In this study, the influence of thermal treatments on the properties of the martensitic stainless steel X30Cr13 (EN 10088-3: 1.4028) were investigated. These steels are characterized by a high hardness as well as corrosion resistance and can be specifically adjusted by heat treatment. In particular, the austenitizing temperature ${\vartheta }_A$ and cooling rate $\dot{T}$ affect the hardness and corrosion properties of martensitic stainless steels. In order to investigate these influences, the Jominy end quench tests were performed at varying austenitizing temperatures. The aim is to determine the hardness and corrosion properties as a function of the austenitizing temperature and the cooling rate. The austenitizing temperature strongly influences the solubility of alloying elements within the austenitic lattice as well as the grain size, and thus affects both precipitation and phase transformation kinetics. In consequence, different austenitizing temperatures lead to different macroscopic material properties, like hardness and pitting corrosion potential. The heat treatment was simulated using finite element (FE) method and compared with time-temperature sequences measured at different locations of the Jominy end quench sample using thermocouples. That allows determining the cooling rate $\dot{T}$ between 800 ${}^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$ and 500 ${}^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$ and to assign it to each location of the Jominy end quench sample. The numerical estimations were in close conformity with the experimental values. By assigning the hardness and pitting corrosion potentials to the respective cooling rates as a function of the austenitizing temperature, it is possible to determine optimum process windows for the required properties.

The deep drawability of three Martensitic Stainless Steels (MSS) alloys under conventional press hardening thermomechanical process conditions was investigated. The three alloys differ in the content of the main elements C and Cr. Firstly, the metallurgical properties of the alloys were determined, i.e., the phase mass fraction diagrams and the concentration of alloying elements in solid solution at the austenitic temperatures with help of the JMatPro^® software version 7.0. Derived from this analysis, specific thermomechanical process parameters were defined to evaluate experimentally and numerically the hot sheet formability of the alloys during the deep drawing process. The hot deep drawability of the MSS alloys was experimentally assessed. The hot deep drawability was evaluated with the resulting maximum drawing depth values. In general, all three alloys developed very good formability at forming temperatures between 700 and 900 °C. However, they are susceptible to chemical composition, austenization temperature, dwell time, and flange gap. The hot formability behavior of the alloys as well as the resulting hardness showed very good concordance with the calculated metallurgical values. Finally, a numerical analysis was conducted using Simufact Forming^® 15.0 software. The interval time during hot blank transfer to the tool determines the initial and final forming temperature. The effect of the time interval on the forming temperature was analyzed numerically and validated experimentally. It was also possible to determine the maximum level of plastic strain in the deep drawn cup.

Hot formed sheet components made of Martensitic Stainless Steels (MSS) can achieve ultra-high strengths in combination with very high corrosion resistance. This enables to manufacture complex lightweight sheet components with longer lifespan. Nevertheless, the hot formability of MSS sheets has not been accurately evaluated considering high temperatures and complex stress and strain states. In this work, the hot sheet formability of three MSS alloys under thermomechanical process conditions was investigated. Initially, mechanical properties of this sheet material were determined by uniaxial tensile test. Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation of a hot deep drawing process was performed under consideration of thermo physical calculated material models using the software JMatPro^® and Simufact Forming^® 15.0. The resulting strains and cooling rates developed locally in the work piece during the forming process were estimated. The numerical results were validated experimentally. Round cups were manufactured by hot deep drawing process. The resulting maximum drawing depth and hardness were measured. In general, all three alloys developed very good formability at forming temperatures between 700 and 900 °C and increased hardness values. However, they are highly susceptible to chemical composition, austenitization temperature, dwell time, and flange gap. A statistic approach is given to explain the correlation between hardness and its influencing factors.

En este trabajo se analizó las transformaciones de fase que ocurren en un acero avanzado de alta resistencia (AHSS) 0.41%C - 0.7%Mn - 2.15%Si - 0.013%Al, que se emplea en la industria automotriz para la fabricación de chasis y carrocería debido a sus optimas propiedades mecánicas como absorción de energía de impacto y tenacidad. El software Thermo-Calc permitió predecir las fases presentes como ferrita y carburos en estado inicial y la presencia de austenita, ferrita, bainita y carburos después del tratamiento térmico. Los resultados calculados por Thermo Calc; diagrama TTT concuerdan con lo observado en las micrografías y DRX. Los resultados del tratamiento térmico de austemperizado indican una microestructura compuesta de bainita fina, austenita retenida y carburos M7C3, mejorando sus propiedades mecánicas, principalmente dureza y resistencia máxima, 61 HR30N y 1513 MPa, respectivamente, en comparación con el estado inicial, 45 HR30N y 856 MPa.