Design of heat treatment processes for a tailored set of properties on 22MnB5 steel alloy sheets - simulation and experiments

The present work deals with the performance of heat treatments based on the heat transfer between tool and blank as well as on the microstructural development occurred on 22MnB5 steel sheet alloy. Simulations of the heat treatments were carried out using the finite element software package LS-DYNA considering experimentally determined input parameters. Experimental trials were performed with a flat tool integrated in a press. The effects of heat treatment and tool temperature on the resulting mechanical properties and phase constitution of the heat treated sheets were determined. The possibility to integrate such heat treatments in the available press hardening process was discussed.