0.03 to 0.1 %,
Si: 1.5% or less,
Mn: 1.0 to 2.5%,
P: 0.1% or less,
S: 0.02% or less,
AI: 0.01 to 1.2%,
N: 0.01% or less,
Ti: 0.015 to 0.15%,
Nb: 0 to 0.1 %,
Cu: 0 to 1%,
Ni: 0 to 1%,
Mo: 0 to 0 .. 2%,
V: 0 to 0.2%,
Cr: 0 to 1%,
W: 0 to 0.5%,
Mg: 0 to 0.005%,
Ca: 0 to 0.005%,
rare earth metal: 0 to 0.1 %,
B: 0 to 0.005%, and
one or more types of element selected from a group consisting of Zr, Sn, Co
and Zn in a total amount of 0 to 0.05%, with the balance being Fe and impurities, and
satisfying Formula (1); and
a microstructure containing, in terms of area ratio, 20% or more of bainite,
with 50% or more in terms of area ratio of the balance being ferrite;
wherein:
at a depth position that is equivalent to one-half of a plate thickness from a
surface of the heat-rolled steel plate, an average value of pole densities of an
orientation group { 1 00}<011> to {223 }<11 0> comprising crystal orientations
{ 1 00}<011>, { 116}<11 0>, { 114 }<11 0>, { 113}<11 0>, { 112}<11 0>, {335}<110>
and {223}<110> is four or less and a pole density of a {332}<113> crystal
orientation is 4.8 or less;
at a depth position that is equivalent to one-eighth of the plate thickness from
the surface ofthe heat-rolled steel plate, a pole density of a {110}<001> crystal
orientation is 2.5 or more;
a number density of fine Ti carbo-nitrides having a particle diameter of 1 0 nm
or less among Ti carbo-nitrides in the heat-rolled steel plate is l.Ox 1017 per cm3; and
a bake hardening amount is 15 MPa or more;
[Ti]-48/14x[N]-48/32x[S];;:: 0 (1),
where a content (mass%) of a corresponding element is substituted for each
symbol of an element in Formula (1).
2. The heat-rolled steel plate according to claim 1, wherein:
the chemical composition contains one or more types of element selected
from a group consisting of:
Nb: 0.005 to 0.1 %,
Cu: 0.005 to I%,
Ni: 0.005 to I%,
Mo: 0.005 to 0.2%,
V: 0.005 to 0.2%,
Cr: 0.005 to 1%, and
W: 0.01 to 0.5%.
3. The heat-rolled steel plate according to claim I or 2, wherein:
the chemical composition contains one or more types of element selected
from a group consisting of:
Mg: 0.0005 to 0.005%,
Ca: 0.0005 to 0.005%, and
rare earth metal: 0.0005 to 0. I%.
4. The heat-rolled steel plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the
chemical composition contains:
B: 0.0002 to 0.005%.
5. The heat-rolled steel plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the
chemical composition contains:
one or more types of element selected from a group consisting of Zr, Sn, Co
and Zn in a total amount of 0.005 to 0.05%.
6. A tailored rolled blank in which a plate thickness changes in a tapered shape
in a rolling direction, comprising:
a thick-wall portion, and
a thin-wall portion that is thinner than the thick-wall portion;
wherein:
in the tailored rolled blank, a ratio of an average hardness Htmax of a thickest
wall portion at which the plate thickness is thickest to an average hardness Htmin of a
thinnest wall portion at which the plate thickness is thinnest is in a range of more
than 1.0 to- 1.5,
an average dislocation density ofthe thinnest wall portion is 1x1014m·2 or less,
and
a number density of fine Ti carbo-nitrides having a particle diameter of 10 nm
or less is more than 2x 1017 per cm3•
7. The tailored rolled blank according to claim 6, wherein the tailored rolled
blank is produced using a heat-rolled steel plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
8. The tailored rolled blank according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a
galvanized layer on a surface thereof.
9. A method for producing a heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled blank,
comprising:
a step of heating at not less than a temperature SRT min that is defined by
Formula (2) a slab containing, in mass%, C: 0.03 to 0.1 %, Si: 1.5% or less, Mn: 1.0
to 2.5%, P: 0.1% or less, S: 0.02% or less, AI: 0.01 to 1.2%, N: 0.01% or less, Ti:
0.015 to 0.15%, Nb: 0 to 0.1%, Cu: 0 to 1%, Ni: 0 to 1%, Mo: 0 to 0.2%, V: 0 to
0.2%, Cr: 0 to 1%, W: 0 to 0.5%, Mg: 0 to 0.005%, Ca: 0 to 0.005%, rare earth
metal: 0 to 0.1 %, B: 0 to 0.005%, and one or more types of element selected from a
group consisting of Zr, Sn, Co and Zn in a total amount of 0 to 0.05%, with the
balance being Fe and impurities, and satisfying Formula (1);
a step of producing a rough bar by performing rough rolling with an overall
draft of 60 to 90% with respect to the slab that is heated, and during the rough rolling,
performing one rolling pass or more at a draft of 20% or more when a slab
temperature is 1050 to 1150°C;
a step of producing a steel plate by starting finish rolling with respect to the
rough bar within 150 seconds after rough rolling ends, and performing finish rolling
in which a temperature of the rough bar when starting the finish rolling is in a range
of 1 000°C to less than 1 080°C, an overall draft is set in a range of 75 to 95%, a total
draft in a final two passes is set to 30% or more, a finish rolling ending temperature
is set in a range from an An transformation temperature to 1 000°C, and a shape ratio
SR that is defined by Formula (3) is set to 3.5 or more;
a step of starting cooling of the steel plate within three seconds after finish
rolling ends, setting a cooling stopping temperature to 600°C or less, and setting an
average cooling rate until the cooling stopping temperature as 15°C per second or
more to thereby cool the steel plate, and making a total cumulative diffusion length
LtotaJ,that is defined by Formula (4), in a time period until coiling starts after the
temperature of the steel plate passes an An transformation temperature 0.15 ).Lm or
less; and
a step of coiling the steel plate after cooling at a coiling temperature of 600°C
or less;
[Ti]-48/14x[N]-48/32x[S] ~ 0% (1)
SRTmin = 10780/{5.13-log([Ti]x[C])}-273 (2)
SR = ld/hm (3)
Ltotal = I:~(D(T)~tL) (4)
-.Jd'-
where a content (mass%) of a corresponding element is substituted for each
symbol of an element in Formula (1) and Formula (2), and ld in Formula (3)
represents a length of an arc of contact between a rolling roll that performs a final
roiling reduction in the finish rolling and the steel plate, and is defined by the
following formula:
ld = v'(Lx(hin-hout)/2)
where L(mm) represents a diameter of the rolling roll, hin represents a plate
thickness (mm) of the steel plate at an entrance side of the rolling roll, and hout
represents a plate thickness (mm) of the steel plate at an exit side ofthe rolling roll,
and where hm is defined by the following formula:
hm = (hin+hout)/2
where ~tL in Formula (4) represents a time period until coiling starts after the
temperature of the steel plate passes the An transformation temperature, and is a
very small time period of 0.2 seconds, and D(T) represents a volume diffusion
coefficient ofTi at PC, and is defined by the following formula when a diffusion
coefficient of Ti is represented by DO, an activation energy is represented by Q, and a
gas constant is represented by R:
D(T) = DOxExp{-Q/R(T+273)}.
10. The method for producing a heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled blank
according to claim 9, wherein:
the slab contains one or more types of element selected from a group
consisting of:
Nb: 0.005 to 0.1 %,
Cu: 0.005 to 1%,
Ni: 0.005 to 1%,
Mo: 0.005 to 0.2%,
V: 0.005 to 0.2%,
Cr: 0.005 to 1%, and
W: 0.01 to 0.5%.
11. The method for producing a heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled blank
according to claim 9 or 10, wherein:
the slab contains one or more types of element selected from a group
consisting of:
Mg: 0.0005 to 0.005%,
Ca: 0.0005 to 0.005%, and
rare earth metal: 0.0005 to 0.1 %.
12. The method for producing a heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled blank
according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein:
the slab contains:
B: 0.0002 to 0.005%.
13. The method for producing a heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled blank
according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein:
the slab contains:
one or more types of element selected from a group consisting of Zr, Sn, Co
and Zn in a total amount of 0.005 to 0.05%.
14. A method for producing a tailored rolled blank using a heat-rolled steel plate
produced by a method for producing a heat-rolled steel plate for a tailored rolled
blank according to any one of claims 9 to 13, comprising:
a step of producing a cold-rolled steel plate by performing cold rolling on the
heat-rolled steel plate while changing a draft within a range of more than 5% to 50%
so that a plate thickness changes in a tapered shape in a longitudinal direction of the
heat-rolled steel plate, and
a step of performing a precipitation hardening heat treatment on the coldrolled
steel plate;
wherein:
in the precipitation hardening heat treatment, a highest heating temperature
T max is from 600 to 750°C,
tqa holding time period tK (sec) at 600°C or more satisfies Formula (5) with
respect to the highest heating temperature T max, and
a heat treatment index IN defined by Formula (6) is 16500 to 19500,
530-0.7xT max:$ tK :$ 3600-3.9xT max (5)
IN= (Tn+273)(log(tn13600)+20) (6)
where tn (sec) in Formula (6) is defined by Formula (7):
tn/3600 = I ox+~tiN/3600 (7)
where X= ((Tn-I+273)/(Tn+273))(log(tn-JI3600)+20)-20, t1 =~tiN, and ~tiN is
one second;
Tn (0 C) in Formula (6) is defined by Formula (8):
Tn = Tn-I+a~trN (8)
where a represents a rate of temperature increase or cooling rate CC/s) at the
temperature Tn-I.
15. The method for producing a tailored rolled blank according to claim 14,
further comprising:
a step of performing a galvanizing treatment before the step of heating the
slab, before the step of cooling the steel plate after finish rolling, before the step of
coiling the steel plate that is cooled, or after the step of performing a precipitation
hardening heat treatment.
16. The method for producing a tailored rolled blank according to claim 15,
further comprising:
a step of performing an alloying treatment at 450 to 600°C after performing
the galvanizing treatment.