Steels for deep drawing: manufacture, characterization, microstructure and textures

Abstract

The knowledge of the characteristics of formability of steel sheets is of high technological interest in the deep drawing industry. In this paper we show how steel sheets are evaluated for their formability through various parameters of their mechanical properties, and how they are related to their manufacture at the steel plant. During this process the knowledge of the different metallurgical phenomena in the various steps allow the correct control of the cristalographical textures, which finally permit the development of good normal and planar anisotropy indexes. Industrial examples show the relationship between the operative parameters and the obtained results, illustrated not only through the values of the anisotropy indexes but also through the obtained textures. The characterization of the product through the forming limit curves permits to evaluate different product designs and the use of different types of steels for their manufacture. An example of a polishing machine cover is shown.