Specification
[Title of the Invention] PLASTIC WORKING METHOD OF METALS AND
PLASTIC WORKING APPARATUS
[Technical Field of the Invention]
[OOOl]
The present invention relates to a plastic working method and a plastic
working apparatus, in which steel including austenite can be formed while suppressing
necking or breaking.
welated Art]
[0002]
Hitherto, various plastic working niethods capable of improving the
forniability of steel have been proposed. For example, in a plastic working method
disclosed in Patent Document 1, first, before the press-forniing of steel, steel is preheated
to anAC3 transformation point or higher, which is an austenite single phase
region of about 750°C to 1000°C, in a heating filmace or tlie like. This steel in the
austenite single phase state is press-formed and is quenched by being rapidly cooled
using heat transfer from the steel to a mold. As a result, a press-formed product with
high strength and has excellent dimensional accuracy is produced.
[0003]
In addition, in a plastic working method disclosed in Patent Document 2, steel
including austenite is drawn by heating a die of a mold while cooling a punch of the
mold. As a result, a part of steel which forms a flange after fonning is heated by heat
transfer fro111 the die so as to decrease defonnation resistance thereof, and the other
part of steel is cooled by heat transfer from the puncli so as to increase deforniation
resistance thereof, thereby enabling tlie steel to be drawn. Accordingly, the steel call
be drawn while preventing wrinkles and breaking.
[0004]
In addition, in a plastic working method disclosed in Patent Document 3, in a
metallographic structure of steel as a workpiece, a space factor of bauiitic ferrite and/or
granular bainitic ferrite as a pritnary phase is controlled to be 70% or more, and a
space factor of retained austenite as a secondary phase is controlled to be 5% to 30%,
and a C concentration in the retained austenite is controlled to be 1.0 mass% or more.
As a result, the total elongation value of the steel, which is 7% at room temperature, is
20% at 250°C, and thus formability at this temperature is improved.
[0005]
With these conventional tecbnologies of the related art, the formability of
steel including austenite is improved to some extent. However, currently, further
improvement of formability has been required because the shapes of components are
more complicated and the thicknesses thereof are more decreased.
[Prior Art Document]
patent Docun~ent]
[0006]
[Patent Document I] Japanese Unexamitied Patent Application, First
PublicationNo. 2005-177805
[Patent Document 21 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First
Publication No. 2007-111765
[Patent Document 31 Japanese ~nexamiiiedP atent Application, First
Publication No. 2004-190050
[Disclosure of the Invention]
[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
[0007] -~
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described
problems, and an object thereof is to provide a plastic working method and a plastic
working apparatus, in which, when steel including austenite is used as a workpiece,
necking or breaking can be suppressed and the formability of the steel can be improved.
[Means for Solving the Problem]
[OOOS]
The scope of the present invention is as follows.
(1) According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
plastic working method of a steel including austenite, the method including: physical
property analyzing process of ~neasuringT p, oLp, and oHp for each of strain ratios P,
when Tp represents a strain-induced-transformation-maxi- in
the unit of "C which is changed depending on the strain ratio p, oLp represents a
standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which depends on the
strain ratio P on a lower temperature side than To, and oHp represents a standard
deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which depends on the strain ratio
on a higher temperature side than Tp; deformation mode analyzing process of
analyzing a strain ratio px to be selected from among the strain ratios P, when the
strain ratio px is a strain ratio of an estimated breaking point w11ich is specified during
plastic deformation of the steel; heating process of heating such that a local
temperature TI,I is within a first temperature range indicated by the following
expression 1 after selecting Tpx fronl anlong the To, selecting oLps from among the oLp,
and selecting oHp, from anlong the oHD respectively, when the Tp, represents a straininduced-~
ansformation-maximum-ductility-temperatuirne t he unit of "C for the strain
ratio px, the oLpx represents a standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent
strain ~vl~icdehp ends on the strain ratio Px on a lower temperature side than To,, the
oHp, represents a standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain \vhich
depends on the strain ratio px on a higher temperature side than Tp,, and TI,,,I
represents a local temperature in the unit of "C of the estimated breaking point; and
working process of plastically deforming the steel after the heating:
Tp,-2x~Lpx~~,,~5Tp.2,+5x1o Hpx . . . (Expression 1).
(2) In plastic working method according to (I), in the deformation mode
analyzing process, a change in temperature ATl,d may be further analyzed, when the
AT!-I represents a change ~ItIe mperature in the unit of "C of the local temperature
TI,,[ which is changed during the plastic deformation of the steel; and in the heating
process, heating may be performed such that the local temperature TI,[ is within a
second temperature range indicated by the following expression 2:
Tpx-AT~,,~-2~~Lpx5T~OCa~<.r25pXxo-HApTx ~OC.a. . ~ +1 (Expression 2).
(3) In the plastic working method according to (1) or (2), in the heating
process, at least one of the steel, a mold, and a surrounding space around the steel may
be heated such that the local temperature TI,,^ is within the temperature range.
(4) In the plastic working method according to (1) or (2), in the heating
process, a heating medium may be heated such that the local temperature TI,,I is
within the temperature rage; aid in the ~vorkingp rocess, the steel may be plastically
deformed using the pressure of the heating medium.
(5) In the plastic working method according to any one of (1) to (4), in the
deformation mode analyzing process of analyzing the estimated breaking point, the
strain ratio px, and the change in temperatnre ATI,,~ may be analyzed wing a plastic
working sin~ulation.
(6) According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
plastic working apparatus which performs the plastic working method according to any
one of (1) to (3) and (5), tlie apparatus including: a housing unit that acconltnodates the
steel and a mold; a heating unit that heats at least one of the steel, tlie niold, and a
surrounding space around tlie steel; and a working unit that plastically deforms the
steel, wliich is heated by the heating unit, using the mold.
(7) The plastic working apparatus according to (6) may further include an
insulating member that is arranged to cover the housing unit.
(8) The plastic working apparatus according to (6) or (7) may further
include a temperature measuring unit tliat measures respective temperatures of the steel,
the mold, and an internal space of tlie housing unit.
(9) According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a plastic working apparatus which performs the plastic working method
according any one of (I), (2), (4), and (5), the apparatus including: a housing unit that
accomniodates the steel and a mold; a heating medium introducing unit tliat introduces
the heating medium into tlie niold; a heating unit that heats at least one of the steel, tlie
mold, a surrounding space around the steel and the heating medium; and a working
unit that plastically deforms the steel, which is heated by the heating unit, using a
pressure of the heating medium.
(10) Tlie plastic working apparatus according to (9) may further include an
insulating member tliat is arranged to cover the housing unit.
(1 1) The plastic working apparatus according to (9) or (10) may fi~rther
include a temperature measuring unit tliat measures respective te~nperatureso f the steel,
the niold, and an internal space of tlie housing unit, and tlie heating medium.
[Effects of the Invention]
[0009]
According to tlie above-described aspects of the present invention, steel
including austenite is plastically deformed in a temperature range including a strainit~
duced-hansfomation-maxin~um-ductility-tetnperatwurheic h corresponds to the
strain ratio of an estimated breaking point of the steel. Therefore, the transfor~nation
induced plasticity phenomenon exhibited in this steel can be utilized to the maximum.
As a result, it is possible to provide a plastic \\lorking method and a plastic working
apparatus, in which necking or breaking can be suppressed and formability can be
improved.
[Brief Description of the Drawing]
[OOl 01
FIG 1 is a schematic diagram showing tlie trausformatio~iln duced plasticity
phenomenon.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing uniaxial tension, plane strain tension,
and equal biaxial tension.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a temperature dependence of a critical equivalent
strain of low carbon steel at each strain ratio P.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a normal distribution fitted curve of the
temperature dependence of tlie critical equivalent strain when P=O in FIG. 3.
FIG 5 is a partially cutaway front view showing a scliematic configuration of
a plastic working apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway front view showing a schematic configuration of
a plastic working apparatns according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing forming by square cylinder drawing.
[Embodiments of the Invention]
[OOll]
Aplastic working method and a plastic working apparatus according to
embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the
present invention is not limited to the configurations of the following embodiments,
and various modifications can be made wvithin a range not departing from the scope of
the present invention.
[0012]
First, a plastic working method accordiug to an embodi~nenot f the present
invention will be described. In the plastic working method according to the
embodin~etits, teel including austenite is used as a ~vorkpiecea, nd the transformation
induced plasticity phenomenon exhibited in this steel is utilized to the maximum.
[0013]
Here, the transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) phenomenon will be
described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the TRIP phenornenon. As
sho\vn in FIG. 1, for example, when steel including austenite (TRIP steel) is tensely
deformed, necking occurs after the deformation progresses to some extent, Wllen
necking occurs, a stress applied to a neck increases. Due to this stress, stress induced
transformation (indicated by A in FIG. 1) in which retained austenite is transformed
into martensite occurs. Since martensite has a higher strength than other
microstructures, the neck is reinforced by the stress induced transfonnation co~npared
to other regions, and the deformation of the neck does not progress. As a result,
deformation in the vicinity regions of the neck, where has a relatively low strength,
progresses. Aphenomenon in ~vhichn ecking caused by stress induced transformation
and suppression of defomlation are repeated is referred to as the transfonnation
induced plasticity (TRIP) plienomenot~. As a result, the inside of a material is
unifor~nlyd efol-tned, and superior ductility is obtained.
[0014] -
However, the above-described TRP phenomenon depends on temperature.
Improvement of ductility by this TRIP phenomenon is obtained only in a specific
temperature range. 111 addition, a temperature (hereinafter referred to as "straininduced-
transformation-maxin~t~m-ductility-tetnperaturea"t) w hich maximum ductility
is obtained by the TRIP phenomenon (stress induced transformation) depends on a
chemical structure and a metallographic structure of TRIP steel. Further, as a result
of a thorough study, the present inventors found that this strain-inducedtransformation-~~~
axirnum-ductility-tehmaps a strain ratio P dependency (plastic
deformation mode dependency) in which a value thereof is changed by a strain ratio P
(plastic deforrnation mode) during plastic deformation.
[0015]
The strain ratio P described herein is expressed by, when biaxial strains in a
biaxial stress state are a maxin~unp~ri ncipal strain EI and a ~nit~in~purimnc ipal strain ~ 2 :
PZ EZ-.E I. In this expression, ~ 1 2 ~ 2I.n particularly, a state where P=-0.5 is referred to
as a uniaxial tension state, a state where P=O is referred to as a plane strain tension
state, and a state where P=1.0 is referred to as an equal biaxial tension state. FIG. 2 is
a schematic diagram showing uniaxial tension, plane strain tension, and equal biaxial
tension. As sho~vnin FIG. 2, uniaxial tension where P=-0.5 is a deformation mode
where steel is stretched in a 61 direction and is cotnpressed in a 62 direction in the FIG.
2, and this deformation mode corresponds to plastic working such as draw fonning.
Plane strain tension where P=O is a deforrnation mode where steel is stretched in the ~1
direction and is not deformed in the 62 direction in the FIG. 2, and this deformation
mode corresponds to plastic working such as bending. Equal biaxial tension where
fi=l.O is a deformation mode ~vheres teel is stretched in the 61 direction and is stretched
in the EZ direction in the FIG 2, and this deformation mode corresponds to plastic
working such as stretch forming.
[0016]
In order to effectively utilize the TRIP phenomenon to improve plastic
deformability, it is necessary that both factors be considered at the same time, the
factors including: the strain-induced-transformation-maximum-ductility-te~nperat~~re
which is a value unique to each type of steel; and the strain ratio I) (plastic deformation
mode) during plastic deformation which affects this strain-induced-transformationmaximum-
ductility-temperature. However, in the above-described conventional
technology of the related art, these factors are not considered. The strain-inducedtransfor~
nation-maximum-ductility-temper is a value which depends on the strain
ratio (3 and thus, hereinafter, will be represented by "Tp". For example, when the
strain ratio I) is -0.5, the strain-induced-transformation-1naximum-ducti1ity-temperature
thereof will be represented by T.0.5.
[0017]
FIG. 3 sliows the temperature dependence of a critical equivalent strain h.
c",ical at each strain ratio ~vhenlo w carbon steel is examined. In FIG. 3, a square-dot
line indicates the results of (3=-0.5, a triangle-two dot chain line indicates the results of
P=O, and a circle-solid line indicates the results of p=1.0. In addition, an equivalent
strain E, refers to a strain ~vhichis calculated from the following expression A when
biaxial strains in a biaxial stress state are a maximum principal strain and a
~nitiimunpi rincipal strain EZ. This equivalent strain E, refers to an equivalent
uniaxial stress-strain coniponent which is converted from a stress -strain component in
the multiaxial stress state. This equivalent strain &, is used to compare different
plastic defonnation modes, that is, to compare plastic deformability (ductility) at
different strain ratios P. The critical equivalent strain &q.critical refers to an equivalent
strain E, at which breaking occurs in steel as a workpiece.
&s={4+3x(~12+~22+I~n ~&~)) .. . (Expression A)
[OOlX]
As shown in FIG. 3, the values of the critical equivalent strain &q.,"li,,l
(ductility) increase in a specific temperature range. As described above, this
improvement of ductility is caused by tlle TRIP phenomenon. In this way, the
improvement of ductility by the TRIP phenomenon depends on temperature. For
exarnple, when e=-0.5, a strait~-induced-transfor~iiation-maxinium-ductili~-
temperature T.o.5 is 150°C, and the critical equivalent strain at this temperature is the
highest valne.
[0019]
In addition, FIG. 3 shows that the strain-induced-transformation-maxi~iiumductility-
temperature Tp is changed depending on the strain ratio 0. For example, as
described above, wlien P=-0.5, a strain-induced-trsuisformation-~~iaxiniu~n-ductilitytemperature
T.o.5 is 150°C, but, when P=O, a straia-indnced-transformation-maximumductility-
temperature TO is 200°C; and when P=1 .O, a strain-induced-transformationmaximum-
ductility-temperature T1.o is 250°C. In this way, the strain-inducedtransforination-
maximum-ductility-tempatwe Tp depends on the strain ratio P.
[0020]
In FIG. 4, the temperature dependence of the critical equivalent strain ~ e ~ - ~ ~ i ~ i ~ ~ when P=O in FIG. 3 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, and a fitted curve which is
plotted on the assumption that the temperature dependence follows a normal
distribution curve is indicated by a dot line. As described above, when the strain ratio
p is 0, a temperature at which the critical equivalent strain E,.,"~~,,I is improved to the
highest value due to the TRIP phenomenon is 200°C ~vhicliis the straiti-inducedtransformation-
maxin~um-ductility-temperaT o. However, as shown in FIG. 4, a
temperature at which the critical equivalent strain &,.,",i,l is improved has a specific
range. This temperature range in xvliich the critical equivalent strain ~ ~ . , , i , i , ~ li s
improved can be obtained from the fitted curve which is plotted on the assu~nptionth at
the temperature range follows the nonnal distribution curve indicated by the dot line in
FIG. 4.
[0021]
Amethod of obtaining the temperature range, in which the critical equivalent
strain is improved by the above-described TRIP phenomenon, from the fitted
curve (approximate function) will be described below. First, on the assumption that
the temperature dependence of the critical equivalent strain follows the nornial
distribution curve, the temperature dependence is approximated to a probability density
hnctiot~re presented by the following expressions B and C. Here, the following
expression B in which 0 represents the strain ratio expresses an approximate function
(fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which depends on tlie strain ratio P on a lower
temperature side than Tp) of the temperature dependence of the critical equivalent
strain %<"tical on a lower temperature side than the strain-induced-transformationmaximum-
ductility-temperature Tp at which the critical equivalent strain &qsritie.ll is
improved to the highest value. The following expression C in which 0 represents the
strain ratio expresses an approximate function (fitted curve of critical equivalent strain
Tvhich depends on tlie strain ratio P on a higher temperature side than Tp) of tlie
temperature dependence of the critical equivalent strain &q.critica~ on a higher
temperature side than the strain-induced-h.ansfomation-maxinium-d~~ctilitytetnperature
Tp at which the critical equivalent strain ~+,.,"~i,,l is improved to the
l~igl~evsatl ue. In the expressions B and C, the respective synlbols denote the
following:
&q.cri,icacl:r itical equivalent strain
T: tenlperahire
TD: strain-i1~duced-transformation-ma,~in~u1n-di~~ti1ity-temperat11re
OLDs: tandard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which
depends on the strain ratio 0 on a lower temperature side than Tp
013~s: tandard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain wvhich
depends on the strain ratio on a higher temperature side than Tp
e: nah~ralo garithm
n: circular constant
CI to C4: constant
(Expression B)
(Expression C)
[0022]
When the matliematical definition of the probability density function is taken
into consideration, the tetnperati~rer ange in which the critical equivalent strain ~ e q - ~ " ~ i ~ ~ l
is improved by the TRIP phenonlenon can be expressed using OLD and OHD described
above. That is, this temperature range can be expressed by, for example, (Tp-3xuLP)
to (TP+3xoHp), (Tp-2xoLP) to (TP+2xoHp), or (Tp-uLp) to (TP+oHp). Here, the range
of (Tp-3xuLp) to (Tp+3xuHp) mathematically represents an integrated value of the
probability density function being 0.9974, the range of (Tp-2x0Lp) to (TP+2xoHp)
mathematically represents an integrated value of the probability density function being
0.9544, and the range of (Tp-oL~t)o (Tp+oHp) n~atl~ematicalrlyep resents an integrated
value of the probability density function being 0.6826.
[0023]
In this way, the temperature range in which the critical equivalent strain &,
,,iti,l is improved by the TRIP pheno~nenonc an be expressed using oLg and oHp which
are the standard deviations of the fitted curve (fitted curve of critical equivalent strain)
which is plotted on the assu~nptionth at the temperature range follows the normal
distribution curve. The values of oLp and oHp depend on the strain ratio p.
Hereinafter, for example, when the strain ratio is 0, uLp and uHp will be represented
by oLo and oHo. When P=O, as sllowvn in FIG 4, the strain-induced-transformationmaximum-
ductility-temperature To is 200°C, and o h is 55°C and OHO is 19°C as a
result of analyzing the fitted curve. The analysis of the fitted curve for obtaining aLp
and uHp can be performed using a general data analysis and graph making application
or a spread sheet application having a general making function of graph.
[0024]
In FIG. 4, for example, the temperature range in which the critical equivalent
strain ~ e q . ~ "i~s ii~m~plro ved by the TRIP phenonlenon can be expressed as 35°C to
257°C in the case of ( T , J - ~ x oto~ ()T 0+3xaHo), 90°C to 238°C in the case of (TO-
2xoLo) to (To+2xoHo), 145°C to 219OC in the case of (TO-OLt~o) (To+oHo), or the like.
However, as a result of a thorough study on various steels and various strain ratios, the
present inventors found that, when (Tp-2xuLp) to (Tp+l.25xuHp) is adopted as the
temperature range, the temperature range in lv11ich the critical equivalent strait1 ~ ~ ~ . ~ ~ i is improved by the above-described TRIP phenomenon can be preferably expressed
without excess and deficiency. Accordingly, in the plastic working method according
to the embodiment, (To-2xoLp) to (TD+l.25xoHp)is adopted as the temperature range
in which the critical equivalent strain &q-,,itiot is improved by the above-described
TRIP phenotnenon. Otherwise, optionally, the lower limit of this temperature range
may be set as (Tp-1 .75xcrLp), (Tp-1.5xoLp), or (Tp-1.25xoLp). Likewise, the upper
limit of this temperature range may be set as (Tp+l.20xoHp), (Tp+l. 15xcrHp), or (Tb-
1.lOxoLp).
[0025]
When the strain ratio 0 is 0, and when the temperature range is set as (Tp-
2xoLo) to (Tp+1.25xoHo),t he temperature rat~geit1 ~vl~itchhe critical equivalent strain
h.ccitical is improved by the above-described TRIP pllenomenon is 90°C to 223.75OC.
That is, it can be seen that, in the case of low carbon steel, plastic working needs to be
performed in a temperature range of 90°C to 223.75'C.to itnprove plastic
defor~nabilityi n a plastic deformation mode where the strain ratio p is 0.
[0026]
It cat] be seen from above that the following plastic working method needs to
be adopted in order to fortn steel (TRIP steel) iucluding austenite as a workpiece while
suppressing necking or breaking to the maximum. This method may itlclude: (1)
previously measuring the strain-induced-transfomation-maximum-ductilitytemperature
Tp (OC) of steel, ~vllichis a workpiece, at each of strain ratios P, measuring
the standard deviation oLp of the fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which
depends on the strain ratio p on a lower temperature side than Tpas the standard ofTp,
aud measuring the standard deviation oHp of the fitted curve of critical equivalent
strain wl~icldi epends on the strain ratio (1 on a higher temperature side than Tp as the
standard of Tp; (2) previously specifying a plastic defonnation rnode of a local region
of the steel where necking or breaking is tilost likely to occur during forming, that is,
specifying a strain ratio px of this local region; (3) controlling the temperature of the
local region to be within a temperature range (Tpx-2xoLp,) to (Tpx+l.25xoHp,) suitable
for the strain ratio Ox; and (4) plastic working of the steel is performed under
conditions where the temperature of the local region is within this tetnperature range.
In this range, (1x represents the strain ratio (1 being x (P=x); Tpx represents a straininduced-
transfom~ation-~naxin~t~t~~-dnctility-tetnpwerhaetnn trhee strain ratio (1 is x;
oLpy represents a standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which
depends on the strain ratio px on a lower temperature side than Tp, as the standard of
Tp.; and oHp, represents a standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent
strain which depends on the strain ratio px on a higher temperature side than Tp, as the
standard ofTp,. Tp,, oLps, and oHpx are previously measured for each of the strain
ratios and are included in Tp, oLp, and oHp. Accordingly, methods of measuring
and analyzing Tpx, oLpx, and oHpx are tlle sane as those of Tp, oL6, and oHp.
[0027]
Specifically, in the plastic working tnethod according to the embodiment, steel
including austenite is used as a workpiece, the method including: a physical property
analyzing process of measuring Tp, oLp, and oHp for each of strain ratios p, when Tp
represents a strain-induced-transfort~~ation-maximun~-d~ctii-temperoaf tthree steel
in the unit of "C ~ v l ~ iisc clh~a nged depending on the strain ratio (1, oLp represents a
standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which depends on the
strain ratio p on a lower temperature side than Tp, and oHp represents a standard
deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain wl~icdl~ep ends on the strain ratio
p on a higher temperature side than Tp; a defor~nationm ode analyzing process of
analyzing a strain ratio px to be selected from among tlie strain ratios p, when tlie
strain ratio px is a strain ratio of an estimated breaking point which is specified during
plastic deformation of the steel; a heating process of heating a steel such that a local
tenlperature TI,,I is within a first temperature range indicated by tlie follo~ving
expression D after selecting the To, froni among the Tp, selecting the oLpx from among
the oLp, and selecting the oHp, from among the oHp respectively , when Tax represents
a strain-induced-transformation-maxi~~~u~n-ductility-te~npoerf athteur set eel in the unit
of "C for the strain ratio px, ohx represents a standard deviation of a fitted curve of
critical equivalent strain which depends on the strain ratio px on a lower temperature
side than Tps, oHp, represents the standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical
equivalent strain which depends on the strain ratio px on a higher temperature side than
To,, and TI,,I represents a local tenlperature in the unit of "C of the estimated breaking
point; and a working process of plastically defonning the steel after the heating process.
T b , - 2 x o L ~ x ~ ~ , , ~ ~.2b5sxo+1l3 px .. . (Expression D).
[0028]
In the physical property analyzing process, the strain-induced-transfon~iationmaximum-
ductility-temperature of the steel in the unit of "C used as the workpiece at
each of the strain ratios 0 is measured. Ametl~odo f measuring the strain-inducedtransformation-
maximum-ductility-teniperature Tp is not particularly limited. For
example, a spherical stretch forming test in which an end of a test piece is fixed while
changing the horizontal and vertical dimension of the test piece may be performed at
each temperature. The temperature at which the critical equivalent strain
(ductility) is improved to the highest value is set as the strain-induced-transformationmaxitnurn-
ductility-temperature Tp at the strain ratio p thereof. Next, for each of tlie
steel ratios, the standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain wl~ich
depends on the strain ratio B on a lower temperature side that1 Tg and the standard
deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which depends on the strain ratio
(3 on a higher temperature side than To are obtained from the above-described fitted
curve analysis.
[0029]
In the deformation mode analyzing process, when the steel is plastically
deformed, a local region (estimated breaking point) of the steel where neckiug or
breaking is most likely to occur is specified, and a strain ratio (3x is specified as a
plastic deformation mode of the local region. This strain ratio Bx is selected from
among the strain ratios measured in the physical property analyzing process. A
method of measuring the estimated breaking point and the strain ratio px thereof is not
particularly limited. For example, a scribed circle test may be performed. The
scribed circle test is a method including: depicting a circular pattern or a lattice pattern
on a surface of a workpiece before working; specifying a local region (estimated
breaking point) where necking or breakiug is likely to occur due to plastic
deformation; and measuring the pattern shape of this local region in order to specify a
plastic deformation mode (strain ratio Bx) of the local region. Based on the results of
the scribed circle test, the plastic deformation mode of the local region can be
classified as uniaxial tension (P=-0.5), a drawing region (-0.5
- a,
9- m n
L E(D
m m
Q X
EW
0
0
Example
1
Example
2
Example
3
Example
4
Example
5
Austen i te
Fraction/%
100
17.
12
4,
Properties of Workp iece
Optimum Temperature
Optimum Temperature Tg Of
Stress Induced Transformation
Optimum Temperature Tp Of Stress
Induced Transformat ion ?C)
2 x a Lp (OC)
1.25xaHg ('C)
Optimum Temperature Tp Of Stress
Induced Transformation PC)
2 x a Lp (OC)
1.25~a Hp (OC)
Optimum Temperature Tp Of Stress
Induced Transformat ion ("C)
2 x a Lp ("C)
1.25a~H g ("C)
.Optimum Temperature Tp Of Stress
Induced Transformation ("C)
2 x a Lp (OC)
1.25xaHp ("C)
Optimum Temperature Tp Of Stress
Induced Transformat ion ("C)
2 x a Lp ("C)
1.25~a Hp ("C)
Tp Of Stress Induced Transformation
B =-0.5
75
90
75
50
90
76
150
110
69
175
62
62
60
150
Strain
B =O
100
100
44
75
140
68
200
110
24
225
160
25
25
30
114
fi =-0.25
100
130
58
50
160
88
175
106
56
200
120
38
25
40
114
Ratio ,B
B =0.25
125
140
50
100
100
64
225
140
38
225
140
25
50
30
100
B =O. 5
125
130
64
125
150
44
225
160
38
250
180
19
75
50
75
B -1.0
150
86
38
150
100
50
250
150
19
250
120
19
100
90
38
Table 3
Local Temperature
Tlocal of Estimated
[Document Type] CLAIMS -
[Claim 11
A plastic working method of steel including austenite, the method comprising:
physical property analyzing process of tneasuring Tp, oLp, and oHs for each of
strain ratios (3, when Tp represents a strain-induced-transfonnation-maximum-ductilitytemperature
in the unit of "C which is changed depending on the strain ratio P, oLp
represents a standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalerit strain which
depends on the strain ratio (3 on a lower temperature side than the Tp, oHp represents a
standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain \vl~iclid epends on the
strain ratio a on a higher temperature side than the Tp;
deformation mode analyzing process of analyzing a strain ratio (3x to be
selected from among the strain ratios (3, when the strain ratio ax is a strain ratio of a11
estimated breaking point which is specified during plastic deformation of the steel;
heating process of heating the steel such that a local temperature TI,,^ is
within a first temperature range indicated by the following expression 1 after selecting
Tgx fiom among the Tp, selecting oLps from among the oLp, and selecting oHp, fiom
among the oHD, when Tp, represents a strain-induced-transformation-maximutnductility-
temperature in the unit of "C for the strain ratio px, oLp, represents a standard
deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain wvhicli depends on the strain ratio
ax on a lower temperature side than the Ts,, oHgx represents a standard deviation of a
fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which depends on the strain ratio px on a
higher temperature side than the Tp,, and the T~,,I represents a local temperature ("C)
of the estimated breaking point; and
working process of plastically defortning the steel after the heating:
Tpx-2xoLpx3~,,~3p,+.215 x(sHpX. . . (Expression 1).
[Claim 21
The plastic working method according to Claim 1,
wherein in the defortnation mode analyzing process, a change in temperature
ATl,, is filrther analyzed, when theATl,,~ represents a change in temperature in the
unit of "C of the local temperature TI,,,I which is changed during the plastic
deformation of the steel in the wvorking process, and
wherein in the heating process, heating is performed such that the local
temperature TI,^ is within a second temperature range indicated by the folloxving
expression 2:
Tp,-ATl,,~-2x~Lg.5Tl,a~~p,-AT~1. ~2+5x oHp, .. . (Expression 2).
[Claim 31
The plastic working nlethod according to Claim 1,
wherein in the heating process, at least one of the steel, a mold, and a
surrounding space around the steel is heated such that the local temperature TI,^ is
within the first temperature rage.
[Claim 4)
The plastic working method according to Claim 1,
wherein in the heating process, a heating medium is heated suc11 that the local
temperature TI,,^ is within the first temperature range, and
wherein in the working process, the steel is plastically defonned using a
pressure of the heating medium.
[Claim 51
The plastic working method according to Claim 2,
wherein in the physical property analyzing process, the estimated breaking
point, the strain ratio px, and the change in temperature ATI,,I are analyzed using a
plastic working simulation.
[Claim 61
Aplastic working apparatus which performs the plastic working method
according to Claim 1, the apparatus comprising:
a housing unit that accommodates the steel and a mold;
a heating unit that heats at least one of the steel, the mold, and a surroundir~g
space around the steel; and
a working unit that plastically deforms the steel, which is heated by the
heating unit, using the mold.
[Claim 71
The plastic working apparatus according to Claim 6, further comprising
an insulating member that is arranged to cover the housing unit.
[Claim 81
The plastic working apparatus according to Claim 6, further comprising
a temperature measuring unit that measures respective temperatures of the
steel, the mold, and an internal space of the housing unit.
[Claim 91
A plastic working apparatus which performs the plastic working method
according to Claim 4;-the apparatus comprising:
a housing unit that accommodates the steel and a mold;
a heating medium introducing unit that introduces the heating medium into
the mold;
a heating unit that heats at least one of the steel, the mold, and the surrounding
space around the steel and the heating medium; and
a working unit that plastically deforms the steel, which is heated by the
heating unit, using a pressi~reo f the heating medium.
,
[Claim 101
The working apparatus according.to Claim 9, further comprising
an insulating member that is arranged to cover the housing unit.
[Claim 111
The plastic working apparatus according to Claim 9, further comprising
.\ a temperature measnring unit that measures respective temperatures of the
steel, the mold, an internal space of the housing unit, and the heating medium.