CA2829327C

CA2829327C - Steel sheet for hot stamped member and method of production of same

Info

Publication number: CA2829327C
Application number: CA2829327A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Hiroyuki Tanahashi; Jun Maki
Original assignee: Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corp
Current assignee: Nippon Steel Corp
Priority date: 2011-03-18
Filing date: 2012-03-16
Publication date: 2017-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-16
Also published as: CN103443317A; JPWO2012128225A1; JP5605503B2; ZA201307377B; RU2013146540A; RU2560890C2; US20140004378A1; KR20130126714A; WO2012128225A1; MX360240B; BR112013023792A2; EP2687620A1; MX2013010601A; CA2829327A1; EP2687620A4

Abstract

Steel sheet for a hot stamped member which includes composition which contains, by mass%, C: 0.15 to 0.35%, Si: 0.01 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.3 to 2.3%, Al: 0.01 to 0.5%, and a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, and limit the impurities to P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.02% or less, and N:
0.1% or less, wherein that a standard error of Vicker's hardness at a position of 20 µm from the steel sheet surface in the sheet thickness direction is 20 or less.
This steel sheet is produced by a recrystallization-annealing step of a first stage of heating a cold rolledsteel sheet, which is obtained by hot rolling steel containing the above composition and then cold rolling it, by an average heating rate of 8 to 25°C/sec from room emperature to 600 to 700°C, then a second stage of heating by an average heating rate of 2.5 to 7°C/sec to 720 to 820°C.

Description

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DESCRIPTION
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Title of Invention: Steel Sheet for Hot Stamped Member and Method of Production of Same Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to steel sheet for a hot stamped member which is suitable for the hot stamping method, one of the shaping methods giving a high strength member, and a method of production of the same.
Background Art

[0002] In the field of automobiles, construction machinery, etc., vigorous efforts are being made to reduce weight by use of high strength materials. For example, in automobiles, the amount of use of high strength steel sheet has been steadily increasing for the purpose of cancelling out the increase in vehicle weight accompanying the improvements in impact safety and performance and furthermore improving fuel efficiency to reduce the amount of emission of carbon dioxide.

[0003] In the trend toward expanded use of such high strength steel sheet, the biggest problem, unavoidable when raising the strength of steel sheet, is the rise of the phenomenon called "degradation of the shape fixability". This phenomenon is the general term for loss of ease of obtaining a target shape due to the increase in the amount of springback after shaping accompanying higher strength. To solve this problem, working steps which were unnecessary with low strength materials (materials with shape fixabilities which are excellent or not a problem) (for example, restriking) have been performed or the product shapes have been changed.

[0004] As one method for dealing with this situation, the hot shaping method called the "hot stamping method"
has come under attention. This heats a steel sheet (worked material) to a predetermined temperature (generally, the temperature resulting in an austenite = phase) to lower the strength (that is, facilitate shaping), then shapes it by a die of a lower temperature than the worked material (for example room temperature) to thereby easily impart a shape and simultaneously utilize the temperature between the two for rapid cooling heat treatment (quenching) so as to secure the strength of the shaped product.

[0005] Several arts relating to steel sheet suitable for such a hot stamping method and method of shaping the same have been reported.

[0006] PLT 1 shows steel sheet obtained by controlling the amounts of elements which the steel sheet contains and the relationship among the amounts of the elements to predetermined ranges so as to give a member which is excellent in impart characteristics and delayed fracture characteristic after hot shaping (synonymous with hot stamping).

[0007] PLT 2, in the same way as the above, discloses a method comprising making the amounts of elements which the steel sheet contains and the relationship among the amounts of the elements to predetermined ranges and heating before shaping the steel sheet in a nitriding atmosphere or a carburizing atmosphere so as to obtain a high strength part.

[0008] PLT 3 describes means for prescribing the composition and microstructure of steel sheet and limiting the heating conditions and shaping conditions so as to obtain hot pressed parts with a high productivity.

[0009] Recently, the hot stamping method has become widely recognized for its usefulness. Members for which its application has been studied have become much more diverse. Among these, for example, there are parts, such as underbody parts of automobiles, where not only the strength of the parts, but also the fatigue characteristic is an important, necessary characteristic.

[0010] The fatigue characteristic of steel sheet is improved together with the static strength, so steel =
sheet (product) made high in strength by the hot stamping =
method also can be expected to exhibit a commensurate fatigue characteristic, if compared with steel sheet of the same strength not using the hot stamping method (high strength steel sheet produced by controlling the composition or method of production of the strength steel sheet, below, called "ordinary high strength steel sheet"), it became clear that depending on the production conditions, the fatigue characteristics of the former were inferior to the latter.

[0011] Studied in detail, it was discovered that compared with the deviation in hardness of the surfacemost part of "ordinary high strength steel sheet", the deviation in hardness of the surfacemost part of steel sheet (product) raised in strength by using the hot stamping method is larger. It was concluded that this deviation in hardness might be related to the fatigue characteristic.

[0012] The relationship between the deviation in hardness and the fatigue characteristic is not necessarily clear, but in a high strength member which is produced by the hot stamping method (for example, a tensile strength of 1500 MPa or more), the effect of the notch sensitivity on the fatigue characteristic is extremely large, so it is guessed that this deviation in hardness might be an indicator comparable to the flatness of a surface layer.

[0013] Therefore, the inventors studied the art for reducing as much as possible the deviation in hardness after hot stamping and as a result discovered that the deviation in surface layer hardness of the steel sheet before hot stamping has an impact. No literature has been found which studies steel sheet for hot stamping use from such a perspective.

[0014] PLT 1 discusses steel sheet for hot shaping use where all of Ni, Cu, and Sri are essential, wherein the impact characteristics and the delayed fracture *
, characteristic are improved, but does not allude to the fatigue characteristic or the deviation in surface layer hardness before hot stamping.

[0015] PLT 2 relates to the art of heating in a carburizing atmosphere so as to raise the strength of a shaped part, but does not allude to the fatigue characteristic or the deviation in surface layer hardness before hot stamping. Heating in a carburizing atmosphere is essential. Compared with heating in the air, the production costs rise. Further, when using carbon monoxide as the source of carbon, there is a concern that tremendous costs would be required for securing the safety of operations. It is believed that this art is not easily workable.

[0016] PLT 3 also does not allude to the fatigue characteristic and the deviation in surface layer hardness before hot stamping.

[0017] As opposed to this, as art for obtaining steel sheet for hot stamping use which has a fatigue characteristic of the same extent as "ordinary high strength steel sheet", there is PLT 4. Further, while as art inherent to the case of use of steel sheet which has been galvanized, PLT 5 is known as art for improving the fatigue characteristic of a member which is produced by the hot stamping method.

[0018] PLT 4 discloses to make fine particles which contain Ce oxides disperse slight inward from the steel sheet surface so as to improve the fatigue characteristic after hot stamping, but advanced steelmaking art is required, so there is the problem that even a person skilled in the art would not necessarily find it easy to work it.

[0019] The art of PLT 5 relates to facilities for hot stamping technology. There is the problem that without new capital investment, even a person skilled in the art could not enjoy its benefits.
In this way, steel sheet for hot stamping use for =
obtaining steel sheet (product) made high in strength by hot stamping, which enables fatigue characteristics of the same extent as "ordinary high strength steel sheet"
of the same strength to be secured relatively easily, has been sought, but no art which solves this problem has been found.
Citations List Patent Literature

[0020] PLT 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-PLT 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-200670A
PLT 3: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-205477A
PLT 4: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-247001A
PLT 5: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-182608A
Summary of Invention Technical Problem

[0021] The present invention, in view of the above situation, has as its object the provision of steel sheet for a hot stamped member which enables the production of a product of high strength steel sheet which has an excellent fatigue characteristic of the same extent as high strength steel sheet which is produced by controlling the composition of the steel sheet or method of production ("ordinary high strength steel sheet") when producing a product by applying the hot stamping method to steel sheet and of a method of production of the same.
Solution to Problem

[0022] The inventors engaged in intensive research to solve this problem. As a result, they discovered that making the deviation in hardness near the surface layer of steel sheet before hot stamping within a predetermined range is extremely effective for improving the fatigue characteristic of the steel sheet after hot stamping (product). They discovered that such steel sheet can be obtained by controlling the conditions when recrystallization-annealing the cold rolled steel sheet, conducted repeated tests, and thereby completed the present invention.

[0023] The gist of the invention is as follows:

[0024] (1) Steel sheet for a hot stamped member which includes composition which contains, by mass%, C: 0.15 to 0.35%, Si: 0.01 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.3 to 2.3%, Al: 0.01 to 0.5%, and a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, and limit the impurities to P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.02% or less, and N: 0.1% or less, wherein a standard deviation of Vicker's hardness at a position of 20 m from the steel sheet surface in the sheet thickness direction is 20 or less.

[0025] (2) The steel sheet for a hot stamped member as set forth in (1) which further contains, by mass%, one or more of elements selected from Cr: 0.01 to 2.0%, Ti: 0.001 to 0.5%, Nb: 0.001 to 0.5%
B: 0.0005 to 0.01%, Mo: 0.01 to 1.0%
W: 0.01 to 0.5%, V: 0.01 to 0.5%, Cu: 0.01 to 1.0%, and Ni: 0.01 to 5.0%.

[0026] (3) The steel sheet for a hot stamped member as set forth in (1) or (2) which further has on the surface of the steel sheet one of a 5 pm to 50 pm thick Al plating layer, a 5 pm to 30 m thick galvanized layer, or a 5 m to 45 m thick Zn-Fe alloy layer.

[0027] (4) A method of production of steel sheet for a hot stamped member comprising recrystallization-annealing cold rolled steel sheet which includes composition which contains, by mass%, C: 0.15 to 0.35%, Si: 0.01 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.3 to 2.3%, Al: 0.01 to 0.5%, and a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, and limit the impurities to P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.02% or less, and N: 0.1% or less, in which step, including a first stage of heating by an average heating rate of 8 to 25 C/sec from room temperature to a temperature M ( C) and then a second stage of heating by an average heating rate of 2.5 to 7 C/sec to a temperature S ( C), wherein the temperature M ( C) is 600 to 700 ( C) and the temperature S ( C) is 720 to 820 ( C).

[0028] (5) The method of production of steel sheet for a hot stamped member as set forth in (4) wherein the steel further contains, by mass%, one or more of Cr: 0.01 to 2.0%, Ti: 0.001 to 0.5%, Nb: 0.001 to 0.5%
B: 0.0005 to 0.01%, Mo: 0.01 to 1.0%
W: 0.01 to 0.5%, V: 0.01 to 0.5%, Cu: 0.01 to 1.0%, and Ni: 0.01 to 5.0%.

[0029] (6) The method of production of steel sheet for a hot stamped member as set forth in (4) or (5) wherein a hot rolling rate in the hot rolling step is 60 to 90%, while a cold rolling rate of the cold rolling step is 30 to 90%.

[0030] (7) The method of production of steel sheet for =

a hot stamped member as set forth in any one of (4) to (6) which further includes, after the recrystallization-annealing step, a step of dipping the steel sheet in an Al bath to form an Al plating layer on the surface.

[0031] (8) The method of production of steel sheet for a hot stamped member as set forth in any one of (4) to (6) which further includes, after the recrystallization-annealing step, a step of dipping the steel sheet in a galvanization bath to form a galvanized layer on the surface.

[0032] (9) The method of production of steel sheet for a hot stamped member as set forth in any one of (4) to (6) which further includes, after the recrystallization-annealing step, a step of dipping the steel sheet in a Zn bath to form a galvanized layer on the surface, then further heating to 600 C or less to form a Zn-Fe alloy layer on the surface.
Advantageous Effects of Invention [0032a] According to an aspect, the invetion relates to a method of production of steel sheet for a hot stamped member having a standard deviation of Vicker's hardness of 13 or less at a position of 20 pm from the steel sheet surface in the sheet thickness direction, the method comprising recrystallization-annealing of a cold rolled steel sheet containing, by mass%, C: 0.15 to 0.35%, Si: 0.01 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.3 to 2.3%, Al: 0.01 to 0.5%, and a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, and limit the impurities to P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.02%
or less, and N: 0.1% or less, in which step, including a first stage of heating by an average heating rate of 15 to 25 C/sec from room temperature to a temperature M
( C) and then a second stage of heating by an average heating rate of 1 to 7 C/sec to a temperature S ( C), wherein the temperature M ( C) is 600 to 650 ( C) and the temperature S ( C) is 720 to 820 ( C).

- 8a -

[0033] The steel sheet for a hot stamped member of the present invention can be produced by a known steelmaking facility. Further, a shaped part which is obtained using the steel sheet for a hot stamped member of the present invention for shaping by widespread hot stamping facilities (hot stamped members) has a fatigue characteristic equal to "ordinary high strength steel sheet" of the same strength, so has the effect of expanding the scope of application of hot stamped members (parts).
Brief Description of Invention

[0034] FIG. 1 is perspective view which shows a sheet press die for hot stamping which is used for the examples of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view which shows fatigue test pieces.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view which shows locations of measurement of hardness in a test piece for hardness measurement use of the same dimensions as the crack growth region of the fatigue test piece which is shown in

35 -. FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a graph which shows the correlation between the fatigue limit ratio and standard deviation of hardness before hot stamping of steel sheet for a hot stamped member of Example 1.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view which schematically shows steel sheet (member) which is formed into a hat shape by the hot stamping method.
FIG. 6 is a graph which shows the correlation between the fatigue limit ratio and standard deviation of hardness before hot stamping of steel sheet for a hot stamped member of Example 2.
Description of Embodiments [0035] The inventors engaged in research using steel sheet which contains, by mass%, C: 0.23%, Si: 0.5%, and Mn: 1.6% to prepare a hot stamped member and evaluated its characteristics. They discovered that the fatigue characteristic is one of the same but that there are hot stamped members which are the same in composition of the steel sheet and almost the same in tensile strength, but differ in fatigue characteristic. Therefore, they investigated the differences of these in detail, whereupon they learned that there are differences in the deviation in hardness near the surface layers of hot stamped members. Accordingly, they further changed the composition and recrystallization conditions of cold rolled steel sheet over a broad range to investigate the fatigue characteristic of hot stamped members and discovered that there is a strong correlation between the fatigue characteristic of hot stamped members and the deviation in surface hardness of the same and that to obtain a hot stamped member which is excellent in fatigue characteristic, it is effective to make the various in surface hardness of steel sheet before hot stamping within a predetermined range and that further to obtain such steel sheet, it is possible to control the conditions when recrystallization-annealing cold rolled = steel sheet to a predetermined range.

[0036] Details will be explained in the examples, but the inventors used these test findings as the basis to experimentally clarify the suitable range of deviation in hardness and the annealing conditions and thereby completed the present invention.

[0037] Composition of Steel Sheet First, the composition of steel sheet will be explained.
Here, the "%" in the composition mean mass%.

[0038] C: 0.15 to 0.35%
C is the most important element in increasing the strength of steel sheet by hot stamping. To obtain a 1200 MPa or so strength after hot stamping, 0.15% or more has to be included. On the other hand, if over 0.35% is included, deterioration of toughness is a concern, so 0.35% is made the upper limit.

[0039] Si: 0.01 to 1.0%
Si is a solution strengthening element. Up to 1.0% can be effectively utilized. However, if more than that is included, trouble is liable to occur at the time of chemical treatment or coating after shaping, so 1.0% is made the upper limit. The lower limit is not particularly limited. The effect of the present invention can be obtained. However, reduction more than necessary just raises the steelmaking load, so the content is made the level of inclusion due to deoxidation, that is, 0.01% or more.

[0040] Mn: 0.3 to 2.3%
Mn is an element which functions as a solution strengthening element in the same way as Si and also is effective for raising the hardenability of steel sheet.
This effect is recognized at 0.3% or more. However, even if over 2.3% is included, the effect becomes saturated, so 2.0% is made the upper limit.

[0041] P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.02% or less The two elements are both unavoidable impurities. They affect the hot workability, so have to be limited to the = above ranges.

[0042] Al: 0.01 to 0.5%
Al is suitable as a deoxidizing element, so 0.01% or more should be included. However, if included in a large amount, coarse oxides are formed and the mechanical properties of the steel sheet are impaired, so the upper limit is made 0.5%.

[0043] N: 0.1% or less N is an unavoidable impurity. It easily bonds with Ti or B, so has to be controlled so as not to reduce the targeted effect of these elements. 0.1% or less is allowable. The content is preferably 0.01% or less. On the other hand, reduction more than necessary places a massive load on the production process, so 0.0010% should be made the target for the lower limit.

[0044] Cr: 0.01 to 2.0%
Cr has the effect of raising the hardenability, so can be suitably used. This effect becomes clear at 0.01% or more. On the other hand, even if over 2.0% is added, this effect becomes saturated, so 2.0% is made the upper limit.

[0045] Ti: 0.001 to 0.5%
Ti is an element which acts to stably draw out the effect of B, explained later, through the formation of its nitride, so can be effectively used. For this reason, 0.001% or more has to be added, but if excessively added, the nitrides become excessive and deterioration in toughness or shear surface properties is invited, so 0.5%
is made the upper limit.

[0046] Nb: 0.001 to 0.5%
Nb is an element which forms carbonitrides and raises the strength, so can be effectively used. This effect is recognized at 0.001% or more, but if over 0.5% is included, the controllability of the hot rolling is liable to be impaired, so 0.5% is made the upper limit.

[0047] B: 0.0005 to 0.01%
B is an element which raises the hardenability. The = effect becomes clear at 0.0005% or more. On the other hand, excessive addition leads to deterioration of hot workability and a drop in the ductility, so 0.01% is made the upper limit.

[0048] Mo: 0.01 to 1.0%, W: 0.01 to 0.5%, V: 0.01 to 0.5%
These elements all have the effect of raising the hardenability, so can be suitably used. The effect becomes clear in each case at 0.01% or more. On the other hand, it is an expensive element, so the concentration where the effect becomes saturated is preferably made the upper limit. For Mo, this is 1.0%, while for W and V, it is 0.5%.

[0049] Cu: 0.01 to 1.0%
Cu has the effect of raising the strength of the steel sheet by addition of Cu in 0.01% or more. However, excessive addition detracts from the surface quality of the hot rolled steel sheet, so 1.0% is made the upper limit.

[0050] Ni: 0.01 to 5.0%
Ni is an element which has the effect of raising the hardenability, so can be effectively used. The effect becomes clear at 0.01% or more. On the other hand, it is an expensive element, so 5.0% where the effect becomes saturated is made the upper limit. Further, it also acts to suppress the drop in the surface quality of the hot rolled steel sheet due to Cu, so inclusion simultaneously with Cu is desirable.

[0051] Note that in the present invention, the composition other than the above consist of Fe, but unavoidable impurities which enter from the scrap and other melting materials or the refractories etc. are allowed.

[0052] Deviations in Steel Sheet Surface Hardness The deviations in steel sheet surface hardness will be explained.

[0053] First, the method of determining (measuring) .
= the hardness of the steel sheet surface will be explained.

[0054] The hardness of the steel sheet surface ideally should be measured by a hardness meter (for example Vicker's hardness meter) with the steel sheet surface facing upward and with the sheet thickness direction matched with the vertical direction, but to clearly determine indentations (measure dimensions of indentations precisely), the surface (measurement surface) has to be polished or other certain work is necessary. In such work (for example, mechanical polishing), at least several dozen gm or so are removed from the original surface. Further, even if removing part of the surface using an acid etc. to chemically polish it, there is no difference. Rather, the smoothness is often degraded. Therefore, using such a technique to determine (measure) the hardness of the steel sheet surface is not practical.

[0055] Therefore, the inventors decided to determine the hardness at a cross-section parallel to the sheet thickness direction of the steel sheet. By doing so, the steel sheet surface can be measured without working it (without removing the steel sheet surface). However, in this case as well, the position able to be measured by a hardness meter in this way is inside from the surface a slight amount in the sheet thickness direction. For this reason, as a next best solution, the inventors attempted to obtain information on a portion close to the surface by making an indentation by as low a load as possible.

[0056] Specifically, refer to FIG. 3. First, the measurement surface (steel sheet cross-section) was polished to a mirror finish. A Vicker's hardness meter was used with a test load (load pushing in indenter) of 10 gf, a pushing time of 15 seconds, and a measurement position in the sheet thickness direction of 20 gm from the steel sheet surface. The "hardness of the steel sheet" as used in the Description indicates the hardness -determined based on the above technique.

[0057] Further, the hardness of the steel sheet surface in steel sheet which has as a surface layer of the steel sheet either an Al plating layer, galvanized layer, and Zn-Fe alloy layer was measured at a position 20 m from the boundary (interface) between the plating layer and the steel sheet.

[0058] For example, the Al plating layer of the steel sheet which is used in the examples is deemed to be comprised of an outside layer which has Al as its main composition and an inside (steel sheet side) layer which is believed to be a reaction layer of Al and Fe, so the hardness was measured at a position 20 m from the boundary of the inside layer and the steel sheet in the sheet thickness direction and this was used as the surface hardness of the steel sheet.

[0059] Next, the galvanized layer of the steel sheet which is used in the examples is deemed to be comprised of two layers of an outside layer which has Zn as its main composition and an inside layer which is a reaction layer of Al which was added in a fine amount in the Zn bath and Fe, so the hardness was measured at a position 20 m from the boundary of the inside layer and the steel sheet in the sheet thickness direction and this was used as the surface hardness of the steel sheet.

[0060] Further, the Zn-Fe alloy layer of the steel sheet which is used in the examples is deemed to be comprised of a plurality of alloy layers which are comprised of Zn and Fe, so the hardness was measured at a position 20 m from the boundary of the inside-most layer and the steel sheet in the sheet thickness direction and this was used as the surface hardness of the steel sheet.

[0061] For the purpose of finding the deviation in hardness, the above measurement was performed in the region corresponding to the fatigue crack growth region (21) of the fatigue test piece which is shown in FIG. 2.

, FIG. 3 is a perspective view which shows the location of =
measurement of the hardness. The indenter of the Vicker's hardness meter was pushed in at a position of 20 m from the surface or the steel sheet or the interface of the steel sheet and the plating layer in the sheet thickness direction. This operation, as shown in FIG. 3, was performed at indentation intervals of 0.1 mm in a direction parallel to the surface of the steel sheet at 300 points per measurement sample (over 30 mm by measurement length) (first measurement surface). Further, the same operation was performed at another location 5 mm from the first measurement surface taken in advance (second measurement surface).

[0062] The hardnesses were found for the total 600 points in this way. The standard deviation using this as the population was calculated and used as an indicator of the deviation.

[0063] Note that the above measurement length of 30 mm and the two locations 5 mm apart were determined so as to match with the crack growth region of the fatigue test piece which is explained later.

[0064] In the experiment which is explained in the examples, samples with a fatigue limit ratio after hot stamping of 0.4 or more and ones with a ratio below that were compared for deviation in hardness of the steel sheet surface, whereupon in the former, the standard deviation was 40 or less. Therefore, the inventors proceeded with more detailed investigations, whereupon it became clear that the deviation in hardness after hot stamping has a standard deviation of 40 or less when the deviation in hardness of the steel sheet before hot stamping, determined by a similar technique, has a standard deviation of 20 or less.

[0065] In the present invention, the standard deviation of the Vicker's hardness at a position 20 m from the steel sheet surface in the sheet thickness direction was defined as 20 or less based on such = experimental findings.

[0066] Method of Production of Steel Sheet for Hot Stamped Member Finally, the method of production of steel sheet for a hot stamped member of the present invention will be explained.

[0067] The steel sheet for a hot stamped member of the present invention is processed in the accordance with the usual methods by the steps of steelmaking, casting, hot rolling, pickling, and cold rolling to obtain cold rolled steel sheet. The composition is adjusted to the above-mentioned scope of the present invention in the steelmaking step, the steel is cast to a slab in the continuous casting step, then the slab is started to be hot rolled at for example a 1300 C or less heating temperature. The rolling is ended around 900 C. The coiling temperature can be selected as, for example 600 C
etc. The hot rolling rate may be made 60 to 90%. The cold rolling is performed after the pickling step. The rolling rate can be selected from 30 to 90% in range.

[0068] The annealing step for recrystallizing the cold rolled steel sheet which was produced in this way is extremely important. The annealing step is performed using a continuous annealing facility and is comprised of two stages of a first step of heating by an average heating rate of 8 to 25 C/sec from room temperature to the temperature M ( C) and a second stage of then heating by an average heating rate of 1 to 7 C/sec down to a temperature S (cC). Here, the temperature M has to be 600 to 700( C), and the temperature S has to be 720 to 820( C). These conditions are determined based on the results of the experiment which is explained in the examples which are described below.

[0069] The reason why, when recrystallization-annealing under these conditions, the standard deviation of the Vicker's hardness which was measured at a position of 20 gm from the steel sheet surface in the sheet thickness direction is 20 or less, that is, steel sheet with a small deviation in hardness is obtained, is not necessarily clear, but the distribution of crystal grain size is preferably as uniform as possible and the dimensions and distribution of carbides are also preferably similarly as uniform as possible, so the following may be guessed from the viewpoint of the distribution of recrystallized particle size and the dimensions and distribution of carbides.

[0070] The recrystallization process of cold rolled steel sheet is complicated, so it is not suitable to separate and independently discuss the meanings of the heating rate for the phenomenon called recrystallization and the highest heating temperature at that heating rate.
Therefore, first, regarding the first stage, for example, consider the case where the heating rate is small and where it is large with respect to a certain single temperature M ( C). It is believed that in the former case, that is, when the heating rate is small, the density of recrystallization nuclei is (relatively) low and the individual recrystallized grains freely grow, but in the high temperature region near M ( C), fine recrystallized grains are produced from the remaining non-recrystallization region and, at the stage where the temperature of the steel sheet reaches M( C), (relatively) large crystal grains and small crystal grains are mixed.

[0071] On the other hand, it is believed that in the case of the latter, that is, when the heating rate is large, the density of recrystallized grain nuclei is high, a large number of recrystallized grains grow at a fast rate, and the grain boundaries become closer and further, in the high temperature region near M ( C), the recrystallized grains compete in growth and as a result crystal grains which have specific crystal orientations grow while eating away at crystal grains which have other , crystal orientations, so at the stage when reaching M
( C), it is believed there are large crystal grains and small crystal grains mixed together. Therefore, a combination of the suitable heating rate and M ( C) whereby the recrystallized grains become close in grain boundaries at the stage where the temperature reaches M
( C) becomes necessary for achieving a more uniform distribution of recrystallized particle sizes. The 8 to 25 C/sec of the average heating rate of the first stage and the 600 to 700 C of the temperature M ( C) are believed to correspond to these suitable conditions.

[0072] Next, to control competition of growth of recrystallized grains after the temperature of the steel sheet reaches M ( C), the heating rate of the second stage has to be made smaller than the first stage. Further, in the temperature region from the temperature M (c)(2) to the temperature S ( C), reformation of carbides due to the diffusion of carbon becomes active, so the combination of the setting of the highest temperature S ( C) of the annealing step and the heating rate up to that temperature has important meaning.

[0073] When the heating rate is small for one S ( C), the carbides which were present at the temperature M ( C) uniformly grow, so it may be that a steel sheet results in which carbides of various dimensions which were present in the stage when reaching the temperature m ( C) are present in various ways. On the other hand, when the heating rate is large, small carbides disappear and large carbides grow and therefore the dimensions of the carbides become closer to uniform ones relatively speaking, but the density becomes small. Therefore, unevenness of hardness of the steel sheet is caused due to the carbides. As opposed to these, when the combination of the heating rate and the temperature S ( C) of the second stage is suitable, the small carbides grow preferentially and it may be that a steel sheet results in which relatively uniform dimension carbides are dispersed at a suitable density, so the unevenness of hardness of the steel sheet due to carbides becomes uneven. The 1 to 7 C/sec of the heating rate of the second stage and the 720 to 820 C of the temperature S (("C) correspond to such suitable conditions.

[0074] After reaching the temperature S, the temperature S may be held for a short time or the next cooling step may be immediately shifted to. When holding the temperature S, from the viewpoint of coarsening of the crystal grains, the holding time is preferably 180 seconds or less, more preferably 120 seconds or less.

[0075] The cooling rate from the temperature S in the cooling step is not particularly limited, but 30 C/sec or more rapid cooling is preferably avoided. Therefore, the cooling rate from the temperature S is less than 30 C/sec, preferably 20 C or less, more preferably 10 C or less.
Steel sheet for hot stamping use is often sheared to a predetermined shape and then used for hot stamping. This is because it is feared that rapid cooling raises the shear load and lowers the production efficiency.

[0076] After annealing, the sheet may be cooled down to room temperature. During cooling, it may be dipped in a hot dip Al bath to form an Al plating layer.

[0077] The hot dip Al bath may contain 0.1 to 20% of Si.

[0078] The Si which is contained in the Al plating layer affects the reaction of Al and Fe which occurs during heating before hot stamping. Excessive reaction is liable to detract from the press formability of the plating layer itself. On the other hand, excessive control of the reaction is liable to invite adherence of Al on the press forming die. To avoid such a problem, the content of Si in the Al plating layer is preferably 1 to 15%, more preferably 3 to 12%.

[0079] Further, during the cooling after annealing, the sheet was dipped in a hot dip galvanization bath to form a galvanized layer.

[0080] Furthermore, the sheet was dipped in a hot dip galvanization bath to form a galvanized layer, then was heated to 600 C or less to form a Zn-Fe alloy layer.

[0081] The hot dip galvanization bath could contain 0.01 to 3% of Al.

[0082] The existence of Al has a strong affect on the reaction of Zn and Fe. When forming a galvanized layer, the reaction layer of the Fe and Al becomes an obstacle and suppresses mutual dispersion of Zn and Fe. On the other hand, a Zn-Fe alloy layer is comprised of a Zn-rich alloy layer (-phase, 81-phase) and Fe-rich alloy layer (F1-phase, F-phase), but the former is rich in adhesion with the base iron, but the workability is degraded, while the latter is excellent in workability, but is insufficient in adhesion. Therefore, it is necessary to suitably control the ratio of composition of these four phases to satisfy the targeted properties (giving preference to adhesion, giving preference to workability, or balancing the two etc.) This can be performed by including in the hot dip galvanization bath 0.01 to 3% of Al so as to enable control of the diffusion of Fe. What sort of concentration to use may be selected by the manufacturer in accordance with the ability or objective of the production facility.

[0083] The thicknesses of the Al plating layer, galvanized layer, and Zn-Fe alloy layer do not influence the fatigue characteristic of the steel sheet after hot stamping or the fatigue characteristic of the parts, but if excessively thick, the press formability is liable to be affected. As shown in the examples, when the thickness of the Al plating layer is over 50 m, the phenomenon of galling is recognized. When the thickness of the Zn plating layer exceeds 30 m, adhesion of the Zn to the =
die frequently occurs. When the thickness of the Zn-Fe alloy layer is over 45 pm, scattered cracking of the alloy layer is seen, and the productivity is otherwise impaired. Therefore, the thicknesses of the layers are preferably made Al plating layer: 50 pm or less, galvanized layer: 30 pm or less, and Zn-Fe alloy layer:
45 pm or less.

[0084] When these plating layers are thin, there is no problem at all in shapeability, but from the viewpoint of the corrosion resistance, which is aimed at imparting these plating layers, the lower limits of the plating layers are preferably made as follows: That is, the limits are the Al plating layer: preferably 5 pm or more, more preferably 10 pm or more, the galvanized layer:
preferably 5 pm or more, more preferably 10 pm or more, and the Zn-Fe alloy layer: preferably 5 pm or more, more preferably 10 pm or more.
Examples

[0085] Below, examples will be used as the basis to explain the present invention in detail.
Example 1 Steels "a" to "f" which have the composition which is shown in Table 1 were produced and cast. The slabs were heated to 1250 C and supplied to a hot rolling step where they were hot rolled at a final temperature of 900 C and a coiling temperature of 600 C to obtain thickness 3.2 mm steel sheets. These hot rolled steel sheets were pickled, then cold rolled to obtain thickness 1.6 mm cold rolled steel sheets.

[0086] The cold rolled steel sheets were recrystallized and annealed under the conditions of i to xviii described in Table 2 to obtain the steel sheets for hot stamped members 1 to 32 which are shown in Table 3.
From part, two test pieces for measurement of the hardness before hot stamping were obtained. The positions for sampling the test pieces were made positions 5 mm separated in the width direction of the obtained steel sheet for hot stamped member.

[0087] The average heating rate 1 (first stage) and average heating rate 2 (second stage) in Table 2 respectively show the average heating rates from room temperature to temperature M ( C) and the average heating rate from temperature M (c)C) to the temperature S

[0088] These steel sheets for hot stamped members were held at 900 C for 10 minutes, then were sandwiched by the test-use sheet press die which was shown in FIG. 1 and hot stamped. Each type of steel sheet for a hot stamped member was used hot stamping 10 pieces. From one among these, two tensile test pieces based on the provisions of JIS No. 5 and two test pieces for measurement of hardness (same procedure as with hot stamping) were obtained. From the remaining nine, two fatigue test pieces which are shown in FIG. 2 each, for a total of 18, were obtained.
The method of working for obtain test pieces was electrodischarge machining.

[0089] A tensile test was performed to find the tensile strength GB (average value of two tensile test pieces). On the other hand, 18 test pieces were used to run a plane bending fatigue test and determine the 1x107 cycle fatigue strength aw. The test conditions were a stress ratio of -1 and a repetition rate of 5Hz.

[0090] The test pieces for measurement of hardness were polished to a mirror finish at cross-sections parallel to the rolling directions of cold rolled steel sheets both before and after hot stamping.

[0091] The hardness at 20 m inside from the surfaces of these test pieces in the sheet thickness direction was measured using a Vickers hardness meter (HM-2000 made by Mitsutoyo). The pushing load was made 10 gf, the pushing time was made 15 seconds, and the measurement interval in = the direction parallel to the surface made 0.1 mm for measurement of 300 points.

[0092] Two test pieces were measured in the same way.
The standard deviation of hardness was calculated from the data of the Vicker's hardness of a total of 600 points.

[0093] Table 3 shows the steel number, processing conditions, standard deviation of hardness before hot stamping, tensile strength (TB (average of two), strength OW, fatigue limit ratio aw/aB, and standard of hardness after hot stamping. The correlation between the fatigue limit ratio aw/aB and the standard deviation of hardness before hot stamping is shown in FIG. 4.

[0094] It was learned that the tensile strength aB of steel sheet after hot stamping is almost entirely unaffected by the recrystallization-annealing conditions in steel sheet of the same composition (code "b"). On the other hand, the fatigue characteristics (aw/aB) were strongly affected by the recrystallization-annealing conditions.

[0095] In steel sheets using the annealing conditions i, iii, iv, vii, viii, xv, and xviii of the present invention, relatively high fatigue characteristics, that is, a 0.4 or more fatigue limit ratio (Ow/GB), could be obtained in the range of about 1200 to 1500 MPa in tensile strength. As opposed to this, in steel sheets which were annealed under conditions outside the scope of the present invention, the obtained fatigue limit ratio was a low level of about 0.3.

[0096] This difference is due to the fact that the fatigue limit ratio is correlated with the standard deviation of hardness after hot stamping. Simultaneously, it clearly depends on the standard deviation of the hardness before hot stamping. As shown in Nos. 1 to 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 20, 21, and 23 to 28, it became clear that when the standard deviation of the hardness is 2 or less, a hot stamped member which has an excellent fatigue characteristic (high fatigue limit ratio) is obtained.

[0097] Further, as the conditions of recrystallization-annealing for obtaining steel sheet with a standard deviation of hardness before hot stamping of 20 or less, there are a first stage of heating by an average heating rate of 15 to 25 C/sec from room temperature to a temperature M ( C) and a second stage of then heating by an average heating rate of 2 to 5 C/sec to the temperature S (c)(:). It became clear that M is 620 to 680( C) and S is 780 to 820( C).

[0098] Table 1 Steel C Si Mn P S Al N Others no.
a 0.25 0.7 1.9 0.02 0.002 0.03 0.004 Ti : 0.03, B: 0.003 b 0.23,0.5 1.6 0.02 0.002 0.03 0.003 c 0.21 0.3 1.4 0.02 0.002 0.03 0.002 B: 0.004 d 0.20 0.2 1.2 0.02 0.002 0.03 0.004 Cr: 0.2, Ti: 0.02, B: 0.002 e 0.18 0.2 1.3 0.02 0.002 0.03 0.003 Cr: 1.4, Ti: 0.02, B: 0.002 f 0.15 0.3 1.1 0.02 0.002 0.03 0.003 Cr: 0.1, B: 0.004 Units are mass% .

. [0099] Table 2 Average Temp. Average Condition Temp.
heating rate M heating rate Cooling conditions no. S ( C) 1 ( C/sec) ( C) 2 ( C/sec) No holding. Cooling by average cooling rate 6 C/sec to i 20 650 3 800 670 C, holding for Inv. ex.
seconds, then air cooling to room temperature.
ii 25 590 3 800 Ditto Comp. ex.
iii 25 600 3 800 Ditto Inv. ex.
iv 8 700 3 800 Ditto Inv. ex.
v 8 710 3 800 Ditto Comp. ex.
vi 15 650 7 830 Ditto Comp. ex.
_ vii 15 650 7 820 Ditto Inv. ex.
viii 15 650 2 720 Ditto Inv. ex.
ix 15 650 2 710 Ditto Comp. ex.
x 7 600 4 800 Ditto Comp. ex.
xi 8 600 4 800 Ditto Inv. ex.
xii 25 700 3 800 Ditto Inv. ex.
xiii 26 700 3 800 Ditto Comp. ex.
xiv 20 650 0.5 720 Ditto Comp. ex.
xv 20 650 1 720 Ditto Inv. ex.
xvi 20 650 7 820 Ditto Inv. ex.
_ xvii 20 650 8 820 Ditto Comp. ex.
_ Holding for 10 sec., then air xviii 20 650 3 800 Inv. ex.
cooling to room temperature Underlined figures indicate outside scope of present invention.

= [0100] Table 3 Standard Standard deviation of cTw/GB deviation of No.
Steel Processing hardness aB aw (fatigue hardness no. conditions (MPa) (MPa) limit before hot after hot stamping ratio) stamping 1 a i 10 1510 619 0.41 27 Inv. ex.
2 b i 9 1508 603 0.40 22 Inv. ex.
3 c i 6 1501 630 0.42 20 Inv. ex.
4 d i 8 1498 614 0.41 21 Inv. ex.
e i 11 1503 s 646 0.43 27 Inv. ex.
6 f i 7 1422 597 0.42 24 Inv. ex.
7 b ii 30 1512 484 0.32 46 Comp. ex.
8 b iii 12 1506 602 0.40 20 Inv. ex.
9 b iv 16 1489 610 0.41 23 Inv. ex.
b v 29 1502 451 0.30 42 Comp. ex.
11 b vi . -24 1499 465 0.31 44 Comp. ex.
12 b vii 13 1505 647 0.43 19 Inv. ex.
13 b viii _ 11 1516 637 0.42 22 Inv. ex.
14 b ix , 24 1511 453 0.30 43 Comp. ex.
b x 32 1522- 502 0.33 51 Comp. ex.
16 b xi 16 1518 638 0.42 24 Inv. ex.
17 b xii 19 1512 650 0.43 26 Inv. ex.
18 b xiii 33 1507 452 0.30 49 Comp. ex.
19 b xiv 29 1500 480 0.32 46 Comp. ex.
b xv 12 1496 598 0.40 22 Inv. ex.
21 b xvi 11 1506 617 0.41 25 Inv. ex.
22 b xvii 27 1503 496 0.33 45 Comp. ex.
_ 23 a xviii 10 1510 634 0.42 19 Inv. ex.
24 b xviii _ 6 1512 605 0.40 12 Inv. ex.
c xviii 8 1503 601 0.40 14 Inv. ex.
26 d xviii 13 1509 649 0.43 24 Inv. ex.
27 e xviii 18 1499 600 0.40 27 Inv. ex.
28 f xviii 11 1418 610 0.43 22 Inv. ex.
Underlined figures indicate outside scope of present invention.
[0101]
Example 2 5 Steels 2a to 2h which have the composition which is shown in Table 4 were produced and cast. The slabs were hot rolled under the same conditions as Example 1 to obtain thickness 3.0 mm steel sheets. These hot rolled steel sheets were pickled, then cold rolled to 1.2 mm.
10 [0102] These steel sheets were recrystallized and annealed under conditions of i, ix, and xviii of Table 2 to obtain steel sheets for hot stamped members.
[0103] From these steel sheets, test pieces for measurement of hardness were obtained by the same 15 procedure was in Example 1.
[0104] These steel sheets for a hot stamped member were held at 900 C for 5 minutes, then were formed to hat shapes which are shown in FIG. 5 by the hot stamping method. As shown in this figure, fatigue test pieces which are shown in FIG. 2 and JIS No. 5 tensile test pieces were obtained from the top parts of the hats.
[0105] These test pieces were used by the same procedure as in Example 1 to find the standard deviation of hardness before hot stamping and the tensile strength 013 (average of two) and 1x107 cycle fatigue strength aw of the steel sheet after hot stamping (member).
[0106] Table 5 should these results. The correlation between the fatigue limit ratio aw/aB and the standard deviation of the hardness before hot stamping is shown in FIG. 6.
[0107] In steel sheets for a hot stamped member which were recrystallized and annealed using conditions i and xviii in the scope of the present invention, even if steel sheets which contain Mo, W, V, Cu, and Ni, the deviation in hardness of the surface layer before hot stamping had a standard deviation of 20 or less. Further, if using these, it became clear that a hot stamped member with a fatigue limit ratio of 0.4 or more, that is, excellent in fatigue characteristic, was obtained.
[0108] On the other hand, in steel sheets which were recrystallized and annealed using the condition ix which is outside the scope of the present invention, the deviation in hardness of the surface layer before hot stamping has a standard deviation of over 20. The fatigue limit ratio of the hot stamped members obtained by using these was 0.26 to 0.31. It became clear the fatigue characteristic was inferior.

. .
' [0109] Table 4 Steel Composition (mass%) no. C Si Mn P S Al N Others Cr: 0.2, Ti: 0.01, B:
2a 0.350.3 1.00.02 0.0040.030.004 0.002, Cu: 0.1, Ni: 0.1 Cr: 0.5, Ti: 0.02, B:
2b 0.310.51.20.020.0040.030.004 0.004, Nb: 0.02, Mo: 0.2 2C 0.281.0 1.70.02U.004 0.03 0.004W: 0.2, Ni: 2.0 Ti: 0.03, B: 0.003, Mo:
2d 0.250.81.90.020.0040.030.004 0.2, Ni: 1.0 2e 0.230.6 1.60.02 0.0040.03 0.003Mo: 0.1, W: 0.5, V: 0.5 2f 0.210.41.40.02 0.0040.03 0.002B: 0.004, Mo: 0.1, V: 0.5 Cr: 0.2, Ti: 0.02, Mo: 0.2, 2g 0.200.31.20.020.0040.030.004 W: 0.4 Cr: 1.4, Ti: 0.02, B:
2h 0.180.31.30.020.0040.030.003 0.002, Mo: 0.1, V: 0.2 [0110] Table 5 Standard deviation of uw/GB
Steel Processing as No. hardness law (MPa) (fatigue limit no. conditions (MPa) before hot ratio) stamping , 29 2a i 18 1794 718 0.40 Inv. ex.
30 2a ix 40 1790 465 0.26 Comp. ex.
31 2a xviii 19 1802 721 0.40 Inv. ex.
32 2b i 16 1706 682 0.40 Inv. ex. _ 33 2b ix 37 1696 441 0.26 Comp. ex.
34 2b xviii 18 1711 702 0.41 Inv. ex.
35 2C , i 15 1598 639 0.40 Inv. ex._ _ 36 2C ix 30 1592 430 0.27 Comp. ex.
37 2C xviii 14 1590 636 0.40 _Inv. ex.
_ 38 2d i 15 1492 612 0.41 Inv. ex.
39 2d ix 26 1500 435 0.29 Comp. ex., 40 2d xviii 5 1498 614 0.41 Inv. ex.
41 2e i 9 1492 597 0.4 Inv. ex.
42 2e ix 31 1502 421 0.28 Comp. ex.
_ 43 2e xviii 10 1516 622 0.41 Inv. ex.
44 2f _ i 12 1508 603 0.4 Inv. ex.
, 45 2f ix 36 1512 469 0.31 Comp. ex.
_ 46 2f xviii 19 1522 609 0.4 Inv. ex.
47 2g i 14 =1496 613 0.41 Inv. ex.
48 2g ix 33 1504 406 0.27 Comp. ex.
_ 49 2g xviii 13 1526 641 0.42 Inv. ex.
50 2h i 14 1506 602 0.4 Inv. ex._ 51 2h ix 32 1512 454 0.3 ,Comp. ex.
_ 52 2h xviii 15 1528 642 0.42 Inv. ex.
Underlined figures indicate outside scope of present invention.
[0111]
Example 3 Steels 3a to 3d which have the composition which is shown in Table 6 were produced and cast. The slabs were hot rolled under the same conditions as Example 1 to obtain thickness 2.5 mm steel sheets. These hot rolled steel sheets were pickled, then cold rolled to 1.2 mm.
[0112] These steel sheets were heated by an average heating rate of 19 C/sec up to 655 C, then were heated by an average heating rate of 2.5 C to 800 C, then were immediately cooled by an average cooling rate of 6.5 C/sec. Further, they were dipped in a 670 C hot dip Al bath (containing 10% of Si and unavoidable impurities), taken out after 5 seconds, adjusted in amount of deposition by a gas wiper, then air cooled down to room temperature.
[0113] From the obtained steel sheets, the same procedure as in Example 1 was used to obtain test pieces for measurement of hardness. To measure the hardness, the hardness at a position 20 pm from the boundary of the inside layer of the Al plating layer (reaction layer of Al and Fe) and the steel sheet was measured by the same procedure as in Example 1. At the time of this measurement, the thickness of the Al plating layer (total of two layers) was also measured. The range of measurement of thickness was made the same length 30 mm as the range of measurement of hardness. Seven points were measured at measurement intervals of 5 mm at each of the first measurement surface and second measurement surface for a total of 14 measurement positions. The average value was found.
[0114] These steel sheets were hot stamped into hat shapes by the same procedure as in Example 2. The heating conditions were holding at 900 C for 1 minute.
[0115] From the top parts of the hats, fatigue test pieces which are shown in FIG. 2 and JIS No. 5 tensile test pieces were obtained.
[0116] These test pieces were used to find the tensile strength aB (average of two) and 1x107 cycle fatigue strength aw. Table 7 shows the results.

, . [0117] In all examples, excellent steel sheet for a hot stamped member with a fatigue limit ratio of 0.4 or more was obtained, but in Nos. 57, 62, 67, and 72 where the thickness of the Al plating layer exceeded 50 m, a galling phenomenon occurred at a high frequency at the long wall parts of the hat shape. In examples of 50 m or less, no galling phenomenon occurred at all. Therefore, it was judged that the upper limit of thickness when Al plating the steel sheet surface is 50 m or less.
[0118] Table 6 Steel C Si Mn P S Al N Others 3a 0.330.091.80.010.004 0.040.003 Cr: 0.2, Mo: 0.2, Cu:
0.1, Ni: 0.05 Cr: 0.02, T: ..
3b 0.250.181.40.010.004 0.040.003 0 i 002 B:
0.1, V: 0.1 Cr: 0.13, Ti: 0.03, 3C 0.220.121,30.020.0080.030.004 0.02, B: 0.002 Nb:
3d 0.150.331.00.020.0080.030.004B: 0.0005 Units are mass%.
[0119] Table 7 Standard deviation aw/a5 Thickness of Steel of hardness No. GB Glq (fatigue Al plating no. before hot (MPa) (MPa) limit layer ( m) stamping ratio) 53 3a 17 1784 714 0.40 16.0 Inv. ex.
54 3a 18 1789 716 - 0.40 22.2 Inv. ex.
55 3a 16 1801 720 0.40 33.9 Inv. ex.
56 3a 14 1792 717 0.40 48.6 Inv. ex.
57 3a 14 1790 716 0.40 51.0 Comp. ex.
58 3b 12 1516 652 0.43 15.1 Inv. ex.
59 3b 15 1520 638 0.42 19, 6 Inv. ex., 60 3b 19 1524 671 0.44 34.2 Inv. ex.
61 3b 18 1522 685 0.45 49.6 Inv. ex.
_ 62 3b 20 1534 614 0.40 54.7 Comp. ex. _ 63 3C 11 ' 1502 631 0.42 14.5 Inv. ex.
_ 64 3C 14 1509 649 0.43 20.1 Inv. ex.
65 3C 9 1513 635 - 0.42 34.6 Inv. ex.
_ 66 3C 13 1519 668 0.44 49.2 Inv. ex.
67 3C 18 1524 610 0.40 55.3 Comp. ex.
_ 68 3d 10 1318 554 0.42 17.2 Inv. ex.
69 3d 10 1326 557 0.42 20.4 Inv. ex.
70 3d 8 1320 554 0.42 30.2 Inv. ex.
_ 71 3d 14 1314 539 0.41 42.0 Inv. ex.
72 3d 15 1310 537 0.41 53.6 Comp. ex.
Underlined figures indicate outside scope of present invention.
[0120]
Example 4 . ' . Steels 3a to 3d which have the composition which is shown in Table 6 were produced and cast. The slabs were hot rolled under the same conditions as Example 1 to obtain thickness 2.5 mm steel sheets. These hot rolled steel sheets were pickled, then cold rolled to 1.2 mm.
[0121] These steel sheets were heated by an average heating rate of 19 C/sec up to 655 C, then were heated by an average heating rate of 2.5 C to 800 C, then were immediately cooled by an average cooling rate of 6.5 C/sec. Further, they were dipped in a 460 C hot dip galvanization bath (containing 0.15% of Al and unavoidable impurities), taken out after 3 seconds, adjusted in amount of deposition by a gas wiper, then air cooled down to room temperature.
[0122] From the obtained steel sheets, the same procedure as in Example 1 was used to obtain test pieces for measurement of hardness. To measure the hardness, the hardness at a position 20 m from the boundary of the inside layer of the Zn plating layer (reaction layer of Al and Fe) and the steel sheet was measured by the same procedure as in Example 1. At the time of this measurement, the thickness of only the Zn plating layer may also be measured. The range of measurement of thickness was made the same length 30 mm as the range of measurement of hardness. Seven points were measured at measurement intervals of 5 mm at each of the first measurement surface and second measurement surface for a total of 14 measurement positions. The average value was found.
[0123] These steel sheets were hot stamped into hat shapes by the same procedure as in Example 2. They were heated to 880 C and held for 5 seconds, then air-cooled down to 700 C and pressed.
[0124] From the top parts of the hats, fatigue test pieces which are shown in FIG. 2 and JIS No. 5 tensile test pieces were obtained.

, , ' [0125]
These test pieces were used to find the tensile strength aB (average of two) and 1x107 cycle fatigue strength aw. Table 8 shows the results.
[0126] In all examples, excellent steel sheet for a hot stamped member with a fatigue limit ratio of 0.4 or more was obtained, but in Nos. 77, 82, 87, and 92 where the thickness of the galvanized layer exceeded 30 m, adhesion of Zn was observed at a high frequency in the die. In examples of 30 m or less, no adhesion of Zn occurred at all. Therefore, it was judged that the upper limit of thickness when galvanizing the steel sheet surface is 30 m or less.
[0127] Table 8 Standard aw/cra Thickness deviation Steel GB (54i (fatigue of No. of hardness no. before hot (MPa) (MPa) limit galvanized ratio) layer ( m) stamping 73 3a 17 1785 714 0.40 6.1 Inv. ex.
74 3a 17 1788 715 0.40 12.5 Inv. ex.
75 3a 16 1802 721 0.40 23.8 Inv. ex.
_ 76 3a 13 1794 718 0.40 28.6 Inv. ex.
77 3a 15 1793 717 0.40 31.0 Comp.
ex.
_78 3b 12 1516 652 0.43 11.1 Inv. ex.
79 3b 15 1522 639 0.42 19.6 Inv. ex.
80 3b 19 1534 675 = 0.44 24.8 Inv. ex.
81 3b 18 1532 689 0.45 29.0 Inv. ex.
82 3b 20 1545 618 0.40 33.7 Comp.
ex.
83 3c 10 1518 638 0.42 10.3 Inv. ex.
84 3c 14 1536 660 0.43 17.2 Inv. ex.
85 3c 9 1524 640 0.42 19.6 Inv. ex.
86 3c 14 1539 677 0.44 29.3 Inv. ex.
87 3c 18 1544 618 0.40 32.3 Comp.
ex.
_ 88 3d 10 1336 561 0.42 11.2 Inv. ex.
89 3d 12 1342 564 0.42 17.4 Inv. ex.
_ 90 3d 8 1318 554 0.42 20.2 Inv. ex.
91 3d 13 1320 541 0.41 28.0 Inv. ex.
92 3d 15 1330 545 0.41 33.4 Coemp.x.
Underlined figures indicate outside scope of present invention.
[0128]
Example 5 Steels 3a to 3d which have the composition which is shown in Table 6 were produced and cast. The slabs were hot , , rolled under the same conditions as Example 1 to obtain thickness 2.5 mm steel sheets. These hot rolled steel sheets were pickled, then cold rolled to 1.2 mm.
[0129] These steel sheets were heated by an average heating rate of 19 C/sec up to 655 C, then were heated by an average heating rate of 2.5 C to 800 C, then were immediately cooled by an average cooling rate of 6.5 C/sec. Further, they were dipped in a 460 C hot dip galvanization bath (containing 0.13% of Al, 0.03% of Fe, and unavoidable impurities), taken out after 3 seconds, adjusted in amount of deposition by a gas wiper, then heated to 480 C to form an Zn-Fe alloy layer, then air cooled down to room temperature.
[0130] From the obtained steel sheets, the same procedure as in Example 1 was used to obtain test pieces for measurement of hardness. To measure the hardness, the hardness at a position 20 pm from the boundary of the inner-most layer of the Zn-Fe alloy layer (reaction layer of Zn and Fe) and the steel sheet was measured by the same procedure as in Example 1. At the time of this measurement, the total thickness of the Zn-Fe alloy layer (which was comprised of four layers) was also measured.
At the time of this measurement, the thickness of the Al plating layer (total of two layers) was also measured.
The range of measurement of thickness was made the same length 30 mm as the range of measurement of hardness.
Seven points were measured at measurement intervals of 5 mm at each of the first measurement surface and second measurement surface for a total of 14 measurement positions. The average value was found.
[013].] These steel sheets were hot stamped into hat shapes by the same procedure as in Example 2. They were heated to 880 C and held for 5 seconds, then air-cooled down to 700 C and pressed.
[0132] From the top parts of the hats, fatigue test pieces which are shown in FIG. 2 and JIS No. 5 tensile , , test pieces were obtained.
[0133] These test pieces were used to find the tensile strength aB (average of two) and 1x107 cycle fatigue strength aw. Table 9 shows the results.
[0134] In all examples, excellent steel sheet for a hot stamped member with a fatigue limit ratio of 0.4 or more was obtained, but in Nos. 97, 102, 107, and 112 where the thickness of the Zn-Fe alloy layer exceeded 45 m, fine cracks occurred in the alloy layer after pressing. In examples of 45 m or less, no fine cracks formed at all. Therefore, it was judged that the upper limit of thickness when forming a Zn-Fe alloy layer on the steel sheet surface is 45 m or less.
[0135] Table 9 Standard deviation aw/(TB Thickness of No Steel of hardness GB Gw (fatigue Zn-Fe alloy .
no. before hot (MPa) (MPa) limit layer ( m) stamping ratio) 93 3a 17 1773 727 0.41 15.0 Inv. ex.
94 3a 16 1777 711 0.40 22.2 Inv. ex.
95 3a 17 1802 739 _ 0.41 31.5 Inv. ex.
96 3a 14 1786 714 0.40 39.9 Inv. ex.
97 3a 13 1772 709 0.40 46.0 Comp. ex.
98 3b 12 1505 632 0.42 15.7 Inv. ex.

99 3b 18 1519 638 0.42 21.6 Inv. ex.

100 3b 19 1513 651 0.43 39.2 Inv. ex.
_

101 3b 18 1502 661 0.44 44.6 Inv. ex.

102 3b 14 1518 622 0.41 49.7 Comp. ex.
_

103 3C 11 1506 633 0.42 14.5 Inv. ex.
_

104 3C 14 1503 646 0.43 20.8 Inv. ex.

105 3C 9 1500 645 0.43 34.6 Inv. ex.
_

106 3C 12 1506 633 0.42 42.2 Inv. ex.
_

107 3C 19 1510 619 0.41 45.3 Comp. ex.

108 3d 17 1307 523 0.40 15.2 Inv. ex.

109 3d 11 1313 551 0.42 18.4 Inv. ex.

110 3d 8 1320 554 0.42 30.6 Inv. ex.

111 3d 14 1314 539 0.41 =42.9 Inv. ex.
_ -

112 3d 15 1310 537 0.41 48.6 Comp. ex.
Underlined figures indicate outside scope of present invention.
Reference Signs List [0136]
lla top die llb bottom die 12 steel sheet 21 fatigue crack growth region 51 test piece sampling position

Claims

- 36 -

Claim 1. A method of production of steel sheet for a hot stamped member having a standard deviation of Vicker's hardness of 13 or less at a position of 20 µm from the steel sheet surface in the sheet thickness direction, the method comprising recrystallization-annealing of a cold rolled steel sheet containing, by mass%, C: 0.15 to 0.35%, Si: 0.01 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.3 to 2.3%, Al: 0.01 to 0.5%, and a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, and limit the impurities to P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.02% or less, and N: 0.1% or less, in which step, including a first stage of heating by an average heating rate of 15 to 25°C/sec from room temperature to a temperature M
(°C) and then a second stage of heating by an average heating rate of 1 to 7°C/sec to a temperature S (°C), wherein the temperature M (°C) is 600 to 650 (°C) and the temperature S (°C) is 720 to 820 (°C).
Claim 2. The method of production of steel sheet for a hot stamped member as set forth in claim 1, wherein said steel further contains, by mass%, one or more of Cr: 0.01 to 2.0%, Ti: 0.001 to 0.5%, Nb: 0.001 to 0.5%
B: 0.0005 to 0.01%, Mo: 0.01 to 1.0%

W: 0.01 to 0.5%, V: 0.01 to 0.5%, Cu: 0.01 to 1.0%, and Ni: 0.01 to 5.0%.
Claim 3. The method of production of steel sheet for a hot stamped member as set forth in claim 2, wherein a hot rolling rate in said hot rolling step is 60 to 90%, while a cold rolling rate of said cold rolling step is 30 to 90%.
Claim 4. The method of production of steel sheet for a hot stamped member as set forth in claim 1, which further includes, after said recrystallization-annealing step, a step of dipping said steel sheet in an Al bath to form an Al plating layer on the surface.
Claim 5. The method of production of steel sheet for a hot stamped member as set forth in claim 1, which further includes, after said recrystallization annealing step, a step of dipping said steel sheet in a Zn bath to form a galvanized layer on the surface.
Claim 6. The method of production of steel sheet for a hot stamped member as set forth in claim 1, which further includes, after said recrystallization-annealing step, a step of dipping said steel sheet in a Zn bath to form a galvanized layer on the surface, then further heating to 600°C or less to form a Zn-Fe alloy layer on said surface.