EP4306672A1 - Galvanized steel sheet and member, and method for manufacturing same - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a galvanized steel sheet having a TS of 980 MPa or more, high YS, excellent ductility, strain hardenability, and hole expansion formability. A base steel sheet has a defined chemical composition and a steel microstructure as follows: area ratio of ferrite: 65.0 % or less (including 0 %), area ratio of bainitic ferrite: 5.0 % or more and 40.0 % or less, area ratio of tempered martensite: 0.5 % or more and 80.0 % or less, area ratio of retained austenite: 3.0 % or more, area ratio of fresh martensite: 20.0 % or less (including 0 %), S_BF + S_TM + 2 × S_MA: 65.0 % or more, S_MA1/S_MA: 0.80 or less, and S_MA2/S_MA: 0.20 or more.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present disclosure relates to a galvanized steel sheet, a member made from the galvanized steel sheet, and a method of producing same.
BACKGROUND
• In recent years, enhancement of fuel efficiency of automobiles has become an important issue from the viewpoint of global environment protection. Therefore, there is a growing trend to reduce weight of automotive bodies by increasing strength and reducing thickness of steel sheets used as a material of automotive components.
• Further, societal demand for improved crashworthiness of automobiles is becoming even higher. Therefore, developing steel sheets having high strength in addition to excellent anti-crash properties in the event of a collision while a vehicle is in motion (hereinafter also simply referred to as "anti-crash properties") is desirable. In particular, in view of automotive body rust resistance, steel sheets used as material of automotive components are often galvanized. Therefore, developing galvanized steel sheets that have high strength as well as excellent anti-crash properties is desirable.
• As an example of a steel sheet used as a material of automotive components, JP 3887235 B (PTL 1) describes:
  "a high strength steel sheet having excellent stretch flangeability and collision resistance comprising: a chemical composition containing, in mass%, C: 0.04 % to 0.22 %, Si: 1.0 % or less, Mn: 3.0 % or less, P: 0.05 % or less, S: 0.01 % or less, Al: 0.01 % to 0.1 %, and N: 0.001 % to 0.005 %, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity; and a microstructure comprising a ferrite phase as a main phase and martensite as a secondary phase, a maximum grain size of the martensite phase being 2 µm or less, and an area ratio of the martensite phase being 5 % or more."
• JP 5953693 B (PTL 2) describes:
  "a high strength hot-dip galvanized steel sheet having excellent coating adhesion and formability, comprising: a cold-rolled steel sheet that has had a surface thickness of 0.1 µm or more ground off and been pre-coated with Ni: 0.2 g/m² or more and 2.0 g/m² or less, and a hot-dip galvanizing layer on a surface thereof, comprising:
• a chemical composition containing, in mass%,
• C: 0.05 % or more and 0.4 % or less,
• Si: 0.01 % or more and 3.0 % or less,
• Mn: 0.1 % or more and 3.0 % or less,
• P: 0.04 % or less,
• S: 0.05 % or less,
• N: 0.01% or less,
• Al: 0.01 % or more and 2.0 % or less,
• Si + Al: more than 0.5 %,
• with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity,
• having a microstructure comprising, by volume fraction, ferrite: 40 % or more as a main phase, retained austenite: 8 % or more, and two or more of three types of martensite [1], [2], [3], as specified below, including martensite [3], bainite: 1 % or more, and pearlite: 0 % to 10 %, where volume fractions of the martensite [1], [2], [3] are
• martensite [1]: 0 % or more and 50 % or less,
• martensite [2]: 0 % or more and less than 20 %,
• martensite [3]: 1 % or more and 30 % or less,
• the hot-dip galvanizing layer containing less than 7 % Fe with the balance consisting of Zn, Al, and inevitable impurity, wherein
• tensile strength TS (MPa), total elongation EL (%), and hole expansion rate λ (%) satisfy TS × EL = 18,000 MPa·% or more, and TS × λ = 35,000 MPa·% or more, and tensile strength is 980 MPa or more, wherein
• martensite [1]: C concentration (CM1) is less than 0.8 % and hardness Hv1 satisfies $$\mathrm{Hv}1/\left(-982.1\times \mathrm{CM}12+1676\times \mathrm{CM}1+189\right)\le 0.60$$
  
• martensite [2]: C concentration (CM2) is 0.8 % or more and hardness Hv2 satisfies $$\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="Hv"\; filenames="imgf0003.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">Hv</figure-callout>}2/\left(-982.1\times \mathrm{CM}22+1676\times \mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="CM"\; filenames="imgf0003.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">CM</figure-callout>}2+189\right)\le 0.60$$
  
• martensite [3]: C concentration (CM3) is 0.8 % or more and hardness Hv3 satisfies $$\mathrm{Hv}3/\left(-982.1\times \mathrm{CM}32+1676\times \mathrm{CM}3+189\right)\ge 0.80."$$
  
• JP 6052472 B (PTL 3) describes:
• "a high strength hot-dip galvanized steel sheet comprising: a chemical composition containing, in mass%, C: 0.15 % or more and 0.25 % or less, Si: 0.50 % or more and 2.5 % or less, Mn: 2.3 % or more and 4.0 % or less, P: 0.100 % or less, S: 0.02 % or less, Al: 0.01 % or more and 2.5 % or less, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity,
• having a microstructure comprising, in area ratio, a tempered martensitic phase: 30 % or more and 73 % or less, a ferrite phase: 25 % or more and 68 % or less, a retained austenite phase: 2 % or more and 20 % or less, and other phases: 10 % or less (including 0 %), where the other phases include a martensite phase: 3 % or less (including 0 %) and a bainitic ferrite phase: less than 5 % (including 0 %), an average grain size of the tempered martensitic phase is 8 µm or less, and an amount of C in the retained austenite phase is less than 0.7 mass%."
CITATION LIST Patent Literature
• PTL 1: JP 3887235 B
• PTL 2: JP 5953693 B
• PTL 3: JP 6052472 B
SUMMARY (Technical Problem)
• The current situation is that impact energy absorbing members of automobiles, such as front side members and rear side members, are limited to steel sheets having a tensile strength (hereinafter also referred to as TS) of 590 MPa grade.
• In order to increase energy absorbed upon impact (hereinafter also referred to as impact absorption energy), increasing yield stress (hereinafter also referred to as YS) is effective. However, increasing the TS and YS of a steel sheet generally reduces formability, and particularly ductility, strain hardenability, and hole expansion formability. These properties correlate with a member's resistance to cracking in bending crush tests and axial crush tests that simulate crash tests. Therefore, when steel sheets having higher TS and YS are applied to the impact energy absorbing members of automobiles, the steel sheets are not only more difficult to form, but also crack in tests that simulate crash tests. In other words, actual impact absorption energy is not as high as might be assumed from the YS value. Therefore, the impact energy absorbing members are currently limited to steel sheets having a TS of 590 MPa grade. Strain hardenability and hole expansion formability are correlated with stretch formability and stretch flangeability, respectively.
• In fact, the steel sheets described in PTL 1-3 have TS: 980 MPa or more, and cannot be said to have high YS, excellent ductility, strain hardenability, and hole expansion formability.
• The present disclosure was developed in view of the current situation mentioned above, and it would be helpful to provide a galvanized steel sheet having TS: 980 MPa or more, high YS, excellent ductility, strain hardenability, and hole expansion formability, and an advantageous method of producing same.
• It would also be helpful to provide a member made from the galvanized steel sheet and a method of producing same.
• Here, high YS, excellent ductility, strain hardenability, and hole expansion formability are defined as follows,
• YS measured by a tensile test in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standard JIS Z 2241 satisfies the following formula, depending on TS measured by the tensile test:
  • 550 MPa ≤ YS when 980 MPa ≤ TS < 1,180 MPa
  • 700 MPa ≤ YS when 1,180 MPa ≤ TS < 1,310 MPa
  • 800 MPa ≤ YS when 1,310 MPa ≤ TS
• Total elongation (El) measured by a tensile test in accordance with JIS Z 2241 satisfies the following formula, depending on TS measured by the tensile test:
  • 13.0 % ≤ El when 980 MPa ≤ TS < 1,180 MPa
  • 12.0 % ≤ El when 1,180 MPa ≤ TS < 1,310 MPa
  • 10.0 % ≤ El when 1,310 MPa ≤ TS
• n value / YR measured by a tensile test in accordance with JIS Z 2241 satisfies the following formula: $$\mathrm{n}\mathrm{value}/\mathrm{YR}\ge 0.070$$
  
• Further, maximum hole expansion ratio (λ), as measured by a hole expanding test in accordance with JIS Z 2256, is 20 % or more.
(Solution to Problem)
• The inventors conducted intensive studies to solve the technical problem outlined above.
• As a result, by appropriately adjusting a chemical composition of a base steel sheet of a galvanized steel sheet and microstructure of the base steel sheet of the galvanized steel sheet such that:
• area ratio of ferrite: 65.0 % or less (including 0 %),
• area ratio of bainitic ferrite: 5.0 % or more and 40.0 % or less,
• area ratio of tempered martensite: 0.5 % or more and 80.0 % or less,
• area ratio of retained austenite: 3.0 % or more,
• area ratio of fresh martensite: 20.0 % or less (including 0 %),
• S_BF + S_TM + 2 × S_MA: 65.0 % or more,
• S_MA1/S_MA: 0.80 or less, and
• S_MA2/S_MA: 0.20 or more,
• the inventors found that a galvanized steel sheet having a TS of 980 MPa or more, high YS, excellent ductility, strain hardenability, and hole expansion formability may be obtained.
• The present disclosure is based on these discoveries and further studies.
• Primary features of the present disclosure are as follows.
1. 1. A galvanized steel sheet comprising a base steel sheet and a galvanized layer on a surface of the base steel sheet, wherein
   the base steel sheet comprises:
   • a chemical composition containing (consisting of), in mass%,
   • C: 0.050 % or more and 0.400 % or less,
   • Si: 0.20 % or more and 3.00 % or less,
   • Mn: 1.00 % or more and less than 3.50 %,
   • P: 0.001 % or more and 0.100 % or less,
   • S: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Al: 0.010 % or more and 2.000 % or less,
   • N: 0.0100 % or less,
   • where carbon equivalent Ceq is 0.540 % or more, and the balance is Fe and inevitable impurity,
   • further, the base steel sheet has a microstructure wherein
   • area ratio of ferrite: 65.0 % or less (including 0 %),
   • area ratio of bainitic ferrite: 5.0 % or more and 40.0 % or less,
   • area ratio of tempered martensite: 0.5 % or more and 80.0 % or less,
   • area ratio of retained austenite: 3.0 % or more,
   • area ratio of fresh martensite: 20.0 % or less (including 0 %),
   • S_BF + S_TM + 2 × S_MA: 65.0 % or more,
   • S_MA1/S_MA: 0.80 or less, and
   • S_MA2/S_MA: 0.20 or more, and
   • tensile strength is 980 MPa or more,
   • wherein
   • S_BF is area ratio of the bainitic ferrite,
   • S_TM is area ratio of the tempered martensite,
   • S_MA is area ratio of a hard secondary phase consisting of the retained austenite and fresh martensite,
   • S_MA1 is a total area ratio of island regions among island regions constituting the hard secondary phase that have an equivalent circular diameter of 2.0 µm or more where 20 % or less of the circumference is in contact with tempered martensite, and
   • S_MA2 is a total area ratio of island regions among island regions constituting the hard secondary phase where 1 % or more of the circumference is in contact with bainitic ferrite.
2. 2. The galvanized steel sheet of aspect 1, wherein the chemical composition of the base steel sheet further contains, in mass%, at least one selected from the group consisting of
   • Ti: 0.200 % or less,
   • Nb: 0.200 % or less,
   • V: 0.100 % or less,
   • B: 0.0100 % or less,
   • Cu: 1.000 % or less,
   • Cr: 1.000 % or less,
   • Ni: 1.000 % or less,
   • Mo: 0.500 % or less,
   • Sb: 0.200 % or less,
   • Sn: 0.200 % or less,
   • Ta: 0.100 % or less,
   • W: 0.500 % or less,
   • Mg: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Zn: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Co: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Zr: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Ca: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Ce: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Se: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Te: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Ge: 0.0200 % or less,
   • As: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Sr: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Cs: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Hf: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Pb: 0.0200 % or less,
   • Bi: 0.0200 % or less, and
   • REM: 0.0200 % or less.
3. 3. The galvanized steel sheet of aspect 1 or 2, wherein S_MA3/S_MA is 0.05 or more in the microstructure of the base steel sheet,
   wherein
   S_MA3 is a total area ratio of island regions among island regions constituting the hard secondary phase where 1 % or more of the circumference is in contact with bainitic ferrite and more than 20 % of the circumference is in contact with tempered martensite.
4. 4. The galvanized steel sheet of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein an amount of diffusible hydrogen in the base steel sheet is 0.50 mass ppm or less.
5. 5. The galvanized steel sheet of any one of aspects 1 to 4, further comprising a decarburized layer.
6. 6. The galvanized steel sheet of any one of aspects 1 to 5, further comprising a metal coating or plating layer at least on one side between the base steel sheet and the galvanized layer.
7. 7. The galvanized steel sheet of aspect 6, wherein the metal coating or plating layer is an Fe-based coating or plating layer.
8. 8. The galvanized steel sheet of any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the galvanized layer is a hot-dip galvanized layer or a galvannealed layer.
9. 9. A member made using the galvanized steel sheet of any one of aspects 1 to 8.
10. 10. A method of producing a galvanized steel sheet, the method comprising:
    • a hot rolling process, in which a steel slab having the chemical composition of aspect 1 or 2 is hot rolled to make a hot-rolled steel sheet;
    • a cold rolling process, in which the hot-rolled steel sheet is cold rolled into a cold-rolled steel sheet;
    • an annealing process, in which the cold-rolled steel sheet is annealed at an annealing temperature of 760 °C or more and 900 °C or less for an annealing time of 20 s or more;
    • a first cooling process, in which the cold-rolled steel sheet is cooled to a first cooling stop temperature of 300 °C or more and 550 °C or less;
    • a holding process, in which the cold-rolled steel sheet is held at a temperature range of 300 °C or more and 550 °C or less for 3 s or more and 600 s or less;
    • a coating process, in which the cold-rolled steel sheet is subject to a galvanizing treatment to become the galvanized steel sheet;
    • a second cooling process, in which the galvanized steel sheet is cooled to a second cooling stop temperature of 100 °C or more and less than 300 °C; and
    • a reheating process, in which the galvanized steel sheet is reheated to a reheating temperature of (the second cooling stop temperature + 50 °C) or more and 500 °C or less, and the galvanized steel sheet is held at a temperature range of (the second cooling stop temperature + 50 °C) or more and 500 °C or less for 10 s or more and 2,000 s or less, wherein
    • a relationship between the first cooling stop temperature and a temperature of a galvanizing bath in the galvanizing treatment satisfies the following Formula (1), $$-150°\mathrm{C}\le {\mathrm{T}}_0-{\mathrm{T}}_1\le 50°\mathrm{C}$$
      
    • where T₀ is the first cooling stop temperature (°C) and T₁ is the temperature of the galvanizing bath in the galvanizing treatment (°C).
11. 11. The method of producing a galvanized steel sheet of aspect 10, wherein a dew point of the annealing process is more than -30 °C.
12. 12. The method of producing a galvanized steel sheet of aspect 10 or 11, further comprising a metal coating or plating treatment process after the cold rolling process and before the annealing process, in which a metal coating or plating layer is formed on at least one surface of the cold-rolled steel sheet.
13. 13. The method of producing a galvanized steel sheet of aspect 12, wherein the metal coating or plating layer is an Fe-based coating or plating layer.
14. 14. The method of producing a galvanized steel sheet of any one of aspects 10 to 13, wherein the galvanizing treatment is a hot-dip galvanizing treatment or a hot-dip galvannealing treatment.
15. 15. A method of producing a member, wherein the galvanized steel sheet of any one of aspects 1 to 8 is subjected to at least one of a forming process and a joining process to make the member.
(Advantageous Effect)
• According to the present disclosure, the galvanized steel sheet having a TS of 980 MPa or more, high YS, excellent ductility, strain hardenability, and hole expansion formability is obtainable. Further, the member made from the galvanized steel sheet of the present disclosure has high strength and excellent anti-crash properties, and is therefore extremely advantageous for use in impact energy absorbing members of automobiles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In the accompanying drawings:
• FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a microstructure image from a scanning electron microscope (SEM) used for microstructure identification, and FIG. 1B is a color-coded microstructure image of FIG. 1A made using Adobe Photoshop by Adobe Systems Inc.;
• FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a microstructure image from a SEM used to identify island regions in a hard secondary phase, in particular including island regions identified as MA1, and FIG. 2B is a color-coded microstructure image of FIG. 2A made using Adobe Photoshop by Adobe Systems Inc.;
• FIG. 3A illustrates an example of a microstructure image from a SEM used to identify island regions in the hard secondary phase, in particular including island regions identified as MA2, and FIG. 3B is a color-coded microstructure image of FIG. 3A made using Adobe Photoshop by Adobe Systems Inc.;
• FIG. 4A illustrates an example of a microstructure image from a SEM used to identify island regions in the hard secondary phase, in particular including island regions identified as MA3, and FIG. 4B is a color-coded microstructure image of FIG. 4A made using Adobe Photoshop by Adobe Systems Inc.; and
• FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of evaluating resistance weld crack resistance at a welded portion, an upper part of FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of a sheet combination after the resistance spot welding of the evaluation, and a lower part of FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-section taken along the line A-A in the upper part.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure.
[1] Galvanized steel sheet
• First, a chemical composition of a base steel sheet of a galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described. Hereinafter, although the unit in all chemical compositions is "mass%", this may be indicated simply as "%", unless otherwise specified.
C: 0.050 % or more and 0.400 % or less
• C is an element effective for securing TS of 980 MPa or more and high YS by generating appropriate amounts of fresh martensite, tempered martensite, bainitic ferrite and retained austenite. Here, when the C content is less than 0.050 %, an area ratio of ferrite increases, making achieving a TS of 980 MPa or more difficult. This also leads to a decrease in YS. On the other hand, when the C content exceeds 0.400 %, carbon concentration in the retained austenite increases excessively. Therefore, when a steel sheet is punched, hardness of fresh martensite formed from retained austenite increases significantly. As a result, crack propagation during hole expansion is accelerated in the steel sheet after the punching process (that is, leading to a reduction in hole expansion formability).
• Therefore, the C content is 0.050 % or more and 0.400 % or less. The C content is preferably 0.100 % or more. Further, the C content is preferably 0.300 % or less.
Si: 0.20 % or more and 3.00 % or less
• Si suppresses carbide formation during annealing and promotes formation of retained austenite. In other words, Si is an element that affects an area ratio of retained austenite and carbon concentration in the retained austenite. Here, when Si content is less than 0.20 %, an area ratio of retained austenite decreases and ductility is reduced. On the other hand, when the Si content exceeds 3.00%, the area ratio of ferrite increases excessively and achieving a TS of 980 MPa or more becomes difficult. This also leads to a decrease in YS. Further, the carbon concentration in the retained austenite increases excessively. Therefore, when a steel sheet is punched, hardness of fresh martensite formed from retained austenite increases significantly. As a result, crack propagation during hole expansion is accelerated in the steel sheet after the punching process (that is, leading to a reduction in hole expansion formability).
• Therefore, the Si content is 0.20 % or more and 3.00 % or less. The Si content is preferably 0.40 % or more. Further, the Si content is preferably 2.00 % or less, since there is concern about a decrease in resistance weld crack resistance when the Si content exceeds 2.00 %.
Mn: 1.00 % or more and less than 3.50 %
• Mn is an element that adjusts area ratios such as those of bainitic ferrite and tempered martensite. Here, when Mn content is less than 1.00 %, the area ratio of ferrite increases excessively, making achieving a TS of 980 MPa or more difficult. This also leads to a decrease in YS. On the other hand, when the Mn content is 3.50 % or more, the area ratio of bainitic ferrite decreases and the area ratio of tempered martensite increases excessively. As a result, desired ductility is not achieved.
• Therefore, the Mn content is 1.00 % or more and less than 3.50 %. The Mn content is preferably 1.80 % or more. Further, the Mn content is preferably less than 3.20 %.
P: 0.001 % or more and 0.100 % or less
• P is an element that acts as a solid solution strengthener and increases steel sheet strength. To achieve this effect, P content is 0.001% or more. On the other hand, when the P content exceeds 0.100 %, P segregates to a prior austenite grain boundary and embrittles the grain boundary. Therefore, when steel sheets are punched, an amount of void formation increases, leading to a decrease in hole expansion formability.
• Therefore, the P content is 0.001 % or more and 0.100 % or less. The P content is preferably 0.030 % or less.
S: 0.0200 % or less
• S is present in steel as sulfide. In particular, when S content exceeds 0.0200 %, steel sheet ultimate deformability is reduced. Therefore, when steel sheets are punched, an amount of void formation increases, leading to a decrease in hole expansion formability.
• The S content is therefore 0.0200 % or less. The S content is preferably 0.0080 % or less. Although a lower limit of S content is not particularly specified, the S content is preferably 0.0001 % or more in view of production technology constraints.
Al: 0.010 % or more and 2.000 % or less
• Al suppresses carbide formation during annealing and promotes formation of retained austenite. In other words, Al is an element that affects the area ratio of retained austenite and the carbon concentration in the retained austenite. To obtain this effect, the Al content is 0.010 % or more. On the other hand, when the Al content exceeds 2.000 %, the area ratio of ferrite increases excessively, making achieving a TS of 980 MPa or more difficult. This also leads to a decrease in YS.
• Therefore, the Al content is 0.010 % or more and 2.000 % or less. The Al content is preferably 0.015 % or more. Further, the Al content is preferably 1.000 % or less.
N: 0.0100 % or less
• N is present in steel as nitride. In particular, when N content exceeds 0.0100 %, steel sheet ultimate deformability is reduced. Therefore, when steel sheets are punched, an amount of void formation increases, leading to a decrease in hole expansion formability.
• The N content is therefore 0.0100 % or less. Further, the N content is preferably 0.0050 % or less. Although a lower limit of N content is not particularly specified, the N content is preferably 0.0005 % or more in view of production technology constraints.
Carbon equivalent Ceq: 0.540 % or more
• The carbon equivalent Ceq affects TS. In particular, when the carbon equivalent Ceq is less than 0.540 %, achieving a TS of 980 MPa or more becomes difficult. The carbon equivalent Ceq is therefore 0.540 % or more.
• Here, the carbon equivalent Ceq is defined by the following formula. $$\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{equivalent}\mathrm{Ceq}=\left[\mathrm{C}\%\right]+\left(\left[\mathrm{Si}\%\right]/24\right)+\left(\left[\mathrm{Mn}\%\right]/6\right)+\left(\left[\begin{array}{l}\mathrm{Ni}\\ \%\end{array}\right]/40\right)\left(\left[\mathrm{Cr}\%\right]/5\right)+\left(\left[\mathrm{Mo}\%\right]/4\right)+\left(\left[\mathrm{V}\%\right]/14\right)$$

  
• The [element symbol %] in the above formula represents the content (mass%) of the element in the chemical composition of the base steel sheet. Elements not included in the chemical composition of the base steel sheet are calculated as 0.
• Basic composition of the base steel sheet of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described above. The base steel sheet of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the basic composition above, with the balance being Fe (iron) and inevitable impurity. Here, the base steel sheet of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure preferably has a chemical composition including the basic composition above, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity. In addition to the above basic composition, the base steel sheet of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may contain at least one of the components selected from the group listed below. The components listed below do not have a lower limit because the effect of the present disclosure is obtainable whenever content is equal to or less than the upper limit indicated below. When any of the following components are included below an appropriate lower limit described below, such a component is included as an inevitable impurity.
• Ti: 0.200 % or less,
• Nb: 0.200 % or less,
• V: 0.100 % or less,
• B: 0.0100 % or less,
• Cu: 1.000 % or less,
• Cr: 1.000 % or less,
• Ni: 1.000 % or less,
• Mo: 0.500 % or less,
• Sb: 0.200 % or less,
• Sn: 0.200 % or less,
• Ta: 0.100 % or less,
• W: 0.500 % or less,
• Mg: 0.0200 % or less,
• Zn: 0.0200 % or less,
• Co: 0.0200 % or less,
• Zr: 0.0200 % or less,
• Ca: 0.0200 % or less,
• Ce: 0.0200 % or less,
• Se: 0.0200 % or less,
• Te: 0.0200 % or less,
• Ge: 0.0200 % or less,
• As: 0.0200 % or less,
• Sr: 0.0200 % or less,
• Cs: 0.0200 % or less,
• Hf: 0.0200 % or less,
• Pb: 0.0200 % or less,
• Bi: 0.0200 % or less, and
• REM: 0.0200 % or less.
Ti: 0.200 % or less
• Ti causes TS to increase due to formation of fine carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides during hot rolling and annealing. To obtain this effect, Ti content is preferably 0.001 % or more. The Ti content is more preferably 0.005 % or more. On the other hand, when the Ti content exceeds 0.200 %, a large amount of coarse precipitates and inclusions may be formed. In such cases, when diffusible hydrogen is present in the steel sheet, the coarse precipitates and inclusions may become initiation points of cracks during hole expanding tests, that is, hole expansion formability may decrease. Therefore, when Ti is included, the Ti content is preferably 0.200 % or less. The Ti content is more preferably 0.060 % or less.
Nb: 0.200 % or less
• Nb, like Ti, causes TS to increase due to formation of fine carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides during hot rolling and annealing. To obtain this effect, Nb content is preferably 0.001 % or more. The Nb content is more preferably 0.005 % or more. On the other hand, when the Nb content exceeds 0.200 %, a large amount of coarse precipitates and inclusions may be formed. In such cases, when diffusible hydrogen is present in the steel sheet, the coarse precipitates and inclusions may become initiation points of cracks during hole expanding tests, that is, hole expansion formability may decrease. Therefore, when Nb is included, the Nb content is preferably 0.200 % or less. The Nb content is more preferably 0.060 % or less.
V: 0.100 % or less
• V, like Ti and Nb, causes TS to increase due to formation of fine carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides during hot rolling and annealing. To obtain this effect, V content is preferably 0.001 % or more. The V content is more preferably 0.005 % or more. On the other hand, when the V content exceeds 0.100 %, a large amount of coarse precipitates and inclusions may be formed. In such cases, when diffusible hydrogen is present in the steel sheet, the coarse precipitates and inclusions may become initiation points of cracks during hole expanding tests, that is, hole expansion formability may decrease. Therefore, when V is included, the V content is preferably 0.100 % or less. The V content is more preferably 0.060 % or less.
B: 0.0100 % or less
• B is an element that increases hardenability by segregating at an austenite grain boundary. Further, B is an element that suppresses ferrite formation and grain growth during cooling after annealing. To obtain this effect, B content is preferably 0.0001 % or more. The B content is more preferably 0.0002 % or more. On the other hand, when the B content exceeds 0.0100 %, cracking may occur inside the steel sheet during hot rolling, which may reduce the ultimate deformability of the steel sheet. Further, the reduction in the ultimate deformability of the steel sheet increases an amount of voids generated when the steel sheet is punched, leading to a reduction in hole expansion formability. Therefore, when B is included, the B content is preferably 0.0100 % or less. The B content is more preferably 0.0050 % or less.
Cu: 1.000 % or less
• Cu is an element that increases hardenability. In particular, Cu is an element that is effective for adjusting the area ratio of hard fresh martensite and the like to a more suitable range, and thereby adjusting TS to a more suitable range. To obtain this effect, Cu content is preferably 0.005 % or more. The Cu content is more preferably 0.020 % or more. On the other hand, when the Cu content exceeds 1.000 %, the area ratio of fresh martensite increases excessively and TS becomes excessively high. Further, a large amount of coarse precipitates and inclusions may be formed. In such cases, when diffusible hydrogen is present in the steel sheet, the coarse precipitates and inclusions may become initiation points of cracks during tensile testing, that is, hole expansion formability may decrease. Therefore, when Cu is included, the Cu content is preferably 1.000 % or less. The Cu content is more preferably 0.200 % or less.
Cr: 1.000 % or less
• Cr is an element that increases hardenability, and Cr is an element effective for formation of retained austenite and fresh martensite. To obtain these effects, the Cr content is preferably 0.0005 % or more. In particular, from a viewpoint of achieving a more suitable range of TS, the Cr content is more preferably 0.010 % or more. On the other hand, when the Cr content exceeds 1.000 %, the area ratio of hard fresh martensite may increase excessively, leading to a decrease in hole expansion formability. Therefore, when Cr is included, the Cr content is preferably 1.000 % or less. Further, the Cr content is more preferably 0.250 % or less. The Cr content is even more preferably 0.100 % or less.
Ni: 1.000 % or less
• Ni is an element that increases hardenability. Further, Ni is an element that is effective for adjusting the area ratio of retained austenite and fresh martensite to a more suitable range, and thereby adjusting TS to a more suitable range. To obtain this effect, Ni content is preferably 0.005 % or more. The Ni content is more preferably 0.020 % or more. On the other hand, when the Ni content exceeds 1.000 %, the area ratio of fresh martensite may increase excessively, and may cause reduced ductility and dimensional accuracy during forming. Further, a large amount of coarse precipitates and inclusions may be formed. In such cases, when diffusible hydrogen is present in the steel sheet, the coarse precipitates and inclusions may become initiation points of cracks during hole expanding tests, that is, hole expansion formability may decrease. Therefore, when Ni is included, the Ni content is preferably 1.000% or less. The Ni content is more preferably 0.800 % or less.
Mo: 0.500 % or less
• Mo is an element that increases hardenability. Further, Mo is an element effective for formation of hard fresh martensite and the like. To obtain this effect, Mo content is preferably 0.010 % or more. The Mo content is more preferably 0.030 % or more. On the other hand, when the Mo content exceeds 0.500 %, the area ratio of fresh martensite may increase excessively, leading to a decrease in hole expansion formability. Therefore, when Mo is included, the Mo content is preferably 0.500 % or less. The Mo content is more preferably 0.450 % or less. The Mo content is even more preferably 0.400 % or less.
Sb: 0.200 % or less
• Sb is an element effective for suppressing diffusion of C in the vicinity of the steel sheet surface during annealing and for controlling the formation of a soft layer in the vicinity of the steel sheet surface. To obtain this effect, Sb content is preferably 0.002 % or more. The Sb content is more preferably 0.005 % or more. On the other hand, when the Sb content exceeds 0.200 %, a soft layer is not formed in the vicinity of the steel sheet surface, which may lead to a decrease in hole expansion formability. Therefore, when Sb is included, the Sb content is preferably 0.200 % or less. The Sb content is more preferably 0.020 % or less.
Sn: 0.200 % or less
• Sn, like Sb, is an element effective for suppressing the diffusion of C in the vicinity of the steel sheet surface during annealing and for controlling the formation of a soft layer in the vicinity of the steel sheet surface. To obtain this effect, Sn content is preferably 0.002 % or more. The Sn content is more preferably 0.005 % or more. On the other hand, when the Sn content exceeds 0.200 %, a soft layer is not formed in the vicinity of the steel sheet surface, which may lead to a decrease in hole expansion formability. Therefore, when Sn is included, the Sn content is preferably 0.200 % or less. The Sn content is more preferably 0.020 % or less.
Ta: 0.100 % or less
• Ta, like Ti, Nb, and V, causes TS to increase due to formation of fine carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides during hot rolling and annealing. Further, Ta is partially solid-soluble in Nb carbides and Nb carbonitrides to form composite precipitates such as (Nb, Ta) (C, N). This suppresses coarsening of precipitates and stabilizes strengthening by precipitation. This improves TS and YS. To obtain this effect, Ta content is preferably 0.001 % or more. On the other hand, when the Ta content exceeds 0.100 %, a large amount of coarse precipitates and inclusions may be formed. In such cases, when diffusible hydrogen is present in the steel sheet, the coarse precipitates and inclusions may become initiation points of cracks during hole expanding tests, that is, hole expansion formability may decrease. Therefore, when Ta is included, the Ta content is preferably 0.100 % or less.
W: 0.500 % or less
• W is an element effective for increasing hardenability and adjusting TS to a more suitable range. To obtain this effect, W content is preferably 0.001 % or more. The W content is more preferably 0.030 % or more. On the other hand, when the W content exceeds 0.500 %, the area ratio of hard fresh martensite may increase excessively, leading to a decrease in hole expansion formability. Therefore, when W is included, the W content is preferably 0.500 % or less. The W content is more preferably 0.450 % or less. The W content is even more preferably 0.400 % or less.
Mg: 0.0200 % or less
• Mg is an element effective for sphericalizing the shape of inclusions such as sulfides and oxides to improve steel sheet ultimate deformability and hole expansion formability. To obtain this effect, Mg content is preferably 0.0001 % or more. On the other hand, when the Mg content exceeds 0.0200 %, a large amount of coarse precipitates and inclusions may be formed. In such cases, when diffusible hydrogen is present in the steel sheet, the coarse precipitates and inclusions may become initiation points of cracks during hole expanding tests, that is, hole expansion formability may decrease. Therefore, when Mg is included, the Mg content is preferably 0.0200 % or less.
Zn: 0.0200 % or less
• Zn is an element effective for sphericalizing the shape of inclusions to improve steel sheet ultimate deformability and hole expansion formability. To obtain this effect, Zn content is preferably 0.0010 % or more. On the other hand, when the Zn content exceeds 0.0200 %, a large amount of coarse precipitates and inclusions may be formed. In such cases, when diffusible hydrogen is present in the steel sheet, the coarse precipitates and inclusions may become initiation points of cracks during hole expanding tests, that is, hole expansion formability may decrease. Therefore, when Zn is included, the Zn content is preferably 0.0200 % or less.
Co: 0.0200 % or less
• Co, like Zn, is an element effective for sphericalizing the shape of inclusions to improve steel sheet ultimate deformability and hole expansion formability. To obtain this effect, Co content is preferably 0.0010 % or more. On the other hand, when the Co content exceeds 0.0200 %, a large amount of coarse precipitates and inclusions may be formed. In such cases, when diffusible hydrogen is present in the steel sheet, the coarse precipitates and inclusions may become initiation points of cracks during hole expanding tests, that is, hole expansion formability may decrease. Therefore, when Co is included, the Co content is preferably 0.0200 % or less.
Zr: 0.0200 % or less
• Zr, like Zn and Co, is an element effective for sphericalizing the shape of inclusions to improve steel sheet ultimate deformability and hole expansion formability. To obtain this effect, Zr content is preferably 0.0010 % or more. On the other hand, when the Zr content exceeds 0.0200 %, a large amount of coarse precipitates and inclusions may be formed. In such cases, when diffusible hydrogen is present in the steel sheet, the coarse precipitates and inclusions may become initiation points of cracks during hole expanding tests, that is, hole expansion formability may decrease. Therefore, when Zr is included, the Zr content is preferably 0.0200 % or less.
Ca: 0.0200 % or less
• Ca is present in steel as inclusions. Here, when Ca content exceeds 0.0200 %, a large amount of coarse inclusions may be formed. In such cases, when diffusible hydrogen is present in the steel sheet, the coarse inclusions may become initiation points of cracks during hole expanding tests, that is, hole expansion formability may decrease. Therefore, when Ca is included, the Ca content is preferably 0.0200 % or less. The Ca content is more preferably 0.0020 % or less. Although a lower limit of Ca content is not particularly limited, the Ca content is preferably 0.0005 % or more. Further, the Ca content is more preferably 0.0010 % or more, in view of production technology constraints.
• Ce: 0.0200 % or less, Se: 0.0200 % or less, Te: 0.0200 % or less, Ge: 0.0200 % or less, As: 0.0200 % or less, Sr: 0.0200 % or less, Cs: 0.0200 % or less, Hf: 0.0200 % or less, Pb: 0.0200 % or less, Bi: 0.0200 % or less, and REM: 0.0200 % or less
  Ce, Se, Te, Ge, As, Sr, Cs, Hf, Pb, Bi, and REM are all elements effective for improving steel sheet ultimate deformability and hole expansion formability. To achieve this effect, content of each of Ce, Se, Te, Ge, As, Sr, Cs, Hf, Pb, Bi, and REM is preferably 0.0001 % or more. On the other hand, when the content of any one of Ce, Se, Te, Ge, As, Sr, Cs, Hf, Pb, Bi, and REM exceeds 0.0200 %, a large amount of coarse precipitates and inclusions may form. In such cases, when diffusible hydrogen is present in the steel sheet, the coarse precipitates and inclusions may become initiation points of cracks during hole expanding tests, that is, hole expansion formability may decrease. Therefore, when at least one of Ce, Se, Te, Ge, As, Sr, Cs, Hf, Pb, Bi, and REM is included, the content thereof is preferably 0.0200 % or less.
• That is, the base steel sheet of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises:
• a chemical composition containing, in mass%,
• C: 0.050 % or more and 0.400 % or less,
• Si: 0.20 % or more and 3.00 % or less,
• Mn: 1.00 % or more and less than 3.50 %,
• P: 0.001 % or more and 0.100 % or less,
• S: 0.0200 % or less,
• Al: 0.010 % or more and 2.000 % or less,
• N: 0.0100 % or less,
• where the carbon equivalent Ceq is 0.540 % or more,
• and optionally contains at least one selected from the group consisting of
• Ti: 0.200 % or less,
• Nb: 0.200 % or less,
• V: 0.100 % or less,
• B: 0.0100 % or less,
• Cu: 1.000 % or less,
• Cr: 1.000 % or less,
• Ni: 1.000 % or less,
• Mo: 0.500 % or less,
• Sb: 0.200 % or less,
• Sn: 0.200 % or less,
• Ta: 0.100 % or less,
• W: 0.500 % or less,
• Mg: 0.0200 % or less,
• Zn: 0.0200 % or less,
• Co: 0.0200 % or less,
• Zr: 0.0200 % or less,
• Ca: 0.0200 % or less,
• Ce: 0.0200 % or less,
• Se: 0.0200 % or less,
• Te: 0.0200 % or less,
• Ge: 0.0200 % or less,
• As: 0.0200 % or less,
• Sr: 0.0200 % or less,
• Cs: 0.0200 % or less,
• Hf: 0.0200 % or less,
• Pb: 0.0200 % or less,
• Bi: 0.0200 % or less, and
• REM: 0.0200 % or less.
• with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity.
• Steel microstructure of the base steel sheet of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described below.
• The steel microstructure of the base steel sheet of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a steel microstructure wherein
• area ratio of ferrite: 65.0 % or less (including 0 %),
• area ratio of bainitic ferrite: 5.0 % or more and 40.0 % or less,
• area ratio of tempered martensite: 0.5 % or more and 80.0 % or less,
• area ratio of retained austenite: 3.0 % or more,
• area ratio of fresh martensite: 20.0 % or less (including 0 %),
• S_BF + S_TM + 2 × S_MA: 65.0 % or more,
• S_MA1/S_MA: 0.80 or less, and
• S_MA2/S_MA: 0.20 or more,
• wherein
• S_BF is area ratio of the bainitic ferrite,
• S_TM is area ratio of the tempered martensite,
• S_MA is area ratio of a hard secondary phase consisting of the retained austenite and fresh martensite,
• S_MA1 is a total area ratio of island regions among island regions constituting the hard secondary phase that have an equivalent circular diameter of 2.0 µm or more where 20 % or less of the circumference is in contact with tempered martensite, and
• S_MA2 is a total area ratio of island regions among island regions constituting the hard secondary phase where 1 % or more of the circumference is in contact with bainitic ferrite.
• The reasons for each of these limitations are described below.
Area ratio of ferrite: 65.0 % or less (including 0%)
• Soft ferrite is a phase that improves ductility and strain hardenability. However, from the viewpoint of securing TS above 980 MPa, high YS, and good hole expansion formability, the area ratio of ferrite is preferably 65.0 % or less. The area ratio of ferrite is preferably 35.0 % or less. The area ratio of ferrite is more preferably 25.0 % or less. A lower limit of the area ratio of ferrite is not particularly limited, and may be 0 %. In particular, when 980 MPa ≤ TS < 1,180 MPa is required, the area ratio of ferrite is preferably 5.0 % or more.
Area ratio of bainitic ferrite: 5.0 % or more and 40.0 % or less
• Bainitic ferrite has an intermediate hardness between soft ferrite and hard fresh martensite and the like, and is an important phase for securing good hole expansion formability. Further, bainitic ferrite is a useful phase for obtaining an appropriate amount of retained austenite by utilizing C diffusion from bainitic ferrite to untransformed austenite. Therefore, the area ratio of bainitic ferrite is 5.0 % or more. Further, the area ratio of bainitic ferrite is preferably 10.0 % or more. On the other hand, an excessive increase in the area ratio of bainitic ferrite decreases hole expansion formability. Therefore, the area ratio of bainitic ferrite is 40.0 % or less. Further, the area ratio of bainitic ferrite is preferably 35.0 % or less.
Area ratio of tempered martensite: 0.5 % or more and 80.0 % or less
• Tempered martensite has an intermediate hardness between soft ferrite and hard fresh martensite and the like, and is an important phase for securing good hole expansion formability. Therefore, the area ratio of tempered martensite is 0.5 % or more. The area ratio of tempered martensite is preferably 40.0 % or more. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of securing good ductility, the area ratio of tempered martensite is 80.0 % or less. Further, the area ratio of tempered martensite is preferably 75.0 % or less.
Area ratio of retained austenite: 3.0 % or more
• From the viewpoint of obtaining good ductility, the area ratio of retained austenite is 3.0 % or more. The area ratio of retained austenite is preferably 5.0 % or more. Although an upper limit of the area ratio of retained austenite is not particularly limited, the area ratio of retained austenite is preferably 20.0 % or less.
Area ratio of fresh martensite: 20.0 % or less (including 0 %)
• From the viewpoint of securing good hole expansion formability, the area ratio of fresh martensite is 20.0 % or less. A lower limit of the area ratio of fresh martensite is not particularly limited, and may be 0 %. From the viewpoint of securing a TS of 980 MPa or more, the area ratio of fresh martensite is preferably 3.0 % or more.
• Fresh martensite is martensite as quenched (not tempered).
• The area ratio of residual microstructure other than the above is preferably 10.0 % or less. The area ratio of the residual microstructure is more preferably 5.0 % or less. Further, the area ratio of the residual microstructure may be 0 %.
• The residual microstructure is not particularly limited, and may include carbides such as lower bainite, pearlite, cementite, and the like. The type of residual microstructure can be confirmed, for example, by observation with a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
• Here, the area ratio of ferrite, bainitic ferrite, tempered martensite, and hard secondary phase (retained austenite + fresh martensite) is measured at a 1/4 position of the thickness of the base steel sheet, as follows.
• A sample is cut from the base steel plate such that a thickness cross-section parallel to a rolling direction of the base steel plate becomes an observation plane. The observation plane of the sample is then mirror-polished using diamond paste. The observation plane of the sample is then polished using colloidal silica and etched with 3 vol% nital to reveal the microstructure.
• Then, five views of a 25.6 µm × 17.6 µm field of view of the observation plane of the sample are observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at an accelerating voltage of 15 kV and a magnification of 5000 times.
• From an obtained microstructure image (see, for example, FIG. 1A), ferrite, bainitic ferrite, tempered martensite, and hard secondary phase (retained austenite + fresh martensite) are identified as follows.
• Ferrite: a black-colored area, blocky in morphology. Further, almost no iron-based carbides are encapsulated. However, when iron-based carbides are encapsulated, the area of ferrite also includes the area of the iron-based carbides. The same is also true for bainitic ferrite and tempered martensite, which are described below.
• Bainitic ferrite: black to dark gray area, which may be blocky or irregular in morphology. Further, no, or relatively few iron-based carbides are encapsulated.
• Tempered martensite: gray area, irregular in morphology. Further, a relatively large number of iron-based carbides are encapsulated.
• Hard secondary phase (retained austenite + fresh martensite): white to light gray area, irregular in morphology. Further, iron-based carbides are not encapsulated. When size is relatively large, the color gradually darkens farther away from an interface with other microstructure, and an interior may be dark gray.
• Residual microstructure: lower bainite, pearlite, cementite, and other carbides mentioned above have morphology and the like as known in the art.
• In addition to the observation by SEM, observation of carbides under higher magnification, detailed microstructural analysis by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) in the same field of view, composition analysis by electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA), local hardness measurement by microhardness tester, and the like may be added as appropriate. For example, when identifying the microstructure by the observation by SEM is difficult, adding these measurements as appropriate is effective.
• For example, in EBSD analysis, ferrite has no substructure (no substructure is observed). In contrast, bainitic ferrite, tempered martensite, and fresh martensite have a substructure and a specific crystal orientation in relation to retained austenite. Further, austenite microstructure in an annealing process may be reproduced from these microstructures and confirmed, for example. Such points may be a factor in judging microstructure identification.
• Further, in component analysis by EPMA, C concentration and Mn concentration differing depending on microstructure may be a factor in judging tissue identification. For example, the C concentration of ferrite and bainitic ferrite is lower than that of an area that is primarily tempered martensite (including fine hard secondary phase, carbides, and the like). Further, in ferrite, Mn concentration may be lower than in other microstructures.
• In measuring hardness with a microhardness tester, hardness differing according to microstructure is a factor in judging tissue identification. For example, among ferrite, bainitic ferrite, tempered martensite, and hard secondary phase, ferrite is the least hard and hard secondary phase is the hardest. Further, bainitic ferrite and tempered martensite exhibit hardness between that of ferrite and hard secondary phase.
• Next, the areas of the phases identified in the microstructure image are color-coded (converted to a 4-value image) using Adobe Photoshop by Adobe Systems Inc. (see, for example, FIG. 1B), and the area of each phase is calculated. Then, values are calculated by dividing the area of each phase (the total area of each phase) by the area of the observation area (25.6 µm × 17.6 µm), and multiplying by 100 for each of five fields of view. For each phase (ferrite, bainitic ferrite, tempered martensite, and hard secondary phase), the average of the values is then used as the area ratio. FIG. 1A is a partial image extracted from one field of view of an observation area (25.6 µm × 17.6 µm) of a sample, as a reference for the above description.
• Further, the area ratio of retained austenite is measured as follows.
• The base steel sheet is machine ground in the thickness direction (depth direction) to a 1/4 position of the sheet thickness, and then chemically polished with oxalic acid to prepare the observation plane. The observation plane is then observed by X-ray diffraction. CoKα radiation is used for incident X-rays to determine a ratio of diffraction intensity of the (200), (220) and (311) planes of fcc iron (austenite) to diffraction intensity of the (200), (211) and (220) planes of bcc iron, and a volume fraction of retained austenite is calculated from the ratio of diffraction intensity of each plane. Then, assuming that the retained austenite is homogeneous in three dimensions, the volume fraction of the retained austenite is taken as the area ratio of retained austenite.
• Further, the area ratio of fresh martensite is obtained by subtracting the area ratio of retained austenite from the area ratio of hard secondary phase obtained as described above. $$\left[\mathrm{area}\mathrm{ratio}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{fresh}\mathrm{martensite}\left(\%\right)\right]=\left[\begin{array}{l}\mathrm{area}\mathrm{ratio}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{hard}\mathrm{secondary}\\ \mathrm{phase}\left(\%\right)\end{array}\right]-\left[\mathrm{area}\mathrm{ratio}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{retained}\mathrm{austenite}\left(\%\right)\right]$$

  
• Further, the area ratio of residual microstructure is obtained by subtracting the area ratio of ferrite, the area ratio of bainitic ferrite, the area ratio of tempered martensite, and the area ratio of hard secondary phase as determined above from 100 %. $$\left[\mathrm{area}\mathrm{ratio}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{residual}\mathrm{microstructure}\left(\%\right)\right]=100-\left[\begin{array}{l}\mathrm{area}\mathrm{ratio}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{ferrite}\\ \left(\%\right)\end{array}\right]-\left[\mathrm{area}\mathrm{ratio}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{bainitic}\mathrm{ferrite}\left(\%\right)\right]-\left[\begin{array}{l}\mathrm{area}\mathrm{ratio}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{tempered}\mathrm{martensite}\\ \left(\%\right)\end{array}\right]-\left[\mathrm{area}\mathrm{ratio}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{hard}\mathrm{secondary}\mathrm{phase}\left(\%\right)\right]$$

  
• S_BF + S_TM + 2 × S_MA: 65.0 % or more
  From the viewpoint of securing a TS of 980 MPa or more, S_BF + S_TM + 2 × S_MA is 65.0 % or more. An upper limit of S_BF + S_TM + 2 × S_MA is not particularly limited, but is preferably 130.0 % or less.
• Here,
• S_BF: area ratio of bainitic ferrite
• S_TM: area ratio of tempered martensite
• S_MA: area ratio of hard secondary phase consisting of retained austenite and fresh martensite.
S_MA1/S_MA: 0.80 or less
• The hard secondary phase consisting of retained austenite and fresh martensite (hereinafter also referred to as MA) includes multiple island regions. Among such island regions, an island region having an equivalent circular diameter of 2.0 µm or more where 20 % or less of the circumference is in contact with tempered martensite (hereafter also referred to as MA1) has a low concentration of solute C. In other words, stability of the retained austenite in MA1 is low. Therefore, MA1 does not contribute to securing good ductility. Further, the ratio of fresh martensite in MA1 is high, and therefore MA1 reduces hole expansion formability. Therefore, S_MA1/S_MA, the ratio of the area ratio of MA1 to the area ratio of the hard secondary phase, is 0.80 or less. In particular, when 980 MPa ≤ TS < 1,180 MPa is required, S_MA1/S_MA is preferably 0.75 or less. When 980 MPa ≤ TS < 1,180 MPa is required, S_MA1/S_MA is more preferably 0.40 or less. Further, when 1,180 MPa ≤ TS is required, S_MA1/S_MA is preferably 0.50 or less. When 1,180 MPa ≤ TS is required, S_MA1/S_MA is more preferably 0.30 or less. A lower limit of S_MA1/S_MA is not particularly limited and may be 0.
• Each island region is separated from other island regions of the hard secondary phase by a phase other than the hard secondary phase (each island region is in contact with a phase other than the hard secondary phase around an entire circumference of the island region). Further, specific shape of each island region is not particularly limited, and may be any of circular, elliptical, polygonal, ameboid (a shape extending in a plurality of irregular directions), and the like.
S_MA2/S_MA: 0.20 or more
• Among island regions constituting the hard secondary phase consisting of retained austenite and fresh martensite, an island region where 1 % or more of the circumference is in contact with bainitic ferrite (hereinafter also referred to as MA2) has a high concentration of solute C. In other words, stability of the retained austenite in MA2 is high. Therefore, MA2 plays a crucial role in securing good strain hardenability and ductility.
• That is, when bainitic ferrite is formed under appropriate conditions during cooling after annealing, the solute C that diffuses from the bainitic ferrite into surrounding untransformed austenite does not sufficiently diffuse into the interior of the untransformed austenite. That is, in the untransformed austenite, only an area around the bainitic ferrite may be locally high in solute C. Subsequently, from this state, reheating treatment under appropriate conditions produces a hard secondary phase having a high solute C concentration around the bainitic ferrite. In other words, MA2 is produced. Therefore, the stability of the retained austenite in MA2 is high, and MA2 plays a crucial role in securing good strain hardenability and ductility.
• Based on the above, S_MA2/S_MA, the ratio of the area ratio of MA2 to the area ratio of the hard secondary phase, is 0.20 or more. S_MA2/S_MA is preferably 0.25 or more. S_MA2/S_MA is more preferably 0.30 or more. An upper limit of S_MA2/S_MA is not particularly limited and may be 1. Further, from the viewpoint of securing high YS and excellent hole expansion formability, when 980 MPa ≤ TS < 1,180 MPa is required, S_MA2/S_MA is preferably 0.98 or less. Further, when 1,180 MPa ≤ TS is required, S_MA2/S_MA is preferably 0.70 or less.
• Further, in the steel microstructure of the base steel sheet of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, S_MA3/S_MA is preferably 0.05 or more.
• Here
  S_MA3: a total area ratio of island regions among island regions constituting the hard secondary phase where 1 % or more of the circumference is in contact with bainitic ferrite and more than 20 % of the circumference is in contact with tempered martensite.
S_MA3/S_MA: 0.05 or more
• Among island regions constituting the hard secondary phase consisting of retained austenite and fresh martensite, an island region where 1 % or more of the circumference is in contact with bainitic ferrite and more than 20 % of the circumference is in contact with tempered martensite (hereinafter also referred to as MA3) has an even higher concentration of solute C than MA2.
• That is, MA3 has a particularly high concentration of solute C because solute C diffuses from tempered martensite as well as bainitic ferrite. Therefore, MA3 contributes particularly effectively to securing good strain hardenability and ductility.
• Accordingly, S_MA3/S_MA, the ratio of the area ratio of MA3 to the area ratio of the hard secondary phase, is preferably 0.05 or more. S_MA3/S_MA is more preferably 0.07 or more. S_MA3/S_MA is more preferably 0.10 or more. An upper limit of S_MA3/S_MA is not particularly limited and may be 1. Further, S_MA3/S_MA is preferably 0.70 or less.
• S_MA1, S_MA2, and S_MA3 are respectively measured as follows.
• Ferrite, bainitic ferrite, tempered martensite, and hard secondary phase (retained austenite + fresh martensite) are identified in a microstructure image (see, for example, FIG. 2A, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 4A), as described above. Then, after color-coding (conversion to a 4-value image) using Adobe Photoshop by Adobe Systems Inc., the island regions of the hard secondary phase are extracted, and the equivalent circular diameter of each island region, the circumference of each island region, and the length of each island region in contact with bainitic ferrite and tempered martensite are determined using ImageJ, which is open source. Pixel density of the microstructure image when determining the circumference is 30 pixels/µm or more and 100 pixels/µm or less. Then, from the obtained values, each island region is identified as corresponding to MA1, MA2, and MA3, respectively, color-coded using Adobe Photoshop by Adobe Systems Inc. (see, for example, FIG. 2B, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 4B), and respective areas are calculated. Then, for each of MA1, MA2, and MA3, a total area for island regions identified as either MA1, MA2, or MA3 is divided by the area of the observation area (25.6 µm × 17.6 µm), and multiplied by 100 (area ratio) for each of five fields of view. The average of the values (area ratio) for the five fields of view for each of MA1, MA2 and MA3 is then used as S_MA1, S_MA2, and S_MA3. For island regions that fall under both MA1 and MA2, the area is counted as both MA1 and MA2. The same is true for MA1 and MA3, and MA2 and MA3. Further, FIG. 2A, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 4A are each partial images extracted from one field of view of an observation area (25.6 µm × 17.6 µm) of a sample, as a reference for the above description.
• Further, in the base steel sheet of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an amount of diffusible hydrogen is preferably 0.50 mass ppm or less.
• Diffusible hydrogen content of the base steel sheet: 0.50 mass ppm or less
• From the viewpoint of obtaining better hole expansion formability, an amount of diffusible hydrogen of the base steel sheet is preferably 0.50 mass ppm or less. Further, the amount of diffusible hydrogen of the base steel sheet is more preferably 0.35 mass ppm or less. A lower limit of the amount of diffusible hydrogen of the base steel sheet is not particularly specified and may be 0 mass ppm. Further, the amount of diffusible hydrogen of the base steel sheet is preferably 0.01 mass ppm or more, in view of production technology constraints.
• Here, the amount of diffusible hydrogen of the base steel sheet is measured as follows.
• A test piece 30 mm long and 5 mm wide is taken from a galvanized steel sheet, and the galvanized layer is removed with alkali. Then, an amount of hydrogen released from the test piece is measured by a thermal desorption analysis method. Specifically, the test piece is continuously heated from room temperature to 300 °C at a rate of 200 °C/h, and then cooled to room temperature. At this time, the amount of hydrogen released from the test piece in the temperature range from room temperature to 210 °C during the continuous heating is measured (cumulative hydrogen amount). The measured hydrogen amount is then divided by the mass of the test piece (after removal of the galvanized layer and before continuous heating), and a value converted to mass ppm units is the amount of diffusible hydrogen of the base steel sheet.
• For a product (member) after forming or joining of galvanized steel sheets, a test piece is cut from the product under a general operating environment and the amount of diffusible hydrogen of the base steel sheet is measured as described above. When the value is 0.50 mass ppm or less, the amount of diffusible hydrogen of the base steel sheet of the galvanized steel sheet at a material stage before the forming or joining may also be considered to be 0.50 mass ppm or less.
• Further, the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure preferably has a decarburized layer. In particular, the base steel sheet of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure preferably has a decarburized layer. Cracking due to liquid metal embrittlement (LME) during resistance spot welding may be a problem for steel sheets containing Si, especially for coated or plated steel sheets in which the base steel sheet has a high Si content. However, when the galvanized steel sheet has a decarburized layer, particularly in a surface layer of the base steel sheet, resistance weld crack resistance may be improved even when the base steel sheet has a high Si content.
• Thickness of the decarburized layer, in other words, depth in the thickness direction from the surface of the base steel sheet, is preferably 30 µm or more. Thickness of the decarburized layer is more preferably 40 µm or more. Although an upper limit of the thickness of the decarburized layer is not particularly limited, the thickness of the decarburized layer is preferably 130 µm or less in order to keep the tensile strength within a good range. Here, the decarburized layer is defined as a region where the C concentration of the base steel sheet is 80 % or less of that of the C content of the chemical composition of the base steel sheet according to analysis of the C concentration of the base steel sheet in the thickness direction from the surface of the base steel sheet. The thickness of the decarburized layer is defined as the thickness of the region.
• Further, the thickness of the decarburized layer is measured by surface or line analysis of element distribution in the vicinity of the surface layer of the base steel sheet using an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) on a cross-sectioned sample. First, a resin-embedded galvanized steel sheet is polished and a vertical section in the rolling direction is finished for observation, and then removed from the resin to be used as a sample for measurement. The accelerating voltage is 7 kV and the irradiation current is 50 nA. Surface analysis or line analysis of the sample cross-section is performed in 1 µm steps over a 300 µm × 300 µm area including a topmost surface layer of the base steel sheet to measure C intensity. In order to suppress contamination, hydrocarbons on and around the sample surface are removed by a plasma cleaner in the measurement room and sample preparation room before the start of measurement. To suppress the accumulation of hydrocarbons during the measurement, the measurement is performed while the sample is heated to and held at a maximum sample temperature of 100 °C on the stage. The C intensity is converted to a C concentration (in mass%) using a calibration curve prepared by performing measurements on a standard sample separately. The next step is to confirm that the lower limit of C detection is sufficiently lower than 0.10 mass% due to the effect of contamination control. Details of equipment used and the method of contamination control are described in Reference 1 below.
• Reference 1: Yamashita et al., "Distribution of Carbon in Low-Carbon Steel in the Early Phase of Proeutectoid Ferrite by High Precision FE-EPMA," Iron and Steel, Vol. 103 (2017) No. 11., pp.14-20
  However, the above configuration is not necessarily required because the necessity of contamination countermeasures during measurement depends on the machine model used and conditions. In other words, the measurement conditions are only required to confirm that sufficient accuracy has been obtained, and the measurement conditions are not intrinsically related to the effect of the present disclosure.
• In the C concentration map obtained, a line profile in the thickness direction is extracted from the surface of the base steel sheet and averaged over 300 points in the direction parallel to the base steel sheet surface to obtain a profile of C concentration in the thickness direction. The obtained profile of C concentration in the thickness direction is smoothed by a simple moving average method. In this case, the number of smoothing points is preferably about 21. The thickness of the decarburized layer is then determined by identifying the range in the thickness direction where the C concentration in the intensity profile after the smoothing treatment is 80 % or less of that of the C content of the chemical composition of the base steel sheet.
• Mechanical properties of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are described below.
Tensile strength (TS): 980 MPa or more
• The tensile strength of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is 980 MPa or more. The tensile strength of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is preferably 1,180 MPa or more.
• The yield stress (YS), total elongation (El), strain hardening index (n-value)/yield ratio (YR), and maximum hole expansion ratio (λ) of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are as described above.
• Further, tensile strength (TS), yield stress (YS), total elongation (El), and strain hardening index (n value)/yield ratio (YR) are measured by tensile testing in accordance with JIS Z 2241, as described later in reference to Examples. The maximum hole expansion ratio (λ) is measured by a hole expanding test in accordance with JIS Z 2256, as described later in reference to Examples.
• Further, the galvanized layer of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided on only one surface of the base steel sheet, and may be provided on both surfaces.
• The galvanized layer here refers to a coating layer in which Zn is the main component (Zn content of 50 % or more), for example, a hot-dip galvanized layer or a galvannealed layer.
• Here, for example, the hot-dip galvanized layer being composed of Zn, Fe: 20 mass% or less, and Al: 0.001 mass% or more and 1.0 mass% or less is appropriate. Further, the hot-dip galvanized layer may optionally contain one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Pb, Sb, Si, Sn, Mg, Mn, Ni, Cr, Co, Ca, Cu, Li, Ti, Be, Bi, and REM, totaling 0 mass% or more and 3.5 mass% or less. Further, the Fe content of the hot-dip galvanized layer is more preferably less than 7 mass%. Other than the above elements, the balance is inevitable impurity.
• Further, for example, the galvannealed layer being composed of Fe: 20 mass% or less and Al: 0.001 mass% or more and 1.0 mass% or less is appropriate. Further, the galvannealed layer may optionally contain one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Pb, Sb, Si, Sn, Mg, Mn, Ni, Cr, Co, Ca, Cu, Li, Ti, Be, Bi, and REM, totaling 0 mass% or more and 3.5 mass% or less. The Fe content of the galvannealed layer is more preferably 7 mass% or more. The Fe content of the galvannealed layer is even more preferably 8 mass% or more. Further, the Fe content of the galvannealed layer is more preferably 15 mass% or less. The Fe content of the galvannealed layer is even more preferably 12 mass% or less. Other than the above elements, the balance is inevitable impurity.
• Further, a coating weight per side of the galvanized layer is not particularly limited, but is preferably 20 g/m² to 80 g/m².
• The coating weight of the galvanized layer is measured as follows.
• A coating solution is prepared by adding 0.6 g of a corrosion inhibitor for Fe ("IBIT 700BK" (IBIT is a registered trademark in Japan, other countries, or both) manufactured by Asahi Chemical Co., Ltd.) to 1 L of a 10 mass% hydrochloric acid aqueous solution. Then, the galvanized steel sheet to be the test piece is immersed in the coating solution to dissolve the galvanized layer. Mass loss of the test piece before and after dissolving is measured, and the value is divided by the surface area of the base steel sheet (surface area of a coated portion) to calculate the coating weight (g/m²).
• Further, the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a metal coating or plating layer other than the galvanized layer at least on one side between the base steel sheet and the galvanized layer. The metal coating or plating layer contributes to an improvement in resistance weld crack resistance. Formation of the metal coating or plating layer suppresses resistance weld cracking even when the Si content of the base steel sheet is high. Although a mechanism by which the metal coating or plating layer improves resistance weld crack resistance is not necessarily clear, the inventors understand that when the metal coating or plating layer is between the base steel sheet and the galvanized layer, or in other words on the surface of the base steel sheet, the metal coating or plating layer acts as a barrier layer that hinders the zinc in the galvanized layer from melting and penetrating into the base steel sheet during resistance spot welding, thereby making resistance weld cracking less likely to occur (zinc penetration suppression effect). When the galvanized layer is provided on both sides of the base steel sheet, the metal coating or plating layer may be between the base steel sheet and the galvanized layer on only one side, and may be between the base steel sheet and the galvanized layer on both sides.
• Here, the coating weight of the metal coating or plating layer is preferably more than 0 g/m². The coating weight of the metal coating or plating layer is more preferably 2.0 g/m² or more. Although an upper limit of the coating weight of the metal coating or plating layer per side is not particularly limited, the coating weight of metal coating or plating layer is preferably 60 g/m² or less, in view of cost. The coating weight of the metal coating or plating layer is more preferably 50 g/m² or less. The coating weight of the metal coating or plating layer is even more preferably 40 g/m² or less. The coating weight of the metal coating or plating layer is even more preferably 30 g/m² or less. Here, the coating weight of the metal coating or plating layer is per side.
• The coating weight of the metal coating or plating layer is measured as follows. A 10 mm × 15 mm size sample is taken from the galvanized steel sheet and embedded in resin to make a cross-sectional embedded sample. The thickness of the metal coating or plating layer is measured at three arbitrary locations on the cross section of the sample using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at an accelerating voltage of 15 kV and a magnification of 2,000 times to 10,000 times, depending on the thickness of the metal coating or plating layer, and the average value of the three locations is calculated. The calculated average value is then multiplied by the relative density of the metal constituting the metal coating or plating layer to convert to the coating weight per side of the metal coating or plating layer.
• As a metal used for the metal coating or plating layer, a metal having a higher melting point than Zn is desirable, for example, Fe, Ni, and the like may be used. Further, in addition to the zinc penetration suppression effect, the metal coating or plating layer is preferably Fe-based, because a toughness reduction suppression effect described below may be expected.
• When an amount of Si in the vicinity of the surface of the base steel sheet is high, this may reduce toughness of a weld and thereby decrease resistance weld crack resistance. On the other hand, when the Fe-based coating or plating layer is between the base steel sheet and the galvanized layer, that is, the surface of the base steel sheet has the Fe-based coating or plating layer, the Fe-based coating or plating layer acts as a solute Si deficient layer, and the amount of solute Si in a welded portion decreases. This may suppress the decrease in toughness of the welded portion and improve the resistance weld crack resistance in the welded portion (toughness reduction suppression effect). Further, the Fe-based coating or plating layer also functions as a soft layer and relaxes stress applied to the steel sheet surface during resistance spot welding. This may reduce residual stress in the welded portion and improve the resistance weld crack resistance (stress relaxation effect).
• The Fe-based coating or plating layer may be an Fe (pure Fe) coating or plating layer, and may be an alloy coating or plating layer such as one formed from Fe-B alloy, Fe-C alloy, Fe-P alloy, Fe-N alloy, Fe-O alloy, Fe-Ni alloy, Fe-Mn alloy, Fe-Mo alloy, Fe-W alloy, and the like. The chemical composition of the Fe-based coating or plating layer is not particularly limited as long as the Fe content is 50 mass% or more, but in particular, a chemical composition consisting of Fe and inevitable impurity, and a chemical composition containing one or more elements selected from the group consisting of B, C, P, N, O, Ni, Mn, Mo, Zn, W, Pb, Sn, Cr, V, and Co totaling 10 mass% or less, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity, are preferable. When an element other than Fe is included, the total content of the one or more elements is preferably 10 mass% or less to help prevent a decrease in electrolytic efficiency and to form an Fe-based coating or plating layer, in particular an Fe-based electroplating layer, at low cost. In the case of Fe-C alloy, the C content is preferably 0.08 mass% or less.
• Further, the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a metal coating or plating layer and a decarburized layer at the same time (that is, from the surface of the galvanized steel sheet, the galvanized layer, the metal coating or plating layer, and the decarburized layer (surface layer of the base steel sheet) in that order). This may further improve the resistance weld crack resistance. When there is a metal coating or plating layer, the thickness of the decarburized layer (depth in the thickness direction from the surface of the base steel sheet) may be evaluated by analyzing the C concentration from the surface of the metal coating or plating layer or an interface between the galvanized layer and the cold-rolled steel sheet in the direction of the sheet thickness by the method described above.
• The thickness of the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 mm or more. The thickness of the galvanized steel sheet is preferably 3.0 mm or less.
[2] Member
• A member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described below.
• The member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a member made using the galvanized steel sheet described above as a material. For example, the material, the galvanized steel sheet, is subjected to at least one of a forming process and a joining process to make the member.
• Here, the galvanized steel sheet has a TS of 980 MPa or more, and has high YS, excellent ductility, strain hardenability and hole expansion formability. Therefore, the member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has high strength and excellent anti-crash properties. Therefore, the member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is particularly suitable for application as an impact energy absorbing member for use in the automotive field.
[3] Method of producing galvanized steel sheet
• A method of producing the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described below.
• The method of producing the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises:
• a hot rolling process, in which a steel slab having the chemical composition described above is hot rolled to make a hot-rolled steel sheet;
• a cold rolling process, in which the hot-rolled steel sheet is cold rolled into a cold-rolled steel sheet;
• an annealing process, in which the cold-rolled steel sheet is annealed at an annealing temperature of 760 °C or more and 900 °C or less for an annealing time of 20 s or more;
• a first cooling process, in which the cold-rolled steel sheet is cooled to a first cooling stop temperature of 300 °C or more and 550 °C or less;
• a holding process, in which the cold-rolled steel sheet is held at a temperature range of 300 °C or more and 550 °C or less for 3 s or more and 600 s or less;
• a coating process, in which the cold-rolled steel sheet is subject to a galvanizing treatment to become the galvanized steel sheet;
• a second cooling process, in which the galvanized steel sheet is cooled to a second cooling stop temperature of 100 °C or more and less than 300 °C; and
• a reheating process, in which the galvanized steel sheet is reheated to a reheating temperature of (the second cooling stop temperature + 50 °C) or more and 500 °C or less, and the galvanized steel sheet is held at a temperature range of (the second cooling stop temperature + 50 °C) or more and 500 °C or less for 10 s or more and 2,000 s or less, wherein
• a relationship between the first cooling stop temperature and a temperature of a galvanizing bath in the galvanizing treatment satisfies the following Formula (1). $$-150°\mathrm{C}\le {\mathrm{T}}_0-{\mathrm{T}}_1\le 50°\mathrm{C}$$
  
• where T₀ is the first cooling stop temperature (°C) and T₁ is the temperature of the galvanizing bath in the galvanizing treatment (°C).
• Unless otherwise specified, each of temperatures above refers to a surface temperature of the steel slab and the steel sheet.
• First, a steel slab having the chemical composition described above is prepared. For example, steel raw material is melted to produce molten steel having the chemical composition described above. The steelmaking method is not particularly limited, and any known steelmaking method may be used, such as using a converter, electric furnace, and the like. Obtained molten steel is then solidified into a steel slab. The method of obtaining a steel slab from molten steel is not particularly limited. For example, continuous casting, ingot making, and thin slab casting methods may be used. A continuous casting method is preferred from the viewpoint of hindering macro-segregation.
[Hot rolling process]
• The steel slab is then hot rolled to obtain a hot-rolled steel sheet.
• An energy saving process may be applied to the hot rolling process. Energy saving processes include hot charge rolling (where a steel slab is charged into a furnace as a warm slab without cooling to room temperature and then hot rolled) and direct rolling (where a steel slab is hot rolled immediately after being subjected to heat retaining for a short period).
• There are no particular limitations on hot rolling conditions. For example, hot rolling may be performed under the following conditions.
• The steel slab is temporarily cooled to room temperature and then reheated before rolling. The slab heating temperature (reheating temperature) is preferably 1,100 °C or more in view of carbide dissolution and reduced rolling load. The slab heating temperature is preferably 1,300 °C or less, in order to prevent increased scale loss. The slab heating temperature is based on the temperature of the steel slab surface.
• The steel slab is then subjected to rough rolling according to a conventional method to produce a rough-rolled sheet (hereinafter also referred to as a sheet bar). The sheet bar is then subjected to finish rolling to produce a hot-rolled steel sheet. When the slab heating temperature is low, heating the sheet bar using a bar heater or the like before finish rolling is preferable, from the viewpoint of preventing trouble during finish rolling. The rolling finish temperature is preferably the Ar₃ transformation temperature or more, in order to reduce rolling load. Further, the rolling finish temperature is preferably the Ar₃ transformation temperature or more because a high rolling reduction rate in an unrecrystallized state of austenite may result in the development of an abnormal microstructure elongated in the rolling direction, which may reduce the workability of the annealed sheet. The Ar₃ transformation temperature is determined by the following formula. $${\mathrm{Ar}}_3\left(°\mathrm{C}\right)=868-396\times \left[\mathrm{C}\%\right]+25\times \left[\mathrm{Si}\%\right]-68\left[\mathrm{Mn}\%\right]$$

  
• The [element symbol %] in the above formula represents the content (mass%) of the element in the chemical composition of the base steel sheet.
• Sheet bars may be joined together during hot rolling, and finish rolling may be performed continuously. Further, the sheet bar may be rolled once before finish rolling. Further, at least part of finish rolling may be conducted as lubrication rolling to reduce rolling load in the hot rolling. Conducting lubrication rolling in such a manner is effective from the perspective of making the shape and material properties of the steel sheet uniform. In lubrication rolling, the coefficient of friction is preferably 0.10 or more. The coefficient of friction is preferably 0.25 or less.
• In the hot rolling process, which includes rough rolling and finish rolling, a steel slab is generally turned into a sheet bar by rough rolling and into a hot-rolled steel sheet by finish rolling. However, depending on mill capacity and other factors, there is no need to be concerned with such classification as long as the defined size is obtained.
• The rolling finish temperature is preferably 800 °C or more and 950 °C or less. The rolling finish temperature being 800 °C or more makes the steel microstructure at the hot-rolled steel sheet stage and, consequently, the steel microstructure of the final product more likely to be uniform. Uneven steel microstructure tends to reduce bendability. On the other hand, when the rolling finish temperature is more than 950 °C, the amount of oxide (scale) formation increases. As a result, an interface between the steel substrate and oxide may be roughened, and the surface quality of the steel sheet after pickling and cold rolling may deteriorate. Further, coarse crystal grains may also cause a reduction in the strength and bendability of a steel sheet.
• After finish rolling, the hot-rolled steel sheet is coiled. The coiling temperature is preferably 450 °C or more. The coiling temperature is preferably 750 °C or less.
[Pickling process]
• After the hot rolling process, the hot-rolled steel sheet is optionally pickled. Pickling may remove oxides from the steel sheet surface, securing good chemical convertibility and coating or plating quality. Pickling may be performed in one or more batches. Pickling conditions are not particularly limited, and a conventional method may be followed.
[Cold rolling process]
• The hot-rolled steel sheet is then subjected to cold rolling to obtain a cold-rolled steel sheet. Cold rolling is performed by multi-pass rolling that requires two or more passes, for example, tandem-type multi-stand rolling, reverse rolling, and the like.
• The rolling reduction of the cold rolling is not particularly limited. The rolling reduction of the cold rolling is preferably 20 % or more. The rolling reduction of the cold rolling is preferably 80 % or less. When the rolling reduction of the cold rolling is less than 20 %, coarsening and non-uniformity of the steel microstructure is more likely to occur during the annealing process, which may result in reduced strength and workability in the final product. On the other hand, when the rolling reduction of the cold rolling exceeds 80 %, the steel sheet may be prone to shape defects and the coating weight of the galvanized coating may become uneven.
• Further, the cold-rolled steel sheet obtained after cold rolling may be subjected to pickling.
[Metal coating or plating process]
• In the method of producing the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a metal coating or plating treatment to form a metal coating or plating layer on at least one surface of the cold-rolled steel sheet obtained as described above may optionally be applied after the cold rolling process and before the annealing process described below. A cold-rolled steel sheet that has a metal coating or plating layer on at least one surface before undergoing the annealing process described below may hereinafter be referred to as a metal coated or plated steel sheet. The metal coating or plating treatment method is not particularly limited, but electroplating is preferred from the viewpoint of manufacturability. A sulfuric acid bath, a hydrochloric acid bath, a mixed solution thereof, and the like may be used as a metal plating bath. In the case of electroplating, the coating weight of the metal plating layer may be adjusted by energization time and the like. As mentioned above, a metal coated or plated steel sheet means a steel sheet that has a metal coating or plating layer on at least one surface of the cold-rolled steel sheet before the annealing process described below, and does not exclude a cold-rolled steel sheet that is pre-annealed before the metal coating or plating treatment.
• As a metal used in the metal coating or plating treatment, a metal having a higher melting point than Zn is desirable, for example, Fe, Ni, and the like may be used. Further, formation of the Fe-based coating or plating layer is a preferred result of the metal coating or plating treatment, as an improved effect of resistance weld crack resistance may be expected.
• Further, in addition to Fe ions, the coating or plating bath to form the Fe-based coating or plating layer may contain one or more elements selected from the group consisting of B, C, P, N, O, Ni, Mn, Mo, Zn, W, Pb, Sn, Cr, V, and Co. The total content of these elements in the coating or plating bath is preferably 10 mass% or less of the chemical composition of the metal coating or plating layer of the metal coated or plated steel sheet. Metallic elements may be included as metal ions, while non-metallic elements may be included as part of, for example, boric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, or organic acid. Further, an iron sulfate plating solution may also contain conductivity aids such as sodium sulfate and potassium sulfate, chelating agents, and pH buffers.
• As a pretreatment prior to the metal coating or plating treatment, degreasing and water washing may be performed to clean the surface of the cold-rolled steel sheet, and pickling and water washing may also be performed to activate the surface of the cold-rolled steel sheet. Following the pretreatment, the metal coating or plating process described above is performed. The methods of degreasing treatment and water washing are not particularly limited, and a conventional method may be used. Various acids such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and mixtures of these acids may be used in the pickling. Among these, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, or a mixture of sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid are preferred. Although the acid concentration is not particularly limited, approximately 1 mass% to 20 mass% is preferable, in consideration of the ability to remove oxide coating and the prevention of rough skin (surface defects) due to excessive pickling. Further, the pickling solution may also contain, for example, a defoamer, a pickling promoter, a pickling inhibitor, and the like.
[Annealing process]
• The cold-rolled steel sheet obtained as described above (including the case of the metal coated or plated steel sheet) is annealed at an annealing temperature of 760 °C or more and 900 °C or less, for an annealing time of 20 s or more. The number of annealing cycles may be two or more, but one is preferred from the viewpoint of energy efficiency.
Annealing temperature: 760 °C or more and 900 °C or less
• When the annealing temperature is less than 760 °C, the ratio of austenite formation during heating in the two-phase region of ferrite and austenite is insufficient. Thus, an excessive increase occurs in the area ratio of ferrite after annealing, leading to a decrease in YS. Hole expansion formability is also reduced. Further, achieving a TS of 980 MPa or more becomes difficult. On the other hand, when the annealing temperature exceeds 900 °C, excessive austenite grain growth occurs and a subsequent formation rate of bainitic ferrite slows down. As a result, an appropriate amount of bainitic ferrite and retained austenite area ratio are not obtained. Therefore, S_MA2/S_MA decreases, resulting in lower ductility and strain hardenability. Therefore, the annealing temperature is 760 °C or more and 900 °C or less. The annealing temperature is preferably 780 °C or more. The annealing temperature is more preferably more than 790 °C. Further, the annealing temperature is preferably 880 °C or less. The annealing temperature is the maximum arrival temperature during the annealing process.
Annealing time: 20 s or more
• When the annealing time is less than 20 s, the ratio of austenite formation during heating in the two-phase region of ferrite and austenite is insufficient. Thus, an excessive increase occurs in the area ratio of ferrite after annealing, leading to a decrease in YS. Hole expansion formability is also reduced. Further, achieving a TS of 980 MPa or more becomes difficult. Therefore, the annealing time is 20 s or more. An upper limit of the annealing time is not particularly limited, but is preferably 900 s or less. The annealing time is the holding time in a temperature range from (annealing temperature -40 °C) or more to the annealing temperature or less. That is, the annealing time includes not only the holding time at the annealing temperature, but also the time in the temperature range from (annealing temperature - 40 °C) or more to the annealing temperature or less during heating and cooling before and after reaching the annealing temperature.
Dew Point: more than -30 °C
• In the method of producing the galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the dew point of the annealing atmosphere in the annealing process is preferably more than -30 °C. The dew point being more than -30 °C means the decarburization reaction is promoted and the C concentration in the surface layer of the cold-rolled steel sheet (base steel sheet) is reduced to form a decarburized layer. The dew point of the annealing atmosphere is preferably -20 °C or more. The dew point of the annealing atmosphere is more preferably -5 °C or more. The dew point of -5 °C or more may further enhance the resistance weld crack resistance in the welded portion. Although the upper limit of the dew point is not particularly limited, the dew point is preferably 30 °C or less from the viewpoint of suitably hindering oxidation on the surface of the cold-rolled steel sheet or metal coating or plating layer and securing good adhesion when a galvanized layer is applied.
[First cooling process]
• The cold-rolled steel sheet annealed as described above is cooled to the first cooling stop temperature of 300 °C or more and 550 °C or less.
First cooling stop temperature: 300 °C or more and 550 °C or less
• When the first cooling stop temperature is less than 300 °C, the area ratio of tempered martensite increases excessively and the appropriate amount of bainitic ferrite and retained austenite area ratio are not obtained. Further, untransformed austenite may decompose into pearlite and carbides during the subsequent galvanizing process. Therefore, S_MA2/S_MA and S_MA3/S_MA decrease, resulting in lower ductility and strain hardenability. On the other hand, when the first cooling stop temperature exceeds 550 °C, the area ratio of bainitic ferrite decreases and the area ratio of tempered martensite increases excessively. Further, S_MA2/S_MA and S_MA3/S_MA decrease, resulting in lower ductility and strain hardenability. Therefore, the first cooling stop temperature is 300 °C or more and 550 °C or less. The first cooling stop temperature is preferably 350 °C or more. The first cooling stop temperature is preferably 510 °C or less.
[Holding process]
• The cold-rolled steel sheet is held at the temperature range from 300 °C or more to 550 °C or less (hereinafter also referred to as the holding temperature range) for 3 s or more to 600 s or less.
Holding time in holding temperature range: 3 s to 600 s.
• In the holding process, bainitic ferrite is formed and C diffusion from the formed bainitic ferrite to the untransformed austenite adjacent to the bainitic ferrite occurs. As a result, the area ratio of a defined amount of retained austenite is secured and S_MA2/S_MA and S_MA3/S_MA increase.
• Here, when the holding time in the holding temperature range is less than 3 s, the area ratio of bainitic ferrite decreases and the area ratio of tempered martensite increases excessively. Further, S_MA2/S_MA and S_MA3/S_MA decrease, resulting in lower ductility and strain hardenability. On the other hand, when the holding time in the holding temperature range exceeds 600 s, the area ratio of bainitic ferrite may increase excessively and YS may decrease. Further, excessive C diffusion from bainitic ferrite to untransformed austenite may cause an increase in S_MA1/S_MA and reduced hole expansion formability. Further, excessive C diffusion inside the untransformed austenite occurs, such that a state where only the untransformed austenite around the bainitic ferrite has locally high solute C content is not obtained. As a result, S_MA2/S_MA and S_MA3/S_MA may decrease and ductility may decrease. Therefore, the holding time in the holding temperature range is 3 s or more and 600 s or less. The holding time in the holding temperature range is preferably 5 s or more. The holding time in the holding temperature range is more preferably 10 s or more. The holding time in the holding temperature range is preferably less than 200 s. The holding time in the holding temperature range is more preferably less than 80 s. The holding time in the holding temperature range includes the time the cold-rolled steel sheet remains in the temperature range until reaching the first cooling stop temperature in the first cooling process, and the time the cold-rolled steel sheet remains in the temperature range until the start of galvanizing in the coating process described below (for example, the time the cold-rolled steel sheet remains in the temperature range until it is dipped into the galvanizing bath). However, the holding time in the holding temperature range does not include the time in the temperature range of the galvanized steel sheet after hot-dip galvanizing treatment in the coating process.
[Coating process]
• The cold-rolled steel sheet is then subjected to a galvanizing treatment to produce the galvanized steel sheet. Examples of the galvanizing treatment include hot-dip galvanizing treatment and galvannealing treatment. In the coating process, the relationship between the first cooling stop temperature in the first cooling process and the temperature of the galvanizing bath in the galvanizing treatment (hereinafter also referred to as coating bath temperature) must satisfy the following Formula (1): $$-150°\mathrm{C}\le {\mathrm{T}}_0-{\mathrm{T}}_1\le 50°\mathrm{C}$$

  

  where T₀ is the first cooling stop temperature (°C) and T₁ is the temperature of the galvanizing bath in the galvanizing treatment (°C).
• That is, from the viewpoint of securing excellent strain hardenability, the difference between the first cooling stop temperature and the coating bath temperature must be appropriately controlled, and specifically, the relationship in Formula (1) must be satisfied. On the other hand, when T₀ - T₁ is more than 50 °C or less than -150 °C, S_MA2/S_MA and S_MA3/S_MA decrease, and strain hardenability and ductility decrease. T₀ - T₁ is preferably -120 °C or more. T₀ - T₁ is more preferably -100 °C or more. T₀ - T₁ is preferably 45 °C or less. T₀ - T₁ is more preferably 40 °C or less.
• Conditions other than the above are not particularly limited, and a conventional method may be used.
• For example, in the case of hot-dip galvanizing treatment, after the cold-rolled steel sheet is immersed in the galvanizing bath, adjusting the coating weight by gas wiping or the like is preferable. The coating bath temperature is 440 °C or more and 500 °C or less. Further, as a galvanizing bath, there is no particular limitation as long as the composition of the galvanized layer is as described above, but, for example, a galvanizing bath having an Al content of 0.10 mass% or more and 0.23 mass% or less with the balance being Zn and inevitable impurity is preferable.
• Further, in the case of galvannealing treatment, after hot-dip galvanizing treatment is performed as described above, the galvanized steel sheet is preferably heated to an alloying temperature of 450 °C or more and 600 °C or less and subjected to an alloying treatment. When the alloying temperature is less than 450 °C, the Zn-Fe alloying rate becomes slow and alloying may be difficult. On the other hand, when the alloying temperature exceeds 600 °C, untransformed austenite may transform to pearlite, resulting in a decrease in TS and ductility. The alloying temperature is more preferably 470 °C or more. The alloying temperature is more preferably 570 °C or less.
• The coating weight for both a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet (GI) and a galvannealed steel sheet (GA) is preferably 20 g/m² to 80 g/m² per side. The coating weight may be adjusted by gas wiping and the like.
• In addition to the holding process described above (holding temperature of the cold-rolled steel sheet prior to the coating process), an additional holding process may be performed in which the galvanized steel sheet is held at a temperature range from 300 °C or more to 550 °C or less (hereinafter also referred to as the additional holding temperature range) for 3 s or more to 600 s or less. The additional holding process is a process that has a similar effect to the holding process. Further, the additional holding process may be performed after and/or during the coating process, as long as the additional holding process is performed before the second cooling process described below. Further, when the coating process is a galvannealing treatment, the additional holding process may be performed during the coating process. In other words, the coating process may also serve as the additional holding process. When the additional holding process is performed, the total holding time for the holding process and the additional holding process is preferably 3 s or more. The total holding time for the holding process and the additional holding process is preferably 600 s or less. The total holding time for the holding process and the additional holding process is more preferably less than 200 s.
[Second cooling process]
• The galvanized steel sheet is then cooled to the second cooling stop temperature of 100 °C or more and less than 300 °C.
Second cooling stop temperature: 100 °C or more and less than 300 °C
• The second cooling process is necessary to control the area ratio of tempered martensite and retained austenite generated in the subsequent reheating process within a defined range. Here, when the second cooling stop temperature is less than 100 °C, almost all of the untransformed austenite in the steel is transformed to martensite in the second cooling process. This results in an excessive increase in the area ratio of tempered martensite and decrease in the area ratio of retained austenite. As a result, ductility and strain hardenability are reduced. On the other hand, when the second cooling stop temperature is 300 °C or more, the area ratio of tempered martensite decreases and that of fresh martensite increases. With the increase in the area ratio of fresh martensite, the amount of diffusible hydrogen in the steel sheet increases and the hole expansion formability decreases. Further, an increase in S_MA1/S_MA also reduces hole expansion formability. Therefore, the second cooling stop temperature is 100 °C or more and less than 300 °C. The second cooling stop temperature is preferably 120 °C or more. The second cooling stop temperature is preferably 280 °C or less.
[Reheating process]
• The galvanized steel sheet is reheated to a reheating temperature of (the second cooling stop temperature + 50 °C) or more and 500 °C or less, and the galvanized steel sheet is held at the temperature range of (the second cooling stop temperature + 50 °C) or more and 500 °C or less (hereinafter also referred to as the reheating temperature range) for 10 s or more and 2,000 s or less.
• This tempers the martensite present in the steel at the end of the second cooling process. Further, by diffusing the supersaturated solute of C in martensite into untransformed austenite, stable austenite at room temperature, that is, retained austenite, is generated.
Reheating temperature: (the second cooling stop temperature + 50 °C) or more and 500 °C or less
• When the reheating temperature is less than (the second cooling stop temperature + 50 °C), C diffusion from martensite present in the steel at the end of the second cooling process to untransformed austenite does not proceed sufficiently, and the defined area ratio of retained austenite is not obtained. This reduces ductility. Further, fresh martensite increases. Further, external release of hydrogen included in the base steel sheet becomes insufficient, resulting in an increase in the amount of diffusible hydrogen in the base steel sheet. This reduces hole expansion formability. On the other hand, when the reheating temperature exceeds 500 °C, tempering of martensite present in the steel at the end of the second cooling process proceeds excessively, making achieving a TS of 980 MPa or more difficult. Further, the untransformed austenite present in the steel at the end of the second cooling process decomposes as carbides (pearlite), resulting in reduced ductility. Further, external release of hydrogen included in the base steel sheet becomes insufficient, resulting in an increase in the amount of diffusible hydrogen in the base steel sheet. This reduces hole expansion formability. Therefore, the reheating temperature is (the second cooling stop temperature + 50 °C) or more and 500 °C or less. The reheating temperature is preferably (the second cooling stop temperature + 70 °C) or more. The reheating temperature is preferably 450 °C or less. The reheating temperature is the maximum arrival temperature in the reheating process.
Holding time in reheating temperature range: 10 s or more and 2,000 s or less
• When the holding time in the reheating temperature range is less than 10 s, C diffusion from martensite present in the steel at the end of the second cooling process to untransformed austenite does not proceed sufficiently, and the defined area ratio of retained austenite is not obtained. This reduces ductility. Further, in addition to the increase in fresh martensite, external release of hydrogen included in the base steel sheet becomes insufficient, resulting in an increase in the amount of diffusible hydrogen in the base steel sheet. This may reduce hole expansion formability. On the other hand, when the holding time in the reheating temperature range exceeds 2,000 s, tempering of martensite present in the steel at the end of the second cooling process proceeds excessively, making achieving a TS of 980 MPa or more difficult. Further, the untransformed austenite present in the steel at the end of the second cooling process decomposes as carbides (pearlite), resulting in reduced ductility. Therefore, the holding time in the reheating temperature range is 10 s or more and 2,000 s or less. The holding time in the reheating temperature range is preferably 15 s or more. The holding time in the reheating temperature range is preferably 1,200 s or less. The holding time in the reheating temperature range includes not only the holding time at the reheating temperature, but also the time in the reheating temperature range during heating and cooling before and after reaching the reheating temperature.
• Cooling conditions after holding in the reheating temperature range are not particularly limited, and a conventional method may be followed. For example, gas jet cooling, mist cooling, roll cooling, water cooling, air cooling, and the like may be applied as cooling methods. From the viewpoint of preventing surface oxidation, after holding the product in the reheating temperature range, cooling down to 50 °C or less is preferable. Cooling to about room temperature is more preferable. For example, an average cooling rate of 1°C/s or more and 50 °C/s or less in cooling after holding in the reheating temperature range is suitable.
• The galvanized steel sheet obtained as described above may be further subjected to temper rolling. When the reduction ratio of the temper rolling exceeds 2.00 %, yield stress may increase and dimensional accuracy may decrease when forming the galvanized steel sheet into a member. Therefore, the reduction ratio of the temper rolling is preferably 2.00 % or less. A lower limit of the reduction ratio of the temper rolling is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.05 % or more from the viewpoint of productivity. The temper rolling may be performed on equipment that is continuous (on-line) with the annealing equipment used to perform each of the aforementioned processes, and may be performed on equipment that is discontinuous (off-line) with the annealing equipment used to perform each of the processes. The number of rolling cycles for the temper rolling may be one, two, or more. Rolling by a leveler or the like is also acceptable, as long as the same elongation rate as temper rolling is provided.
• Conditions other than those described above are not particularly limited, and a conventional method may be used.
[4] Method of producing member
• The following describes a method of producing a member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• The method of producing a member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a process of forming or joining at least one of the galvanized steel sheet (for example, the galvanized steel sheet produced by the method of producing the galvanized steel sheet) into a member by applying at least one of a forming process and a joining process.
• Here, the method of the forming process is not particularly limited, and a general processing method such as press working may be used, for example. The method of the joining process is also not particularly limited, and for example, general welding such as spot welding, laser welding, arc welding, and the like, rivet joining, swaging joining, and the like may be used. Forming and joining conditions are not particularly limited and may follow a conventional method.
EXAMPLES • Example 1
• Steel having the chemical composition listed in Table 1 (the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity) was melted in a converter and made into steel slabs by a continuous casting method. The obtained steel slabs were heated to 1,250 °C. After heating, the steel slabs were hot rolled, consisting of rough rolling and finish rolling, to produce hot-rolled steel sheets. The hot-rolled steel sheets were then pickled and cold-rolled (rolling reduction ratio: 50 %) to produce cold-rolled steel sheets having the thicknesses listed in Table 3. The obtained cold-rolled steel sheets were then subjected to the annealing process, the first cooling process, the holding process, the coating process, the second cooling process, and the reheating process under the conditions listed in Table 2 to obtain galvanized steel sheets. The dew point during the annealing process was -35 °C to -30 °C.
• Here, in the coating process, hot-dip galvanizing treatment or galvannealing treatment was performed to obtain hot-dip galvanized steel sheets (hereinafter also referred to as GI) or galvannealed steel sheets (hereinafter also referred to as GA). In Table 2, the type of coating process is also indicated as "GI" and "GA". In the case of the galvannealing treatment, except for No. 20, 27, and 28, the total of the holding time in the holding temperature range and the holding time in the temperature range of 300 °C or more and 550 °C or less in the alloying treatment was 3 s or more and 600 s or less.
• Further, in the case of producing GI, a galvanizing bath was used that had a composition of Al: 0.20 mass% with the balance being Zn and inevitable impurity. In the case of producing GA, a galvanizing bath was used that had a composition of Al: 0.14 mass% with the balance being Zn and inevitable impurity.
• The coating weight was 45 g/m² to 72 g/m² per side when producing GI and 45 g/m² per side when producing GA.
• The composition of the galvanized layer of the final galvanized steel sheet in the case of GI was Fe: 0.1 mass% to 1.0 mass%, Al: 0.2 mass% to 1.0 mass%, with the balance being Zn and inevitable impurity. In the case of GA, the composition was Fe: 7 mass% to 15 mass%, Al: 0.1 mass% to 1.0 mass%, with the balance being Zn and inevitable impurity.
• Galvanized layers were formed on both sides of the base steel sheet.
• Using the galvanized steel sheets thus obtained, the steel microstructures of the base steel sheets were identified and the amounts of diffusible hydrogen were measured, as described above. Results are listed in Table 3. In Table 3, F is ferrite, BF is bainitic ferrite, TM is tempered martensite, RA is retained austenite, FM is fresh martensite, LB is lower bainite, P is pearlite, and θ is cementite.
• Tensile strength (TS), yield stress (YS), total elongation (El), strain hardening index (n-value) / yield ratio (YR), and maximum hole expansion ratio (λ) were evaluated according to the following criteria by conducting tensile tests and hole expanding tests according to the following procedures.
• TS
  • o (Pass): 980 MPa or more
  • × (Fail): Less than 980 MPa
• YS
  • o (Pass):
    • when 980 MPa ≤ TS < 1,180 MPa, 550 MPa ≤ YS
    • when 1,180 MPa ≤ TS < 1,310 MPa, 700 MPa ≤ YS
    • when 1,310 MPa ≤ TS, 800 MPa ≤ YS
  • × (Fail):
    • when 980 MPa ≤ TS < 1,180 MPa, 550 MPa > YS
    • when 1,180 MPa ≤ TS < 1,310 MPa, 700 MPa > YS
    • when 1, 310 MPa ≤ TS, 800 MPa > YS
• El
  • o (Pass):
    • when 980 MPa ≤ TS < 1,180 MPa, 13.0 % ≤ El
    • when 1,180 MPa ≤ TS < 1,310 MPa, 12.0 % ≤ El
    • when 1,310 MPa ≤ TS, 10.0 % ≤ El
  • × (Fail):
    • when 980 MPa ≤ TS < 1,180 MPa, 13.0 % > El
    • when 1,180 MPa ≤ TS < 1,310 MPa, 12.0 % > El
    • when 1,310 MPa ≤ TS, 10.0 % > El
• n value / YR
  • o (Pass): n value / YR ≥ 0.070
  • × (Fail): n value / YR < 0.070
• λ
  • o (Pass): 20 % or more
  • × (Fail): less than 20 %
(1) Tensile test
• Tensile testing was performed in accordance with JIS Z 2241. That is, a JIS No. 5 test piece was taken from the obtained galvanized steel sheet such that the longitudinal direction was perpendicular to the rolling direction of the base steel sheet. The collected test piece was subjected to tensile testing at a crosshead velocity of 10 mm/min to measure TS, YS, El, and n value. Here, the n-value was calculated from elongation and strength at 0.4 times and 0.8 times uniform elongation (U-El). Further, the values of yield ratio YR (= YS / TS) and n value / YR were calculated from the measured YS, TS, and n value. The n value / YR represents the strain hardenability, which is a comprehensive evaluation index of the formability and anti-crash property of the steel sheet. The results are listed in Table 3.
(2) Hole expanding test
• The hole expanding test was performed in accordance with JIS Z 2256. That is, a 100 mm × 100 mm test piece was taken from the obtained galvanized steel sheet by shearing. A 10 mm diameter hole was punched through the test piece with a clearance of 12.5 %. Then, a blank holding force of 9 tons (88.26 kN) was applied around the hole using a die having an inside diameter of 75 mm, and a conical punch having an apex angle of 60° was pressed into the hole to measure the diameter of the hole in the test piece at the crack initiation limit (when cracks occurred). The maximum hole expansion ratio: λ (%) was obtained by the following formula. Note that λ is an index for evaluating stretch flangeability. The results are listed in Table 3. $$\mathrm{\lambda }\left(\%\right)=\left\{\left({\mathrm{D}}_{\mathrm{f}}-{\mathrm{D}}_0\right)/{\mathrm{D}}_0\right\}\times 100$$

  

  wherein
• D_f: diameter of hole in test piece at crack initiation (mm)
• D₀: diameter of hole in test piece at start (mm)
[Table 1]
• Table 1

  Steel sample ID	Chemical composition (mass%)								Ceq (%)
  	C	Si	Mn	P	s	Al	N	Other
  A	0.112	1.47	2.52	0.017	0.0020	0.025	0.0029	-	0.593
  B	0.115	0.91	2.46	0.010	0.0016	0.030	0.0056	-	0.563
  C	0.102	1.52	2.31	0.013	0.0020	0.030	0.0022	-	0.550
  D	0.114	0.88	2.39	0.015	0.0018	0.035	0.0030	-	0.549
  E	0.178	1.49	2.79	0.014	0.0017	0.027	0.0038	-	0.705
  F	0.196	0.89	2.82	0.009	0.0017	0.028	0.0051	-	0.703
  G	0.153	1.50	2.65	0.009	0.0015	0.021	0.0044	-	0.657
  H	0.166	0.89	2.73	0.011	0.0016	0.031	0.0039	-	0.658
  I	0.217	1.51	2.19	0.014	0.0010	0.021	0.0034	-	0.645
  J	0.133	0.91	2.72	0.017	0.0025	0.023	0.0034	-	0.624
  K	0.110	0.83	2.64	0.017	0.0023	0.521	0.0050	-	0.585
  L	0.225	0.03	2.85	0.017	0.0021	0.029	0.0034	-	0.701
  M	0.117	3.56	1.90	0.013	0.0021	0.033	0.0028	-	0.582
  N	0.391	0.57	0.79	0.017	0.0015	0.032	0.0046	-	0.546
  O	0.095	0.52	3.92	0.022	0.0021	0.031	0.0043	-	0.770
  P	0.112	1.22	1.97	0.014	0.0019	0.037	0.0045	-	0.491
  Q	0.052	1.82	3.06	0.016	0.0019	0.028	0.0030	Ti: 0.028	0.638
  R	0.098	0.43	3.02	0.021	0.0013	0.030	0.0040	Nb: 0.025	0.619
  s	0.161	1.52	2.91	0.019	0.0019	0.031	0.0030	V: 0.032	0.712
  T	0.390	0.91	1.17	0.009	0.0023	0.034	0.0033	Ti: 0.024, B: 0.0019	0.623
  U	0.117	1.57	2.65	0.004	0.0015	0.030	0.0019	Cu: 0.18	0.624
  V	0.153	1.43	1.81	0.021	0.0020	0.027	0.0039	Cr: 0.37	0.588
  W	0.329	0.80	1.06	0.009	0.0026	0.036	0.0030	Ni: 0.72	0.557
  X	0.116	1.43	2.95	0.005	0.0015	0.032	0.0038	Mo: 0.41	0.770
  Y	0.104	1.60	3.47	0.011	0.0019	0.038	0.0033	Sb: 0.008	0.749
  Z	0.186	1.36	2.74	0.008	0.0014	0.014	0.0029	Sn: 0.007	0.699
  AA	0.190	1.99	2.53	0.009	0.0025	0.032	0.0037	Ta: 0.007	0.695
  AB	0.189	1.72	2.63	0.008	0.0023	0.028	0.0043	W: 0.021	0.699
  AC	0.170	2.97	2.40	0.014	0.0021	0.023	0.0031	Mg: 0.004	0.694
  AD	0.212	1.19	2.58	0.012	0.0015	0.029	0.0037	Zn: 0.006	0.692
  AE	0.162	1.62	2.92	0.005	0.0029	0.024	0.0042	Co: 0.009	0.716
  AF	0.118	1.68	2.49	0.016	0.0018	0.032	0.0026	Zr: 0.002	0.603
  AG	0.121	1.35	2.59	0.010	0.0019	0.034	0.0036	Ca: 0.002	0.609
  AH	0.109	1.66	2.44	0.014	0.0030	0.036	0.0026	Ce: 0.001	0.585
  AI	0.131	0.59	2.58	0.013	0.0021	0.028	0.0036	Se: 0.009	0.586
  AJ	0.102	1.51	2.64	0.003	0.0027	0.027	0.0038	Te: 0.017	0.605
  AK	0.177	1.53	2.81	0.008	0.0016	0.028	0.0040	Ge: 0.012	0.709
  AL	0.298	1.01	1.94	0.010	0.0018	0.027	0.0031	As: 0.013	0.663
  AM	0.165	1.57	2.93	0.019	0.0020	0.027	0.0034	Sr: 0.008	0.719
  AN	0.172	1.28	2.97	0.013	0.0025	0.026	0.0035	Cs: 0.010	0.720
  AO	0.157	1.38	3.05	0.027	0.0022	0.026	0.0038	Hf: 0.005	0.723
  AP	0.191	1.40	2.72	0.007	0.0020	0.026	0.0040	Pb: 0.004	0.703
  AQ	0.158	0.24	3.47	0.006	0.0022	0.030	0.0023	Bi: 0.003	0.746
  AR	0.136	1.48	3.18	0.020	0.0014	0.024	0.0050	REM: 0.003	0.728

[Table 2]
• Table 2

  No.	Steel sample ID	Annealing process		First cooling process	Holding process	Coating process			T0 - T1	Second cooling process	Reheating process		Remarks
  		Annealing temp.	Annealing time	First cooling stop temp. T0	Holding time	Coating bath temp	Type	Alloying temp.		Second cooling stop temp.	Reheating temp.	Holding time
  		(°C)	(s)	(°C)	(s)	(°C)		(°C)	(°C)	(°C)	(°C)	(s)
  1	A	840	90	470	75	470	GA	530	0	180	400	50	Example
  2	B	820	150	480	40	470	GA	500	10	250	420	80	Example
  3	C	830	250	430	60	470	GA	540	-40	210	310	900	Example
  4	D	870	100	460	70	470	GI	-	-10	260	320	100	Example
  5	E	860	80	460	180	470	GA	520	-10	180	410	200	Example
  6	F	840	80	400	20	470	GA	510	-70	230	420	40	Example
  7	G	870	60	420	45	470	GI	-	-50	250	350	1000	Example
  8	H	850	120	480	550	470	GA	490	10	180	400	60	Example
  9	I	880	120	410	20	470	GA	510	-60	190	300	1100	Example
  10	J	870	40	410	25	470	GI	-	-60	250	300	150	Example
  11	K	890	70	460	40	470	GA	490	-10	230	390	90	Example
  12	E	830	150	480	70	470	GA	530	10	200	340	60	Example
  13	E	820	130	470	50	470	GI	-	0	210	290	70	Example
  14	K	720	250	400	25	470	GA	510	-70	110	410	400	Comparative Example
  15	G	930	200	480	20	470	GI	-	10	150	360	60	Comparative Example
  16	K	780	3	430	150	470	GA	510	-40	120	380	800	Comparative Example
  17	G	860	70	150	15	470	GA	550	-320	150	430	300	Comparative Example
  18	G	870	140	580	10	470	GI	-	110	230	330	200	Comparative Example
  19	G	840	80	440	1	470	GI	-	-30	210	350	40	Comparative Example
  20	G	870	100	450	900	470	GA	500	-20	230	350	900	Comparative Example
  21	G	870	200	470	50	470	GA	530	0	30	350	180	Comparative Example
  22	G	830	40	390	70	470	GI	-	-80	340	420	300	Comparative Example
  23	C	860	120	480	60	470	GA	540	10	180	210	240	Comparative Example
  24	C	870	150	480	25	470	GA	520	10	210	530	60	Comparative Example
  25	C	820	300	440	20	470	GA	540	-30	260	400	2	Comparative Example
  26	C	840	200	490	180	470	GA	510	20	200	410	3600	Comparative Example
  27	G	890	200	470	800	470	GA	530	0	200	350	80	Comparative Example
  28	I	870	110	500	750	470	GA	550	30	160	360	100	Comparative Example
  29	I	830	100	480	30	470	GI	-	10	190	400	60	Example
  30	E	850	130	450	40	470	GA	520	-20	200	390	80	Example
  31	L	820	80	480	10	470	GA	500	10	170	400	30	Comparative Example
  32	M	880	100	400	50	470	GA	490	-70	220	410	60	Comparative Example
  33	N	820	40	480	60	470	GA	540	10	130	390	180	Comparative Example
  34	O	850	80	450	45	470	GA	530	-20	200	400	70	Comparative Example
  35	P	880	100	480	30	470	GA	520	10	230	350	50	Comparative Example
  36	Q	880	180	460	10	470	GA	520	-10	290	400	80	Example
  37	R	860	100	440	40	470	GA	460	-30	200	390	90	Example
  38	S	880	80	420	40	470	GA	550	-50	200	400	60	Example
  39	T	820	200	350	5	470	GI	-	-120	220	380	100	Example
  40	U	840	70	480	70	470	GA	530	10	200	400	1800	Example
  41	V	850	90	480	45	470	GA	510	10	280	340	600	Example
  42	W	790	150	320	15	470	GI	-	-150	150	370	200	Example
  43	X	880	40	440	80	470	GA	580	-30	230	410	80	Example
  44	Y	850	90	440	40	470	GA	520	-30	180	430	18	Example
  45	Z	840	70	480	75	470	GI	-	10	200	390	90	Example
  46	AA	870	110	420	30	470	GA	510	-50	240	410	80	Example
  47	AB	840	80	470	70	470	GA	540	0	160	400	60	Example
  48	AC	890	100	400	75	470	GA	500	-70	160	400	180	Example
  49	AD	830	90	400	30	470	GA	530	-70	220	380	200	Example
  50	AE	840	120	370	15	470	GA	520	-100	250	420	50	Example
  51	AF	840	90	410	4	470	GA	530	-60	200	400	80	Example
  52	AG	800	130	540	10	470	GA	510	70	170	410	300	Example
  53	AH	860	120	430	7	470	GA	500	-40	280	350	180	Example
  54	AI	780	90	480	40	470	GA	550	10	150	400	210	Example
  55	AJ	840	90	500	70	470	GA	520	30	240	420	30	Example
  56	AK	870	100	490	25	470	GA	540	20	200	400	50	Example
  57	AL	850	50	420	30	470	GI	-	-50	110	390	200	Example
  58	AM	870	30	440	20	470	GA	510	-30	260	420	80	Example
  59	AN	830	110	450	60	470	GA	530	-20	210	380	100	Example
  60	AO	850	100	460	40	470	GI	-	-10	200	400	50	Example
  61	AP	870	80	400	60	470	GA	500	-70	200	440	12	Example
  62	AQ	770	200	430	25	470	GA	480	-40	140	410	90	Example
  63	AR	860	40	430	60	470	GA	520	-40	200	400	60	Example
  64	G	870	70	320	25	490	GA	530	-170	240	340	320	Comparative Example
  65	G	860	120	530	70	450	GI	-	80	260	360	110	Comparative Example
  66	T	830	180	430	35	440	GA	520	-10	200	400	70	Example
  67	W	820	160	390	20	480	GI	-	-90	140	390	80	Example
  68	AE	830	150	420	40	500	GA	520	-80	230	380	90	Example

[Table 3]
• Table 3

  No.	Steel sample ID	Sheet thickness (mm)	Steel microstructure														Amount of diffusible hydrogen	Remarks
  			Area ratio of each phase						SMA1		SMA3	Residual microstructure	SBF + STM + 2 × SMA	SMA1 /SMA	SMA2 /SMA	SMA3 /SMA
  			F	BF	TM	RA	FM	SMA		SMA2
  			(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)		(%)				(mass ppm)
  1	A	1.4	11.6	24.9	55.6	5.2	2.7	7.9	0.8	3.4	1.4	-	96.3	0.10	0.43	0.18	0.09	Example
  2	B	1.2	15.1	11.4	64.0	5.6	3.9	9.5	0.6	3.8	1.6	-	94.4	0.06	0.40	0.17	0.25	Example
  3	C	1.6	20.1	31.0	40.3	3.6	4.5	8.1	1.4	4.1	1.6	LB	87.5	0.17	0.51	0.20	0.03	Example
  4	D	1.2	1.2	20.6	69.1	3.6	5.0	8.6	0.2	6.2	2.7	LB	106.9	0.02	0.72	0.31	0.08	Example
  5	E	1.4	0.6	19.5	63.2	11.2	5.5	16.7	1.0	8.2	6.4	-	116.1	0.06	0.49	0.38	0.14	Example
  6	F	0.8	1.3	18.2	67.2	7.9	5.4	13.3	0.1	7.1	3.9	-	112.0	0.01	0.53	0.29	0.27	Example
  7	G	1.0	0.4	23.5	63.6	6.8	5.3	12.1	0.3	7.0	4.3	LB	111.3	0.02	0.58	0.36	0.02	Example
  8	H	1.2	0.5	37.5	50.4	7.3	4.3	11.6	5.1	7.3	3.1	-	111.1	0.44	0.63	0.27	0.13	Example
  9	I	1.4	4.3	21.4	60.5	7.5	4.3	11.8	0.7	6.9	3.7	LB	105.5	0.06	0.58	0.31	0.01	Example
  10	J	1.2	0.0	21.5	66.3	7.0	3.6	10.6	0.8	5.7	3.0	LB	109.0	0.08	0.54	0.28	0.04	Example
  11	K	1.6	19.0	17.9	55.0	4.6	3.5	8.1	0.5	2.9	0.7	-	89.1	0.06	0.36	0.09	0.15	Example
  12	E	1.4	8.9	10.3	67.1	8.6	4.6	13.2	0.3	5.8	2.3	LB	103.8	0.02	0.44	0.17	0.19	Example
  13	E	1.2	10.1	12.2	63.1	6.8	6.7	13.5	0.1	6.3	2.6	LB	102.3	0.01	0.47	0.19	0.20	Example
  14	K	1.6	71.1	5.2	12.8	42	6.7	10.9	4.2	0.7	0.1	-	39.8	0.39	0.06	0.01	0.14	Comparative Example
  15	G	1.4	0.0	2.8	91.1	2.8	3.1	5.9	0.0	0.5	0.4	LB	105.7	0.00	0.08	0.07	0.08	Comparative Example
  16	K	0.8	67.2	6.1	14.5	4.8	7.1	11.9	3.6	0.9	0.2	LB	44.4	0.30	0.08	0.02	0.05	Comparative Example
  17	G	2.0	2.9	1.1	89.6	1.9	2.4	4.3	0.0	0.2	0.2	θ, P	99.3	0.00	0.05	0.05	0.11	Comparative Example
  18	G	1.4	0.1	1.5	86.7	5.2	5.1	10.3	0.0	0.4	0.3	LB	108.8	0.00	0.04	0.03	0.19	Comparative Example
  19	G	1.2	4.2	1.0	84.4	5.4	4.9	10.3	0.1	0.2	0.1	LB	106.0	0.01	0.02	0.01	0.07	Comparative Example
  20	G	1.8	0.0	47.2	17.8	9.9	24.2	34.1	28.5	15.4	0.7	LB	133.2	0.84	0.45	0.02	0.41	Comparative Example
  21	G	1.0	0.1	8.5	90.1	0.9	0.2	1.1	0.0	0.5	0.4	LB	100.8	0.00	0.45	0.36	0.18	Comparative Example
  22	G	1.8	19.2	32.6	0.3	4.0	43.9	47.9	41.9	17.4	2.5	-	128.7	0.87	0.36	0.05	0.73	Comparative Example
  23	C	0.8	10.8	32.3	29.0	1.2	23.7	24.9	0.3	9.7	5.9	LB	111.1	0.01	0.39	0.24	0.83	Comparative Example
  24	C	1.4	5.5	12.6	67.4	1.0	4.5	5.5	0.1	1.5	0.5	θ, P	91.0	0.02	0.27	0.09	0.75	Comparative Example
  25	C	1.2	25.0	6.7	51.4	1.9	15.0	16.9	0.2	4.4	1.8	-	91.9	0.01	0.26	0.11	0.91	Comparative Example
  26	C	1.4	17.5	17.8	53.3	0.9	2.7	3.6	0.0	1.1	0.2	θ, P	78.3	0.00	0.31	0.06	0.19	Comparative Example
  27	G	1.6	2.6	38.2	36.8	4.1	18.2	22.3	19.0	17.2	1.6	LB	119.6	0.85	0.77	0.07	0.24	Comparative Example
  28	I	1.2	6.2	7.1	77.4	3.9	5.2	9.1	0.2	1.3	1.1	LB	102.7	0.02	0.14	0.12	0.11	Comparative Example
  29	I	1.4	61.2	9.9	2.2	14.2	12.5	26.7	13.8	9.1	0.2	-	65.5	0.52	0.34	0.01	0.15	Example
  30	E	1.6	4.1	20.4	61.5	9.4	4.6	14.0	0.4	7.5	4.7	-	109.9	0.03	0.54	0.34	0.59	Example
  31	L	1.4	0.2	14.9	73.3	2.1	9.5	11.6	0.1	4.8	3.3	-	111.4	0.01	0.41	0.28	0.28	Comparative Example
  32	M	1.2	50.2	7.9	31.6	6.1	4.2	10.3	7.8	2.3	0.8	-	60.1	0.76	0.22	0.08	0.22	Comparative Example
  33	N	1.6	55.0	10.7	25.3	3.9	5.1	9.0	3.7	1.9	0.5	-	54.0	0.41	0.21	0.06	0.18	Comparative Example
  34	O	1.0	0.4	2.5	82.2	7.5	7.4	14.9	0.0	1.2	1.0	-	114.5	0.00	0.08	0.07	0.10	Comparative Example
  35	P	1.8	25.1	18.5	45.7	5.8	4.5	10.3	0.1	3.2	1.6	LB	84.8	0.01	0.31	0.16	0.11	Comparative Example
  36	Q	1.2	4.5	9.7	77.1	3.1	5.6	8.7	0.8	2.9	2.1	-	104.2	0.09	0.33	0.24	0.15	Example
  37	R	2.0	9.0	21.5	59.8	5.7	4.0	9.7	0.9	3.7	2.4	-	100.7	0.09	0.38	0.25	0.12	Example
  38	S	1.6	0.4	23.2	61.4	10.1	4.9	15.0	0.7	6.8	4.3	-	114.6	0.05	0.45	0.29	0.27	Example
  39	T	0.8	17.9	6.7	57.0	11.8	6.3	18.1	0.3	4.4	1.3	LB	99.9	0.02	0.24	0.07	0.22	Example
  40	U	1.6	11.5	34.6	44.0	6.5	3.4	9.9	3.9	3.9	1.7	-	98.4	0.39	0.39	0.17	0.18	Example
  41	V	1.8	12.4	18.3	56.7	5.8	6.3	12.1	0.9	4.6	1.6	LB	99.2	0.07	0.38	0.13	0.27	Example
  42	W	1.0	17.5	6.5	66.3	5.4	4.0	9.4	0.4	2.3	0.9	LB	91.6	0.04	0.24	0.10	0.24	Example
  43	X	1.2	0.0	16.1	69.8	9.3	4.8	14.1	0.6	6.0	4.8	-	114.1	0.04	0.43	0.34	0.23	Example
  44	Y	1.2	22	20.4	66.0	7.2	4.1	11.3	0.7	5.6	4.5	LB	109.0	0.06	0.50	0.40	0.34	Example
  45	Z	1.4	17.4	11.2	57.4	10.5	3.5	14.0	0.5	4.1	3.3	-	96.6	0.04	0.29	0.24	0.26	Example
  46	AA	1.6	6.8	16.6	60.9	11.3	4.4	15.7	1.6	5.0	3.7	-	108.9	0.10	0.32	0.24	0.27	Example
  47	AB	1.4	13.7	12.7	61.1	8.2	4.3	12.5	0.6	3.5	1.7	-	98.8	0.05	0.28	0.14	0.26	Example
  48	AC	1.4	8.5	17.8	56.0	12.4	5.3	17.7	0.7	6.7	32	-	109.2	0.04	0.38	0.18	0.20	Example
  49	AD	1.2	17.4	15.5	51.7	9.9	4.9	14.8	0.4	4.2	1.8	LB	96.8	0.03	0.28	0.12	0.21	Example
  50	AE	1.6	7.6	19.2	59.5	9.0	4.7	13.7	0.6	5.8	3.4	-	106.1	0.04	0.42	0.25	0.30	Example
  51	AF	1.2	14.6	14.4	62.6	4.8	3.5	8.3	0.3	2.9	1.5	LB	93.6	0.04	0.35	0.18	0.29	Example
  52	AG	0.8	23.6	8.5	56.9	6.7	4.3	11.0	0.2	2.8	1.0	-	87.4	0.02	0.25	0.09	0.24	Example
  53	AH	1.0	6.3	15.1	65.1	7.1	5.8	12.9	0.8	5.1	3.6	LB	106.0	0.06	0.40	0.28	0.15	Example
  54	AI	1.4	33.4	6.2	48.5	8.4	3.5	11.9	0.6	2.6	0.7	-	78.5	0.05	0.22	0.06	0.21	Example
  55	AJ	1.0	12.3	8.3	68.1	6.6	4.7	11.3	0.4	3.2	1.1	-	99.0	0.04	0.28	0.10	0.33	Example
  56	AK	1.2	1.3	5.9	79.4	7.8	5.6	13.4	0.3	3.7	2.8	-	112.1	0.02	0.28	0.21	0.26	Example
  57	AL	1.4	0.5	24.7	63.2	8.1	3.5	11.6	0.7	5.3	3.6	-	111.1	0.06	0.46	0.31	0.28	Example
  58	AM	1.6	0.7	18.6	62.0	11.5	7.2	18.7	0.7	8.4	6.5	-	118.0	0.04	0.45	0.35	0.31	Example
  59	AN	1.2	14.6	10.7	60.8	9.5	4.3	13.8	0.4	4.0	2.2	LB	99.1	0.03	0.29	0.16	0.17	Example
  60	AO	1.0	2.1	19.4	63.1	10.1	5.3	15.4	0.8	5.5	3.7	-	113.3	0.05	0.36	0.24	0.30	Example
  61	AP	1.2	0.1	27.1	55.2	11.2	6.4	17.6	4.2	8.2	5.8	-	117.5	0.24	0.47	0.33	0.43	Example
  62	AQ	1.4	19.5	13.4	55.1	8.0	3.7	11.7	0.4	3.6	1.4	LB	91.9	0.03	0.31	0.12	0.31	Example
  63	AR	1.2	1.3	8.5	74.3	9.5	6.4	15.9	0.5	4.4	32	-	114.6	0.03	0.28	0.20	0.07	Example
  64	G	1.4	0.1	5.8	79.1	3.6	5.7	9.3	0.1	1.0	0.3	LB, θ, P	103.5	0.01	0.11	0.03	0.02	Comparative Example
  65	G	1.6	3.3	5.9	79.9	42	6.7	10.9	0.1	1.1	0.4	-	107.6	0.01	0.10	0.04	0.03	Comparative Example
  66	T	1.2	17.1	16.7	47.9	12.3	5.3	17.6	0.4	5.8	1.9	LB	99.8	0.02	0.33	0.11	0.29	Example
  67	W	1.4	7.3	12.5	68.0	7.4	4.8	12.2	0.3	3.7	2.1	-	104.9	0.02	0.30	0.17	0.27	Example
  68	AE	1.8	13.6	18.3	53.2	9.8	4.8	14.6	0.7	6.3	3.9	LB	100.7	0.05	0.43	0.27	0.30	Example

[Table 4]
• Table 4

  No.	Steel sample ID	YS (MPa)	TS (MPa)	El (%)	λ (%)	YR	n-value	n/YR	Type	Remarks
  1	A	844	1042	18.2	63	0.81	0.109	0.135	GA	Example
  2	B	781	1023	17.1	61	0.76	0.138	0.181	GA	Example
  3	C	712	1058	18.4	22	0.67	0.141	0.210	GA	Example
  4	D	927	1075	16.0	53	0.86	0.121	0.140	GI	Example
  5	E	938	1211	16.4	68	0.77	0.105	0.136	GA	Example
  6	F	935	1230	15.5	54	0.76	0.116	0.153	GA	Example
  7	G	974	1243	15.4	61	0.78	0.137	0.175	GI	Example
  8	H	813	1214	12.3	28	0.67	0.102	0.152	GA	Example
  9	I	952	1238	14.8	42	0.77	0.133	0.173	GA	Example
  10	J	881	1244	14.1	36	0.71	0.122	0.172	GI	Example
  11	K	802	1027	15.3	52	0.78	0.123	0.158	GA	Example
  12	E	967	1326	13.1	40	0.73	0.139	0.191	GA	Example
  13	E	942	1459	10.5	24	0.65	0.152	0.235	GI	Example
  14	K	516	932	14.7	15	0.55	0.151	0.273	GA	Comparative Example
  15	G	1155	1269	10.3	55	0.91	0.050	0.055	GI	Comparative Example
  16	K	573	964	12.4	8	0.59	0.174	0.293	GA	Comparative Example
  17	G	1041	1102	11.2	82	0.94	0.059	0.062	GA	Comparative Example
  18	G	1144	1275	11.3	68	0.90	0.052	0.058	GI	Comparative Example
  19	G	1149	1263	10.8	41	0.91	0.054	0.059	GI	Comparative Example
  20	G	662	1184	11.0	3	0.56	0.159	0.284	GA	Comparative Example
  21	G	1194	1276	10.2	48	0.94	0.049	0.052	GA	Comparative Example
  22	G	733	1289	12.5	1	0.57	0.167	0.294	GI	Comparative Example
  23	C	744	1293	9.8	13	0.58	0.135	0.235	GA	Comparative Example
  24	C	633	879	10.7	19	0.72	0.102	0.142	GA	Comparative Example
  25	C	849	1132	10.2	11	0.75	0.096	0.128	GA	Comparative Example
  26	C	689	942	11.2	62	0.73	0.098	0.134	GA	Comparative Example
  27	G	727	1252	12.2	5	0.58	0.153	0.263	GA	Comparative Example
  28	I	1152	1269	10.9	67	0.91	0.058	0.064	GA	Comparative Example
  29	I	573	1045	23.4	21	0.55	0.162	0.295	GI	Example
  30	E	906	1220	15.7	23	0.74	0.137	0.184	GA	Example
  31	L	1110	1287	10.1	62	0.86	0.088	0.102	GA	Comparative Example
  32	M	487	942	12.8	2	0.52	0.156	0.302	GA	Comparative Example
  33	N	477	918	13.4	30	0.52	0.136	0.262	GA	Comparative Example
  34	O	1156	1261	10.7	61	0.92	0.047	0.051	GA	Comparative Example
  35	P	652	914	18.3	49	0.71	0.133	0.186	GA	Comparative Example
  36	Q	771	1038	14.4	44	0.74	0.102	0.137	GA	Example
  37	R	821	1041	19.3	63	0.79	0.123	0.156	GA	Example
  38	s	1025	1247	14.2	60	0.82	0.138	0.168	GA	Example
  39	T	987	1260	12.5	38	0.78	0.145	0.185	GI	Example
  40	U	906	1045	16.0	32	0.87	0.129	0.149	GA	Example
  41	V	733	1108	16.4	42	0.66	0.140	0.212	GA	Example
  42	W	903	1213	13.5	55	0.74	0.126	0.169	GI	Example
  43	X	1025	1249	14.8	59	0.82	0.120	0.146	GA	Example
  44	Y	1064	1294	12.7	47	0.82	0.125	0.152	GA	Example
  45	Z	971	1260	15.4	43	0.77	0.143	0.186	GI	Example
  46	AA	1010	1236	15.6	37	0.82	0.127	0.155	GA	Example
  47	AB	1078	1283	14.0	49	0.84	0.138	0.164	GA	Example
  48	AC	969	1241	15.0	51	0.78	0.141	0.181	GA	Example
  49	AD	906	1242	16.1	43	0.73	0.151	0.207	GA	Example
  50	AE	964	1237	16.2	54	0.78	0.134	0.172	GA	Example
  51	AF	867	1064	17.9	77	0.81	0.120	0.147	GA	Example
  52	AG	632	991	15.2	40	0.64	0.132	0.207	GA	Example
  53	AH	809	1085	162	53	0.75	0.110	0.148	GA	Example
  54	AI	745	1092	14.0	32	0.68	0.141	0.207	GA	Example
  55	AJ	762	1072	14.8	51	0.71	0.134	0.189	GA	Example
  56	AK	1140	1253	12.7	66	0.91	0.065	0.071	GA	Example
  57	AL	1028	1276	14.3	58	0.81	0.136	0.169	GI	Example
  58	AM	1060	1239	162	44	0.86	0.126	0.147	GA	Example
  59	AN	1011	1252	14.6	49	0.81	0.141	0.175	GA	Example
  60	AO	1016	1268	14.0	58	0.80	0.129	0.161	GI	Example
  61	AP	931	1223	16.8	29	0.76	0.144	0.189	GA	Example
  62	AQ	753	1250	14.4	35	0.60	0.133	0.221	GA	Example
  63	AR	1124	1277	13.4	46	0.88	0.081	0.092	GA	Example
  64	G	1072	1191	11.1	71	0.90	0.060	0.067	GA	Comparative Example
  65	G	1092	1237	10.7	77	0.88	0.057	0.065	GI	Comparative Example
  66	T	908	1242	14.9	40	0.73	0.139	0.190	GA	Example
  67	W	1003	1239	14.5	58	0.81	0.127	0.157	GI	Example
  68	AE	931	1241	16.9	47	0.75	0.141	0.188	GA	Example

• As indicated in Table 3, tensile strength (TS), yield stress (YS), total elongation (El), strain hardening index (n value) / yield ratio (YR), and maximum hole expansion ratio (λ) were all judged to pass for all of the Examples.
• In contrast, at least one of the following was not sufficient in the Comparative Examples: tensile strength (TS), yield stress (YS), total elongation (El), strain hardening index (n value) / yield ratio (YR), and maximum hole expansion ratio (λ).
• Further, it was found that members obtained by a forming process or joining process using the steel sheet of the present disclosure have excellent properties in terms of tensile strength (TS), yield stress (YS), total elongation (El), strain hardening index (n value) / yield ratio (YR), and maximum hole expansion ratio (λ).
• Example 2
• Steel having the chemical composition listed in Table 1 (the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity) was melted in a converter and made into steel slabs by a continuous casting method. The obtained steel slabs were heated to 1,250 °C. After heating, the steel slabs were hot rolled, consisting of rough rolling and finish rolling, to produce hot-rolled steel sheets. The hot-rolled steel sheets were then picked and cold rolled (rolling reduction ratio: 50 %) to produce cold-rolled steel sheets having a thickness of 1.6 mm.
• Then, among the cold-rolled steel sheets obtained, No. 8 to No. 10 were subjected to Fe-based electroplating as a metal plating process to form a metal plating layer (Fe-based plating layer) on the surfaces of the cold-rolled steel sheet. Specifically, the cold-rolled steel sheets were first degreased with alkali. The cold-rolled steel sheets were then subjected to electrolytic treatment using the cold-rolled steel sheet as the cathode under the following conditions to form a metal plating layer on the surfaces of the cold-rolled steel sheets.
[Electrolytic Conditions]
• Bath temperature: 50 °C
• pH: 2.0
• Current density: 45 A/dm²
• Plating bath: a sulfuric acid bath containing 1.5 mol/L of Fe²⁺ ions
• Anode: iridium oxide electrode
• The coating weight of the metal plating layer was controlled by the energizing time.
• The obtained cold-rolled steel sheets (including metal plated steel sheets having a metal plating layer formed on the surfaces of the cold-rolled steel sheets) were then subjected to the annealing process, the first cooling process, the holding process, the coating process, the second cooling process, and the reheating process under the conditions listed in Table 5 to obtain galvanized steel sheets.
• In the coating process, galvannealing treatment was applied to obtain galvannealed steel sheets (GA). Treatment conditions other than those listed in Table 5 were the same as in Example 1. Galvanized layers were formed on both sides of the base steel sheet.
• Using the galvanized steel sheets thus obtained, the steel microstructures of the base steel sheets were identified, and the thicknesses of the decarburization layer, the coating weights of the metal plating layers, and the amount of diffusible hydrogen were measured, as described above. Results are listed in Table 6. In Table 6, F is ferrite, BF is bainitic ferrite, TM is tempered martensite, RA is retained austenite, FM is fresh martensite, LB is lower bainite, P is pearlite, and θ is cementite. In Table 6, "-" for decarburization layer thickness and metal plating layer coating weight means no decarburization layer and no metal plating layer, respectively.
• Tensile strength (TS), yield stress (YS), total elongation (El), strain hardening index (n value) / yield ratio (YR), and maximum hole expansion ratio (λ) were evaluated by conducting tensile tests and hole expanding tests using the same criteria as in Example 1. The results are listed in Table 7.
• Further, resistance weld crack resistance of the welded portions was evaluated according to the following procedure.
<Evaluation of resistance weld crack resistance of welded portions>
• As a sheet combination, a test piece 2 that was cut from the obtained galvanized steel sheet into 150 mm (long direction) × 50 mm (short direction) with the transverse direction (direction orthogonal to the rolling direction) (TD) as the long direction and the rolling direction as the short direction, was overlapped with overlapped with a test galvannealed steel sheet 1 (thickness: 1.6 mm, TS: 980 MPa grade). The test galvannealed steel sheet 1 had a coating weight of 50 g/m² per side of the galvannealed layer and was cut to the same size as the test piece 2. The sheet combination was assembled so that the surface to be evaluated of the test piece 2 (in a case where the galvanized layer and the metal plating layer is on only one side, the galvanized layer on the one side) and the galvanized layer of the test galvannealed steel sheet 1 faced each other. The sheet combination was fixed to a fixing stand 4 via spacers 3 having a thickness of 2.0 mm. The spacers 3 were a pair of steel sheets, each measuring 50 mm (long direction) × 45 mm (short direction) × 2.0 mm thick. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the long direction end faces of the pair of steel sheets are aligned with the short direction end faces of the sheet combination. Thus, the distance between the pair of steel sheets was 60 mm. The fixing stand 4 was a single plate with a hole in the center.
• Then, using a single-phase AC (50 Hz) resistance welding machine of servomotor pressure type, the sheet combination was subjected to resistance spot welding at a welding current that resulted in a nugget diameter r of 5.9 mm while being deflected by applying pressure with a pair of electrodes 5 (tip diameter: 6 mm) under the conditions of an electrode force of 3.5 kN, a holding time of 0.12 s, 0.18 s, or 0.24 s, and a welding time of 0.36 s, to form a sheet combination with a welded portion. The pair of electrodes 5 applied pressure to the sheet combination from above and below in the vertical direction, with the lower electrode applying pressure to the test piece 2 through the hole in the fixing stand 4. In applying pressure, the lower electrode of the pair of electrodes 5 and the fixing stand 4 were fixed so that the lower electrode was in contact with a plane that was an extension of a plane where the spacers 3 were in contact with the fixing stand 4, and the upper electrode was movable. Further, the upper electrode was in contact with the center of the test galvannealed steel sheet 1. The sheet combination was welded with an inclination of 5° in the long direction of the sheet combination with respect to the horizontal direction. The holding time refers to the time between the end of passage of the welding current and the beginning of electrode release. As illustrated in the lower part of FIG. 5B, the nugget diameter r means the distance between the ends of a nugget 6 in the long direction of the sheet combination.
• Then, each sheet combination with a welded portion was cut along the A-A line indicated in the upper part of FIG. 5B to include the center of the welded portion including the nugget 6, and the cross-section of the welded portion was observed under an optical microscope (200×) to evaluate the resistance weld crack resistance at the welded portion using the following criteria. When the result was A+, A, or B, the sheet combination was judged to have satisfactory resistance weld crack resistance at the welded portion. When the result was C, the sheet combination was judged to have poor resistance weld crack resistance at the welded portion. The results are listed in Table 7.
• A+: no cracks of length 0.1 mm or more were observed at holding times of 0.12 s, 0.18 s, and 0.24 s.
• A: cracks of length 0.1 mm or more were observed at the holding time of 0.12 s, but no cracks of length 0.1 mm or more were observed at the holding times of 0.18 s and 0.24 s.
• B: cracks of length 0.1 mm or more were observed at the holding times of 0.12 s and 0.18 s, but no cracks of length 0.1 mm or more were observed at the holding time of 0.24 seconds.
• C: cracks of length 0.1 mm or more were observed at the holding times of 0.12 s, 0.18 s, and 0.24 s.
• A crack in the test piece 2 is schematically illustrated in the lower part of FIG. 5B, as indicated by reference numeral 7. When a crack forms in the counterpart steel sheet (test galvannealed steel sheet), the stress in the steel sheet to be evaluated (any of the steel sheets in the Examples and Comparative Examples) is distributed, and an appropriate evaluation is not obtained. For this reason, the data in which no cracking occurred in the counterpart steel sheet was used as Examples.
[Table 5]
• Table 5

  No.	Steel sample ID	Annealing process			First cooling process	Holding process	Coating process				Second cooling process	Reheating process		Remarks
  		Annealing temp. (°C)	Annealing time (s)	Dew point (°C)	First cooling stop temp. T0 (°C)	Holding time (s)	Coating bath temp. T1 (°C)	Type	Alloying temp. (°C)	T0 - T1 (°C)	Second cooling stop temp. (°C)	Reheating temp. (°C)	Holding time (s)
  1	B	820	150	-32	480	40	490	GA	500	-10	250	420	80	Example
  2	C	830	250	-31	430	60	460	GA	540	-30	210	310	900	Example
  3	G	870	60	-35	420	45	470	GA	510	-50	250	350	1000	Example
  4	I	880	120	-32	410	20	470	GA	510	-60	190	300	1100	Example
  5	AA	870	110	-33	420	30	450	GA	510	-30	240	410	80	Example
  6	G	870	60	7	420	45	470	GA	510	-50	250	350	1000	Example
  7	I	880	120	16	410	20	480	GA	510	-70	190	300	1100	Example
  8	B	820	150	-26	480	40	460	GA	490	20	250	420	900	Example
  9	C	830	250	6	430	60	460	GA	500	-30	210	310	900	Example
  10	AA	870	110	18	420	30	470	GA	490	-50	240	410	80	Example

[Table 6] P
• Table 6

  No.	Steel sample ID	Sheet thickness (mm)	Steel microstructure														Decarburized layer thickness (µm)	Metal plating layer coating weight (g/m2)	Amount of diffusible hydrogen (mass ppm)	Remarks
  			Area ratio of each phase					SMA (%)	SMA1 (%)	SMA2 (%)	SMA3 (%)	Residual microstructure	SBF + STM + 2 × SMA (%)	SMA1 /SMA	SMA2 (SMA	SMA3 (SMA
  			F (%)	BF (%)	TM (%)	RA (%)	FM (%)
  1	B	1.6	14.5	11.1	65.6	5.2	3.6	8.8	0.5	3.6	1.7	-	94.3	0.06	0.41	0.19	-	-	0.24	Example
  2	C	1.6	19.5	32.4	39.4	3.7	4.4	8.1	1.5	4.0	1.6	LB	88.0	0.19	0.49	0.20	-	-	0.03	Example
  3	G	1.6	0.4	22.5	65.1	6.5	4.9	11.4	0.3	7.1	4.4	LB	110.4	0.03	0.62	0.39	-	-	0.02	Example
  4	I	1.6	2.8	23.3	59.4	8.0	4.6	12.6	0.5	6.9	3.9	LB	107.9	0.04	0.55	0.31	-	-	0.02	Example
  5	AA	1.6	8.2	14.8	61.2	11.0	4.8	15.8	1.5	4.9	3.5	-	107.6	0.09	0.31	0.22	-	-	0.26	Example
  6	G	1.6	0.6	22.4	64.9	6.6	5.0	11.6	0.3	6.7	4.3	LB	110.5	0.03	0.58	0.37	38	-	0.02	Example
  7	I	1.6	5.7	23.2	56.5	7.8	4.6	12.4	0.8	7.0	3.6	LB	104.5	0.06	0.56	0.29	52	-	0.01	Example
  8	B	1.6	15.9	11.0	63.1	5.9	4.1	10.0	0.7	3.6	1.5	-	94.1	0.07	0.36	0.15	10	17.6	0.25	Example
  9	C	1.6	19.6	31.8	39.3	4.1	4.9	9.0	1.6	4.0	1.6	LB	89.1	0.18	0.44	0.18	42	6.8	0.03	Example
  10	AA	1.6	6.1	15.0	62.9	11.8	4.2	16.0	1.6	5.2	3.7	-	109.9	0.10	0.33	0.23	69	13.4	0.27	Example

[Table 7]
• Table 7

  No.	Steel sample ID	YS	TS	El	λ	YR	n-value	n/YR	Resistance weld crack resistance	Type	Remarks
  		(MPa)	(MPa)	(%)	(%)
  1	B	802	1038	18.7	60	0.77	0.135	0.175	A	GA	Example
  2	C	713	1054	18.3	23	0.68	0.142	0.210	B	GA	Example
  3	G	972	1256	14.8	57	0.77	0.137	0.177	B	GA	Example
  4	I	966	1231	13.7	44	0.78	0.131	0.167	B	GA	Example
  5	AA	1003	1230	16.2	37	0.82	0.129	0.158	B	GA	Example
  6	G	958	1253	16.2	41	0.76	0.138	0.180	A	GA	Example
  7	I	967	1239	15.7	65	0.78	0.132	0.169	A	GA	Example
  8	B	771	1014	17.4	60	0.76	0.139	0.183	A+	GA	Example
  9	C	717	1068	18.9	25	0.67	0.143	0.213	A+	GA	Example
  10	AA	993	1216	16.7	46	0.82	0.129	0.158	A	GA	Example

• As indicated in Table 7, tensile strength (TS), yield stress (YS), total elongation (El), strain hardening index (n value) / yield ratio (YR), and maximum hole expansion ratio (λ) were all judged to pass for all of the Examples. Resistance weld crack resistance at the welded portion was also excellent.
• Further, No. 1 and No. 6 to No. 10, in particular No. 8 and No. 9, had excellent resistance weld crack resistance at the welded portion.
• Further, it was found that steel sheets of the present disclosure have excellent properties in terms of tensile strength (TS), yield stress (YS), total elongation (El), strain hardening index (n value) / yield ratio (YR), maximum hole expansion ratio (λ), and resistance weld crack resistance at the welded portion.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1

Test galvannealed steel sheet

2

Test piece

3

Spacers

4

Fixing stand

5

Electrodes

6

Nugget

7

Crack

Claims (15)

1. A galvanized steel sheet comprising a base steel sheet and a galvanized layer on a surface of the base steel sheet, wherein
   the base steel sheet comprises:

   a chemical composition containing, in mass%,

   C: 0.050 % or more and 0.400 % or less,

   Si: 0.20 % or more and 3.00 % or less,

   Mn: 1.00 % or more and less than 3.50 %,

   P: 0.001 % or more and 0.100 % or less,

   S: 0.0200 % or less,

   Al: 0.010 % or more and 2.000 % or less,

   N: 0.0100 % or less,

   where carbon equivalent Ceq is 0.540 % or more, and the balance is Fe and inevitable impurity,

   further, the base steel sheet has a microstructure wherein

   area ratio of ferrite: 65.0 % or less (including 0 %),

   area ratio of bainitic ferrite: 5.0 % or more and 40.0 % or less,

   area ratio of tempered martensite: 0.5 % or more and 80.0 % or less,

   area ratio of retained austenite: 3.0 % or more,

   area ratio of fresh martensite: 20.0 % or less (including 0 %),

   S_BF + S_TM + 2 × S_MA: 65.0 % or more,

   S_MA1/S_MA: 0.80 or less, and

   S_MA2/S_MA: 0.20 or more, and

   tensile strength is 980 MPa or more,

   wherein

   S_BF is area ratio of the bainitic ferrite,

   S_TM is area ratio of the tempered martensite,

   S_MA is area ratio of a hard secondary phase consisting of the retained austenite and fresh martensite,

   S_MA1 is a total area ratio of island regions among island regions constituting the hard secondary phase that have an equivalent circular diameter of 2.0 µm or more where 20 % or less of the circumference is in contact with tempered martensite, and

   S_MA2 is a total area ratio of island regions among island regions constituting the hard secondary phase where 1 % or more of the circumference is in contact with bainitic ferrite.
2. The galvanized steel sheet of claim 1, wherein the chemical composition of the base steel sheet further contains, in mass%, at least one selected from the group consisting of

   Ti: 0.200 % or less,

   Nb: 0.200 % or less,

   V: 0.100 % or less,

   B: 0.0100 % or less,

   Cu: 1.000 % or less,

   Cr: 1.000 % or less,

   Ni: 1.000 % or less,

   Mo: 0.500 % or less,

   Sb: 0.200 % or less,

   Sn: 0.200 % or less,

   Ta: 0.100 % or less,

   W: 0.500 % or less,

   Mg: 0.0200 % or less,

   Zn: 0.0200 % or less,

   Co: 0.0200 % or less,

   Zr: 0.0200 % or less,

   Ca: 0.0200 % or less,

   Ce: 0.0200 % or less,

   Se: 0.0200 % or less,

   Te: 0.0200 % or less,

   Ge: 0.0200 % or less,

   As: 0.0200 % or less,

   Sr: 0.0200 % or less,

   Cs: 0.0200 % or less,

   Hf: 0.0200 % or less,

   Pb: 0.0200 % or less,

   Bi: 0.0200 % or less, and

   REM: 0.0200 % or less.
3. The galvanized steel sheet of claim 1 or 2, wherein S_MA3/S_MA is 0.05 or more in the microstructure of the base steel sheet,
   wherein
   S_MA3 is a total area ratio of island regions among island regions constituting the hard secondary phase where 1 % or more of the circumference is in contact with bainitic ferrite and more than 20 % of the circumference is in contact with tempered martensite.
4. The galvanized steel sheet of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an amount of diffusible hydrogen in the base steel sheet is 0.50 mass ppm or less.
5. The galvanized steel sheet of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a decarburized layer.
6. The galvanized steel sheet of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a metal coating or plating layer at least on one side between the base steel sheet and the galvanized layer.
7. The galvanized steel sheet of claim 6, wherein the metal coating or plating layer is an Fe-based coating or plating layer.
8. The galvanized steel sheet of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the galvanized layer is a hot-dip galvanized layer or a galvannealed layer.
9. A member made using the galvanized steel sheet of any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. A method of producing a galvanized steel sheet, the method comprising:

    a hot rolling process, in which a steel slab having the chemical composition of claim 1 or 2 is hot rolled to make a hot-rolled steel sheet;

    a cold rolling process, in which the hot-rolled steel sheet is cold rolled into a cold-rolled steel sheet;

    an annealing process, in which the cold-rolled steel sheet is annealed at an annealing temperature of 760 °C or more and 900 °C or less for an annealing time of 20 s or more;

    a first cooling process, in which the cold-rolled steel sheet is cooled to a first cooling stop temperature of 300 °C or more and 550 °C or less;

    a holding process, in which the cold-rolled steel sheet is held at a temperature range of 300 °C or more and 550 °C or less for 3 s or more and 600 s or less;

    a coating process, in which the cold-rolled steel sheet is subject to a galvanizing treatment to become the galvanized steel sheet;

    a second cooling process, in which the galvanized steel sheet is cooled to a second cooling stop temperature of 100 °C or more and less than 300 °C; and

    a reheating process, in which the galvanized steel sheet is reheated to a reheating temperature of (the second cooling stop temperature + 50 °C) or more and 500 °C or less, and the galvanized steel sheet is held at a temperature range of (the second cooling stop temperature + 50 °C) or more and 500 °C or less for 10 s or more and 2,000 s or less, wherein

    a relationship between the first cooling stop temperature and a temperature of a galvanizing bath in the galvanizing treatment satisfies the following Formula (1), $$-150°\mathrm{C}\le {\mathrm{T}}_0-{\mathrm{T}}_1\le 50°\mathrm{C}$$

    

    where T₀ is the first cooling stop temperature (°C) and T₁ is the temperature of the galvanizing bath in the galvanizing treatment (°C).
11. The method of producing a galvanized steel sheet of claim 10, wherein a dew point of the annealing process is more than -30 °C.
12. The method of producing a galvanized steel sheet of claim 10 or 11, further comprising a metal coating or plating treatment process after the cold rolling process and before the annealing process, in which a metal coating or plating layer is formed on at least one surface of the cold-rolled steel sheet.
13. The method of producing a galvanized steel sheet of claim 12, wherein the metal coating or plating layer is an Fe-based coating or plating layer.
14. The method of producing a galvanized steel sheet of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the galvanizing treatment is a hot-dip galvanizing treatment or a hot-dip galvannealing treatment.
15. A method of producing a member, wherein the galvanized steel sheet of any one of claims 1 to 8 is subjected to at least one of a forming process and a joining process to make the member.

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