A method of forming a component includes providing a work-piece blank from a formable material. The method also includes engaging the work-piece blank with a transfer device. The method additionally includes austenitizing the work-piece blank in the transfer device via heating the blank to achieve austenite microstructure therein. The method also includes transferring the austenitized blank to a forming press using the transfer device. The method additionally includes forming the component via the forming press from the austenitized blank and quenching the formed component. A work-piece blank transfer system includes a transfer device having clamping arm(s) for engaging, holding, transferring, and releasing the work-piece blank. The transfer device also includes a heating element configured to austenitize the work-piece blank via heating the blank to achieve austenite microstructure therein. The transfer system additionally includes an electronic controller programmed to regulate the heating element and the clamping arm(s).

Rather than using a conventional stamping forming process with steels having high ultimate tensile strength and relatively low initial yield, tubular hydroforming techniques are introduced to synergize with BIW part forming, or forming of other load bearing parts. Such steels can have ultimate tensile strengths of greater than 1000 MPa and initial yields of less than 360 MPa In some embodiments, the steels have elongation of at least 40%. Such steels can include retained austenite.

A method for forming a multilayer structure from a precursor panel having an edge, the method including steps of connecting an attachment member to the precursor panel such that an edge of the attachment member is in alignment with the edge of the precursor panel and applying heat and gas pressure to expand the precursor panel.

A method for forming a multilayer structure from a precursor panel having an edge, the method including steps of connecting an attachment member to the precursor panel such that an edge of the attachment member is in alignment with the edge of the precursor panel and applying heat and gas pressure to expand the precursor panel.

A method of forming a part includes: inserting a blank into a die, the die comprising a mold mounted above a sealing counterpart; clamping the blank between the mold and the sealing counterpart; applying first pressure on the blank from the sealing counterpart so the blank is pressed upward to form a shaped part corresponding to the mold; applying a vacuum to the shaped part to hold it against the mold also after separating the mold and the sealing counterpart, the vacuum applied through at least one opening in the mold located in a corner of the mold that the blank does not reach when the first pressure is applied; and discontinuing the vacuum to allow the shaped part to be released from the mold.

A method of forming a part includes: inserting a blank into a die, the die comprising a mold mounted above a sealing counterpart; clamping the blank between the mold and the sealing counterpart; applying first pressure on the blank from the sealing counterpart so the blank is pressed upward to form a shaped part corresponding to the mold; applying a vacuum to the shaped part to hold it against the mold also after separating the mold and the sealing counterpart, the vacuum applied through at least one opening in the mold located in a corner of the mold that the blank does not reach when the first pressure is applied; and discontinuing the vacuum to allow the shaped part to be released from the mold.

A composite pipe includes a carrier pipe and at least one protective pipe. The carrier pipe is produced from a non-corrosion resistant steel, which has at least a partially austenitic structure, with the following chemical composition (in wt. %): C: 0.005 to 1.4; Mn: 5 to 35; the remainder being iron including unavoidable elements accompanying steel, with the optional alloying of the following elements (in wt. %): Ni: 0 to 6; Cr: 0 to 9; Al: 0 to 15; Si: 0 to 8; Mo: 0 to 3; Cu: 0 to 4; V: 0 to 2; Nb: 0 to 2; Ti: 0 to 2; Sb: 0 to 0.5; B: 0 to 0.5; Co: 0 to 5; W: 0 to 3; Zr: 0 to 4; Ca: 0 to 0.1; P: to 0.6; S: 0 to 0.2; N: 0.002 to 0.3. In a method for producing a composite pipe of this type, the carrier pipe and the at least one protective pipe are mechanically or metallurgically connected to one another.

A composite pipe includes a carrier pipe and at least one protective pipe. The carrier pipe is produced from a non-corrosion resistant steel, which has at least a partially austenitic structure, with the following chemical composition (in wt. %): C: 0.005 to 1.4; Mn: 5 to 35; the remainder being iron including unavoidable elements accompanying steel, with the optional alloying of the following elements (in wt. %): Ni: 0 to 6; Cr: 0 to 9; Al: 0 to 15; Si: 0 to 8; Mo: 0 to 3; Cu: 0 to 4; V: 0 to 2; Nb: 0 to 2; Ti: 0 to 2; Sb: 0 to 0.5; B: 0 to 0.5; Co: 0 to 5; W: 0 to 3; Zr: 0 to 4; Ca: 0 to 0.1; P: to 0.6; S: 0 to 0.2; N: 0.002 to 0.3. In a method for producing a composite pipe of this type, the carrier pipe and the at least one protective pipe are mechanically or metallurgically connected to one another.

The invention relates to a high-alloy steel, in particular for producing pipes shaped by means of internal high pressure, having high cold formability, TRIP and/or TWIP properties, a partially or completely austenitic microstructure having at least 5% residual austenite, and having the following chemical composition (in wt %): Cr: 7 to 20; Mn: 2 to 9; Ni: up to 9; C: 0.005 to 0.4; N: 0.002 to 0.3; the remainder being iron including unavoidable, steel-accompanying elements, with optional addition of the following elements (in wt %): Al: 0 to 3; Si: 0 to 2; Mo: 0.01 to 3; Cu: 0.005 to 4; V: 0 to 2; Nb: 0 to 2; Ti: 0 to 2; Sb: 0 to 0.5; B: 0 to 0.5; Co: 0 to 5; W: 0 to 3; Zr: 0 to 2; Ca: 0 to 0.1; P: 0 to 0.6; S: 0 to 0.2. The invention further relates to a method for producing pipes from this steel, said pipes being shaped by means of internal high pressure.

The invention relates to a high-alloy steel, in particular for producing pipes shaped by means of internal high pressure, having high cold formability, TRIP and/or TWIP properties, a partially or completely austenitic microstructure having at least 5% residual austenite, and having the following chemical composition (in wt %): Cr: 7 to 20; Mn: 2 to 9; Ni: up to 9; C: 0.005 to 0.4; N: 0.002 to 0.3; the remainder being iron including unavoidable, steel-accompanying elements, with optional addition of the following elements (in wt %): Al: 0 to 3; Si: 0 to 2; Mo: 0.01 to 3; Cu: 0.005 to 4; V: 0 to 2; Nb: 0 to 2; Ti: 0 to 2; Sb: 0 to 0.5; B: 0 to 0.5; Co: 0 to 5; W: 0 to 3; Zr: 0 to 2; Ca: 0 to 0.1; P: 0 to 0.6; S: 0 to 0.2. The invention further relates to a method for producing pipes from this steel, said pipes being shaped by means of internal high pressure.