Ultra High Strength Steel-Sandwich
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Gestamp HardTech Aktiebolag |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 4 070 000 |
| Project duration | October 2013 - June 2016 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | FFI - Sustainable Production |
| Call | 2013-01489-en |
| End-of-project report | 2013-02635_SR_UHSS-S_en.pdf (pdf, 7187 kB) |
Important results from the project
The goal is to lower the weight on automotive parts by using laminate blanks with a core that makes the weight lower compared with using a conventional sheet. The project has been aimed specially to the use of a sintered core and to form the blank with the press hardening process. Test parts has gone through all manufacturing steps followed by a deformation test. A method for doing laminate simulations for deformation tests has also been developed.
Expected long term effects
The results indicates that a press hardened part could be used in a case when stiffness is of importance and the deformation is small. At a higher degree of deformation for example in parts used for crash and energy absorption more research is needed to find a better way to bond the outer sheets to the core. Both the strength and the ductility for the core also needs to be improved to be able to use this in energy absorption parts.
Approach and implementation
The project has been divided into 5 different parts. 1. Sintering of the core. A number of different alloys has been tested for strength and ductility. 2. Bonding between core and outer sheets. Suitable brazing foil has been tested in the aspect of strength and the affect of different parameters in the press hardening process. 3. Press hardening of the laminate blank. Tests has been done with conventional press hardening equipment. 4. Performance tests. Strength and ductility on manufactured part. 5. Simulation. Method for modelling laminate in deformation.