HOT ROLLED STEEL SHEET AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME
20180119240 · 2018-05-03
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
C21D1/25
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C22C38/002
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C22C38/60
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
International classification
Abstract
A hot rolled steel sheet comprises: a predetermined chemical composition; a microstructure in which a total area ratio of a tempered bainite phase and a tempered martensite phase is 70% or more, a total area ratio of a coarse pearlite phase, a martensite phase, and a retained austenite phase is 10% or less, the tempered bainite phase and the tempered martensite phase have laths with an average width of 1.0 m or less as a substructure, a proportion of Fe-based carbides with an aspect ratio of 5 or less in Fe-based carbides precipitated inside and at boundaries of the laths is 80% or more, and MC-type carbides with an average particle size of 20 nm or less are dispersed and precipitated inside and at the boundaries of the laths; and an average dislocation density of 1.010.sup.14 m.sup.2 or more and 5.010.sup.15 m.sup.2 or less.
Claims
1. A hot rolled steel sheet comprising: a composition containing, in mass %, C: 0.03% or more and 0.20% or less, Si: 0.4% or less, Mn: 0.5% or more and 2.0% or less, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.03% or less, Al: 0.1% or less, N: 0.01% or less, and Ti: 0.03% or more and 0.15% or less, with a balance being Fe and incidental impurities; a microstructure in which a total area ratio of a tempered bainite phase and a tempered martensite phase is 70% or more, a total area ratio of a coarse pearlite phase, a martensite phase, and a retained austenite phase is 10% or less, the tempered bainite phase and the tempered martensite phase have laths with an average width of 1.0 m or less as a substructure, a proportion of Fe-based carbides with an aspect ratio of 5 or less in Fe-based carbides precipitated inside and at boundaries of the laths is 80% or more, and MC-type carbides with an average particle size of 20 nm or less are dispersed and precipitated inside and at the boundaries of the laths; and an average dislocation density of 1.010.sup.14 m.sup.2 or more and 5.010.sup.15 m.sup.2 or less.
2-7. (canceled)
8. The hot rolled steel sheet according to claim 1, wherein the composition further contains, in mass %, at least one selected from groups (a) to (c): (a) one or more of V: 0.01% or more and 0.3% or less, Nb: 0.01% or more and 0.1% or less, and Mo: 0.01% or more and 0.3% or less; (b) B: 0.0002% or more and 0.010% or less; and (c) one or more of REM, Zr, As, Cu, Ni, Sn, Pb, Ta, W, Cr, Sb, Mg, Ca, Co, Se, Zn, and Cs: 1.0% or less in total.
9. The hot rolled steel sheet according to claim 1, comprising a coated or plated layer on a surface thereof.
10. The hot rolled steel sheet according to claim 8, comprising a coated or plated layer on a surface thereof.
11. A method of manufacturing a hot rolled steel sheet, comprising: hot rolling a steel raw material having the composition according to claim 1, whereby the steel raw material is heated to an austenite single phase region and subjected to rough rolling and finish rolling to obtain a steel sheet, and the steel sheet is cooled and coiled after the finish rolling; pickling the steel sheet after the hot rolling; and then continuous annealing the steel sheet, wherein in the hot rolling, a finisher delivery temperature is 850 C. or more and 1000 C. or less, an average cooling rate to 500 C. after the finish rolling is 30 C./s or more, and a coiling temperature is 500 C. or less, and in the continuous annealing, a maximum heating temperature of the steel sheet is 700 C. or more and (A.sub.3 point+A.sub.1 point)/2 or less, a time during which a temperature of the steel sheet is 600 C. or more and 700 C. or less in heating the steel sheet to the maximum heating temperature is 20 s or more and 1000 s or less, a time during which the temperature of the steel sheet is more than 700 C. is 200 s or less, an average cooling rate to 530 C. when cooling the steel sheet from the maximum heating temperature is 8 C./s or more and 25 C./s or less, and a time of holding the steel sheet in a temperature range of 470 C. or more and 530 C. or less after the cooling stops is 10 s or more.
12. The method of manufacturing a hot rolled steel sheet according to claim 11, further comprising performing a coating or plating treatment on the steel sheet, after the continuous annealing.
13. A method of manufacturing a hot rolled steel sheet, comprising: hot rolling a steel raw material having the composition according to claim 8, whereby the steel raw material is heated to an austenite single phase region and subjected to rough rolling and finish rolling to obtain a steel sheet, and the steel sheet is cooled and coiled after the finish rolling; pickling the steel sheet after the hot rolling; and then continuous annealing the steel sheet, wherein in the hot rolling, a finisher delivery temperature is 850 C. or more and 1000 C. or less, an average cooling rate to 500 C. after the finish rolling is 30 C./s or more, and a coiling temperature is 500 C. or less, and in the continuous annealing, a maximum heating temperature of the steel sheet is 700 C. or more and (A.sub.3 point+A.sub.1 point)/2 or less, a time during which a temperature of the steel sheet is 600 C. or more and 700 C. or less in heating the steel sheet to the maximum heating temperature is 20 s or more and 1000 s or less, a time during which the temperature of the steel sheet is more than 700 C. is 200 s or less, an average cooling rate to 530 C. when cooling the steel sheet from the maximum heating temperature is 8 C./s or more and 25 C./s or less, and a time of holding the steel sheet in a temperature range of 470 C. or more and 530 C. or less after the cooling stops is 10 s or more.
14. The method of manufacturing a hot rolled steel sheet according to claim 13, further comprising performing a coating or plating treatment on the steel sheet, after the continuous annealing.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] In the accompanying drawings:
[0033]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Detailed description is given below.
[0035] The chemical composition of a hot rolled steel sheet according to the disclosure is described first. The unit of the content of each element in the chemical composition is mass %, which is simply expressed as % below unless otherwise noted.
[0036] C: 0.03% or more and 0.20% or less
[0037] C improves the strength of the steel, and promotes the formation of bainite and martensite during hot rolling. The C content therefore needs to be 0.03% or more. If the C content is more than 0.20%, equivalent carbon content is excessively high, which causes a decrease in weldability of the steel sheet. The C content is therefore 0.03% or more and 0.20% or less. The C content is preferably 0.04% or more. The C content is preferably 0.18% or less. The C content is more preferably more than 0.05%. The C content is more preferably 0.15% or less.
[0038] Si: 0.4% or less
[0039] Typically, Si is actively used in a high strength steel sheet as an effective element that improves the steel sheet strength without decreasing ductility (elongation). If the Si content is more than 0.4%, however, Si forms oxides on the steel sheet surface during heat treatment, and degrades coating adhesion property. The Si content is therefore 0.4% or less. The Si content is preferably 0.3% or less. The Si content is more preferably 0.2% or less. The Si content may be reduced to an impurity level, and may be 0%.
[0040] Mn: 0.5% or more and 2.0% or less
[0041] Mn is an element that dissolves and contributes to higher strength of the steel. Mn also promotes the formation of bainite and martensite during hot rolling, by improving quench hardenability. To achieve such effects, the Mn content needs to be 0.5% or more. If the Mn content is more than 2.0%, austenite becomes excessively stable, causing the microstructure of the steel sheet to excessively contain martensite and retained austenite. This decreases stretch flangeability. The Mn content is therefore 0.5% or more and 2.0% or less. The Mn content is preferably 0.8% or more. The Mn content is preferably 1.8% or less. The Mn content is more preferably 1.0% or more. The Mn content is more preferably 1.7% or less.
[0042] P: 0.03% or less
[0043] P is a harmful element that segregates to grain boundaries to decrease elongation, induce cracking during working, and degrade anti-crash property. The P content is therefore 0.03% or less. Excessive dephosphorization, however, leads to longer refining time and higher cost, and so the P content is preferably 0.002% or more.
[0044] S: 0.03% or less
[0045] S exists as MnS or TiS in the steel, and facilitates the formation of voids when blanking the hot rolled steel sheet. S also serves as a void origin during working, and causes a decrease in stretch flangeability. The S content is therefore desirably as low as possible, and is 0.03% or less. The S content is preferably 0.01% or less. Excessive desulfurization, however, leads to longer refining time and higher cost, and so the S content is preferably 0.0002% or more.
[0046] Al: 0.1% or less
[0047] Al is an element that acts as a deoxidizing material. To achieve such effects, the Al content is desirably 0.01% or more. If the Al content is more than 0.1%, Al remains in the steel sheet as Al oxide. Such Al oxide tends to coagulate and be coarsened, causing a decrease in stretch flangeability. The Al content is therefore 0.1% or less.
[0048] N: 0.01% or less
[0049] N exists as coarse TiN in the steel, and facilitates the formation of coarse voids when blanking the hot rolled steel sheet. N also serves as an origin of coarse voids during working, and causes a decrease in stretch flangeability. The N content is therefore desirably as low as possible, and is 0.01% or less. The N content is preferably 0.006% or less. Excessive denitrification, however, leads to longer refining time and higher cost, and so the N content is preferably 0.0005% or more.
[0050] Ti: 0.03% or more and 0.15% or less
[0051] Ti is a necessary element to form MC-type carbides to thus inhibit lath coarsening in the annealing and strengthen the steel sheet. MC-type carbides also enhance the steel sheet strength by strengthening by precipitation. If the Ti content is less than 0.03%, such effects are insufficient, and lath coarsening and lower precipitation amount cause a decrease in steel sheet strength, making it difficult to achieve desired steel sheet strength (tensile strength of 780 MPa or more). If the Ti content is more than 0.15%, central segregation is noticeable, causing a decrease in blanking workability. The Ti content is therefore 0.03% or more and 0.15% or less. The Ti content is preferably 0.04% or more. The Ti content is preferably 0.14% or less. The Ti content is further preferably 0.05% or more. The Ti content is further preferably 0.13% or less.
[0052] While the basic components have been described above, the hot rolled steel sheet may optionally contain one or more of V: 0.01% or more and 0.3% or less, Nb: 0.01% or more and 0.1% or less, and Mo: 0.01% or more and 0.3% or less, for higher strength.
[0053] V: 0.01% or more and 0.3% or less
[0054] V forms MC-type carbides and contributes to higher strength of the steel sheet by lath coarsening inhibition in the annealing and strengthening by precipitation, as with Ti. To achieve such effects, the V content needs to be 0.01% or more. If the V content is more than 0.3%, central segregation is noticeable, causing a decrease in blanking workability. Accordingly, the V content is preferably 0.01% or more. The V content is preferably 0.3% or less. The V content is more preferably 0.01% or more. The V content is more preferably 0.2% or less. The V content is further preferably 0.01% or more. The V content is further preferably 0.15% or less. V may form MC-type carbides by itself, or form complex carbides with Ti, Nb, and Mo. Such carbide composition does not affect the advantageous effects of the disclosure at all.
[0055] Nb: 0.01% or more and 0.1% or less
[0056] Nb forms MC-type carbides and contributes to higher strength of the steel sheet by lath coarsening inhibition in the annealing and strengthening by precipitation, as with Ti. To achieve such effects, the Nb content needs to be 0.01% or more. If Nb is excessively added to be more than 0.1% in content, Nb does not dissolve in the heating furnace during hot rolling. The effects thus saturate, and the alloy cost increases. Accordingly, the Nb content is preferably 0.01% or more. The Nb content is preferably 0.1% or less. The Nb content is more preferably 0.01% or more. The Nb content is more preferably 0.08% or less. The Nb content is further preferably 0.01% or more. The Nb content is further preferably 0.06% or less. Nb may form MC-type carbides by itself, or form complex carbides with Ti, V, and Mo. Such carbide composition does not affect the advantageous effects of the disclosure at all.
[0057] Mo: 0.01% or more and 0.3% or less
[0058] Mo, when added in combination with Ti, forms MC-type complex carbides and contributes to higher strength of the steel sheet by lath coarsening inhibition in the annealing and strengthening by precipitation, as with Ti. To achieve such effects, the Mo content needs to be 0.01% or more. If the Mo content is more than 0.3%, central segregation is noticeable, causing a decrease in blanking workability. Accordingly, the Mo content is preferably 0.01% or more. The Mo content is preferably 0.3% or less. Mo may form complex carbides with Nb and V. Such carbide composition does not affect the advantageous effects of the disclosure at all.
[0059] The hot rolled steel sheet may optionally contain B: 0.0002% or more and 0.010% or less, for improved quench hardenability during hot rolling.
[0060] B: 0.0002% or more and 0.010% or less
[0061] B is an element that segregates to austenite grain boundaries and inhibits the formation and growth of ferrite to improve quench hardenability and promote the formation of bainite and martensite. To achieve such effects, the B content is preferably 0.0002% or more. If the B content is more than 0.010%, hard iron boride forms and causes a decrease in stretch flangeability. Accordingly, in the case of adding B, the B content is preferably 0.0002% or more and 0.010% or less. The B content is more preferably 0.0002% or more. The B content is more preferably 0.0050% or less. The B content is further preferably 0.0004% or more. The B content is further preferably 0.0030% or less.
[0062] In addition to the composition described above, the hot rolled steel sheet may contain one or more of REM, Zr, As, Cu, Ni, Sn, Pb, Ta, W, Cr, Sb, Mg, Ca, Co, Se, Zn, and Cs so that their total content is 1.0% or less.
[0063] The components other than those described above are Fe and incidental impurities.
[0064] The reasons for limiting the microstructure in the hot rolled steel sheet are given below.
[0065] Total area ratio of tempered bainite phase and tempered martensite phase: 70% or more
[0066] The hot rolled steel sheet has a microstructure mainly composed of tempered bainite and tempered martensite having both high strength and excellent blanking workability. If the total area ratio of tempered bainite phase and tempered martensite phase is less than 70%, the hot rolled steel sheet cannot have desired high strength and blanking workability. Here, the ratio of each of tempered bainite phase and tempered martensite is not individually defined because tempered bainite and tempered martensite after annealing are microstructures not distinguishable from each other. This is a major factor that can reduce variations in mechanical properties after annealing in the case where the manufacturing conditions during hot rolling vary. The total area ratio of tempered bainite phase and tempered martensite phase is therefore 70% or more. The total area ratio of tempered bainite phase and tempered martensite phase is preferably 75% or more. The total area ratio of tempered bainite phase and tempered martensite phase is more preferably 80% or more. The total area ratio of tempered bainite phase and tempered martensite phase may be 100%.
[0067] Total area ratio of coarse pearlite phase, martensite phase, and retained austenite phase: 10% or less.
[0068] As mentioned above, the microstructure of the hot rolled steel sheet is mainly composed of tempered bainite and tempered martensite, with the balance other than tempered bainite and tempered martensite being, for example, Fe-based carbides, coarse pearlite, fine pearlite, degenerate pearlite, bainite, martensite, and retained austenite. Of these, particularly in the case where coarse pearlite, martensite, and retained austenite are present in the metallic microstructure, stretch flangeability decreases noticeably. The total area ratio of coarse pearlite phase, martensite phase, and retained austenite phase is therefore 10% or less. The total area ratio of coarse pearlite phase, martensite phase, and retained austenite phase is preferably 8% or less. The total area ratio of coarse pearlite phase, martensite phase, and retained austenite phase is more preferably 5% or less. The total area ratio of coarse pearlite phase, martensite phase, and retained austenite phase may be 0%.
[0069] Here, coarse pearlite has a lamellar spacing of 0.2 m or more, fine pearlite has a lamellar spacing of less than 0.2 m, and degenerate pearlite is a phase in which pearlite lamellar is not clearly observable. The lamellar spacing can be measured by microstructure observation using a scanning electron microscope.
[0070] The balance other than tempered bainite phase, tempered martensite phase, coarse pearlite phase, martensite phase, and retained austenite phase is, for example, ferrite phase, degenerate pearlite phase, and fine pearlite phase. A total area ratio of such balance of 30% or less is allowable.
[0071] Average width of laths which tempered bainite phase and tempered martensite phase have as substructure: 1.0 m or less
[0072] For strengthening by tempered bainite phase and tempered martensite phase, it is important that tempered bainite phase and tempered martensite phase have fine laths with an average width of 1.0 m or less as their substructure.
[0073] Proportion of Fe-based carbides with an aspect ratio of 5 or less in Fe-based carbides precipitated inside and at the boundaries of laths: 80% or more
[0074] Fe-based carbides precipitated inside and at the boundaries of laths as illustrated in
[0075] Fe-based carbides are carbide (cementite), carbide, and the like. An alloying element may be dissolved in the carbides. The aspect ratio is the ratio of the major axis length and minor axis length of Fe-based carbides precipitated inside and at the boundaries of laths.
[0076] Average particle size of MC-type carbides dispersed and precipitated inside and at the boundaries of laths: 20 nm or less
[0077] MC-type carbides finely dispersed and precipitated inside and at the boundaries of laths as illustrated in
[0078] It is also important that the hot rolled steel sheet has an average dislocation density in the following range.
[0079] Average dislocation density: 1.010.sup.14 m.sup.2 or more and 5.010.sup.15 m.sup.2 or less
[0080] The variations of the hot rolled steel sheet caused by the variations of the hot rolling conditions are reduced by tempering the steel sheet having bainite and martensite microstructure. If the average dislocation density of the steel sheet after annealing is more than 5.010.sup.15m.sup.2, the tempering of the steel sheet is insufficient and the influence of the variations of the hot rolling conditions cannot be reduced sufficiently. In the case where tempering is sufficient, the average dislocation density is typically 1.010.sup.14 m.sup.2 or more. The average dislocation density is therefore 1.010.sup.14 m.sup.2 or more and 5.010.sup.15 m.sup.2 or less. The average dislocation density is preferably 1.010.sup.14 m.sup.2 or more. The average dislocation density is preferably 2.010.sup.15 m.sup.2 or less.
[0081] A method of manufacturing the hot rolled steel sheet according to the disclosure is described below.
[0082] The method of manufacturing the hot rolled steel sheet includes: hot rolling a steel raw material having the chemical composition described above, whereby the steel raw material is heated to an austenite single phase region, subjected to rough rolling and finish rolling to obtain a steel sheet, and the steel sheet is cooled and coiled after the finish rolling; pickling the steel sheet after the hot rolling; and then continuous annealing the steel sheet, wherein in the hot rolling, a finisher delivery temperature is 850 C. or more and 1000 C. or less, an average cooling rate to 500 C. after the finish rolling is 30 C./s or more, and a coiling temperature is 500 C. or less, and in the continuous annealing, a maximum heating temperature of the steel sheet is 700 C. or more and (A.sub.3 point+A.sub.1 point)/2 or less, a time during which a temperature of the steel sheet is 600 C. or more and 700 C. or less in heating the steel sheet to the maximum heating temperature is 20 s or more and 1000 s or less, a time during which the temperature of the steel sheet is more than 700 C. is 200 s or less, an average cooling rate to 530 C. when cooling the steel sheet from the maximum heating temperature is 8 C./s or more and 25 C./s or less, and a time of holding the steel sheet in a temperature range of 470 C. or more and 530 C. or less after the cooling stops is 10 s or more. The method may further include performing a coating or plating treatment on the steel sheet, after the continuous annealing.
[0083] The method of obtaining the steel raw material by steelmaking is not limited, and any known steelmaking process such as a converter steelmaking process or an electric furnace steelmaking process may be used. After steelmaking, continuous casting is preferably performed to yield a slab (steel raw material) in terms of productivity and the like. The slab may be yielded by a known casting method such as ingot casting and blooming, thin slab continuous casting, or the like.
[0084] The obtained steel raw material is subjected to hot rolling, in which the steel raw material is subjected to rough rolling and finish rolling. Before the rough rolling, the steel raw material is heated in the austenite single phase region. If the steel raw material before the rough rolling is not heated in the austenite single phase region, the remelting of Ti carbide and the like present in the steel raw material does not progress, and fine MC-type carbides do not precipitate during the annealing after the hot rolling. Accordingly, the steel raw material is heated to the austenite single phase region, preferably to 1150 C. or more, before the rough rolling. No upper limit is placed on the heating temperature, yet an excessively high heating temperature leads to a considerable decrease in yield rate due to the oxidation of the slab surface, and so the heating temperature is typically 1350 C. or less. In the case where the temperature of the cast steel raw material (slab) is in the austenite single phase region when hot rolling the steel raw material, the steel raw material may be subjected to hot direct rolling without being heated or after being heated for a short time.
[0085] The reasons for limiting the manufacturing conditions in the hot rolling are given below.
[0086] Finisher delivery temperature: 850 C. or more and 1000 C. or less
[0087] If the finisher delivery temperature is low, ferrite transformation is promoted during the cooling after the rolling, causing a decrease in the bainite and martensite ratio of the hot rolled steel sheet after the hot rolling. This makes it impossible to obtain a predetermined tempered bainite and tempered martensite ratio after the annealing. Accordingly, the finisher delivery temperature needs to be 850 C. or more. The finisher delivery temperature is preferably 880 C. or more. If the finisher delivery temperature is more than 1000 C., the surface characteristics of the steel sheet degrade. The finisher delivery temperature is therefore 1000 C. or less. The finisher delivery temperature is preferably 970 C. or less. Each of the temperatures such as the finisher delivery temperature and the coiling temperature mentioned here is the temperature of the steel sheet surface.
[0088] Cooling rate to 500 C. after finish rolling: 30 C./s or more
[0089] When cooling the steel sheet after the finish rolling, if the cooling rate is insufficient, ferrite cannot be suppressed adequately, causing a decrease in the bainite and martensite ratio of the hot rolled steel sheet after the hot rolling. This makes it impossible to obtain a predetermined tempered bainite and tempered martensite ratio after the annealing. Accordingly, the cooling rate to 500 C. after the finish rolling needs to be 30 C./s or more. The cooling rate is preferably 50 C./s or more. No upper limit is placed on the cooling rate, yet the upper limit is typically about 300 C./s.
[0090] Coiling temperature: 500 C. or less
[0091] Appropriately adjusting the coiling temperature is important in controlling the steel sheet microstructure after the hot rolling. If the coiling temperature is more than 500 C., the lath width of bainite increases. This makes it impossible to obtain a predetermined lath width of tempered bainite after the annealing. No lower limit is placed on the coiling temperature, yet an excessively low coiling temperature merely leads to higher cooling cost, and so the coiling temperature is preferably 0 C. or more. The coiling temperature is more preferably 200 C. or more.
[0092] After the hot rolling, the hot rolled steel sheet is subjected to pickling and then to continuous annealing. The reasons for limiting the manufacturing conditions in the continuous annealing are given below.
[0093] Maximum heating temperature of steel sheet: 700 C. or more and (A.sub.3 point+A.sub.1 point)/2 or less
[0094] Appropriately adjusting the maximum heating temperature of the steel sheet in the continuous annealing is important in sufficiently reducing the influence of the variations of the manufacturing conditions in the hot rolling caused by the annealing and achieving desired high strength. If the maximum heating temperature of the steel sheet is less than 700 C., the dislocation density in bainite and martensite is difficult to be controlled within an appropriate range, and so the influence of the variations of the manufacturing conditions in the hot rolling cannot be reduced sufficiently. Besides, if the heating temperature of the steel sheet is less than 700 C., the aspect ratio of Fe-based carbides inside and between laths tends to be high, which makes it difficult to set the proportion of Fe-based carbides with an aspect ratio of 5 or less to be in a desired range. If the maximum heating temperature of the steel sheet is more than (A.sub.3 point+A.sub.1 point)/2, MC-type carbides coarsen noticeably, as a result of which lath coarsening in bainite and martensite cannot be inhibited adequately. Moreover, austenitizing is promoted, causing a decrease in the bainite and martensite ratio. This makes it impossible to obtain a desired tempered bainite and tempered martensite ratio. The maximum heating temperature of the steel sheet in the continuous annealing is therefore 700 C. or more and (A.sub.3 point+A.sub.1 point)/2 or less.
[0095] The maximum heating temperature is preferably 700 C. or more. The maximum heating temperature is preferably {(A.sub.3 point+A.sub.1 point)/2}10 C. or less.
[0096] The A.sub.1 point and the A.sub.3 point can be calculated according to the following expressions.
A.sub.1 point=75126.6[% C]+17.6[% Si]11.6[% Mn]+22.5[% Mo]+233[% Nb]39.7[% V]57[% Ti]895[% B]169[% Al]
A.sub.3 point=937476.5[% C]+56[% Si]19.7[% Mn]+38.1[% Mo]+124.8[% V]+136.3[% Ti]19[% Nb]+3315[% B]
where [% X] denotes the content of an X element in steel (mass %).
[0097] Time during which the steel sheet temperature is 600 C. or more and 700 C. or less in heating the steel sheet to the maximum heating temperature: 20 s or more and 1000 s or less
[0098] In heating the steel sheet to the maximum heating temperature, it is important to appropriately control heat hysteresis in imparting desired high strength and excellent blanking workability to the steel sheet. The pinning effect of MC-type carbides is used to inhibit lath coarsening, as mentioned above. To achieve the pinning effect, MC-type carbides need to be sufficiently dispersed in bainite and martensite before lath coarsening starts. According to our study, the precipitation of MC-type carbides begins to occur noticeably at 600 C. or more. Meanwhile, lath coarsening and disappearance are noticeable at more than 700 C. Hence, lath coarsening and disappearance can be inhibited by holding the steel sheet temperature in the temperature range of 600 C. or more and 700 C. or less for a predetermined time so that MC-type carbides precipitate sufficiently. For sufficient precipitation of MC-type carbides, the holding time in this temperature range needs to be 20 s or more. If the holding time in the temperature range is insufficient, lath coarsening starts before MC-type carbides precipitate sufficiently, so that the pinning effect is insufficient and the laths coarsen. The holding time is preferably 35 s or more. The holding time is more preferably 50 s or more.
[0099] If the holding time of the steel sheet temperature in the temperature range of 600 C. or more and 700 C. or less is more than 1000 s, Fe-based carbides precipitated inside and between laths dissolve again and move to prior austenite grain boundaries, packet grain boundaries, block grain boundaries, and the like. Thus, Fe-based carbides inside and between laths that effectively contribute to improved blanking workability no longer exist. Accordingly, to obtain a steel sheet having excellent blanking workability, the holding time of the steel sheet temperature in the temperature range of 600 C. or more and 700 C. or less needs to be 1000 s or less. The holding time is preferably 800 s or less. The holding time is more preferably 500 s or less. The steel sheet temperature mentioned here is the temperature of the steel sheet surface.
[0100] Time during which the steel sheet temperature is more than 700 C.:
[0101] 200 s or less
[0102] When the steel sheet temperature is in the temperature range of more than 700 C., lath coarsening is noticeable. The pinning effect of MC-type carbides finely dispersed and precipitated is used to prevent the movement of lath boundaries and inhibit lath coarsening, as mentioned above. The steel sheet strength is maintained in this way. If the holding time in this temperature range is excessively long, however, lath coarsening cannot be inhibited. Accordingly, the holding time of the steel sheet temperature in the temperature range of more than 700 C. is 200 s or less, in terms of preventing lath coarsening. The holding time is preferably 180 s or less. The holding time is more preferably 150 s or less. If the time during which the steel sheet temperature is more than 700 C. is less than 10 s, the ductility of the steel sheet decreases to some extent, and so the holding time is preferably 10 s or more.
[0103] Average cooling rate to 530 C. when cooling the steel sheet from the maximum heating temperature: 8 C./s or more and 25 C./s or less
[0104] When cooling the steel sheet after heating it to the maximum heating temperature in the continuous annealing, it is important to appropriately control the cooling rate in achieving excellent stretch flangeability.
[0105] Particularly in the case where the average cooling rate to 530 C. is less than 8 C./s, pearlite transformation cannot be suppressed during the cooling, as a result of which coarse pearlite forms in a predetermined amount or more. This decreases stretch flangeability. If the average cooling rate is excessively high, holding the steel sheet in the temperature range of 470 C. or more and 530 C. or less for a predetermined time as mentioned below is difficult. The average cooling rate to 530 C. when cooling the steel sheet from the maximum heating temperature is therefore 25 C./s or less.
[0106] Holding time in the temperature range of 470 C. or more and 530 C. or less: 10 s or more
[0107] In the continuous annealing, it is important to hold the steel sheet in the temperature range of 470 C. or more and 530 C. or less for a predetermined time after the aforementioned controlled cooling, in achieving excellent stretch flangeability. If the holding temperature after the cooling stops is more than 530 C., coarse pearlite forms, causing a decrease in stretch flangeability. If the holding temperature after the cooling stops is less than 470 C., the transformation from austenite to bainite delays. As a result, C concentrates in the non-transformed austenite region to stabilize austenite, hampering the completion of the transformation. In the subsequent cooling, non-transformed austenite transforms to martensite or remains in the steel sheet microstructure as retained austenite, so that stretch flangeability decreases. In the case where the steel sheet is held in the temperature range of 470 C. or more and 530 C. or less for 10 s or more, the transformation of most austenite to bainite completes, with it being possible to reduce the proportion of martensite which forms during the subsequent cooling to a predetermined range. Accordingly, the holding time in the temperature range of 470 C. or more and 530 C. or less after the controlled cooling stops is 10 s or more. The holding time is preferably 20 s or more. The holding time is more preferably 30 s or more. No upper limit is placed on the holding time, yet the holding time is typically 300 s or less.
[0108] Holding the steel sheet in the temperature range of 470 C. or more and 530 C. or less completes the control of the steel sheet microstructure. The subsequent cooling conditions are not limited, and the steel sheet may be cooled to room temperature by any cooling method.
[0109] Even in the case of reheating the steel sheet to 700 C. or less after holding the steel sheet in the temperature range of 470 C. or more and 530 C. or less, desired steel sheet microstructure can still be obtained as long as the total holding time in the temperature range of 600 C. or more and 700 C. or less is 1000 s or less.
[0110] For example, after holding the steel sheet in the temperature range of 470 C. or more and 530 C. or less, the steel sheet may be immersed in a zinc pot to yield a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet. The steel sheet may then be further heated to yield a galvannealed steel sheet. The hot dip coating is not limited to zinc, and may be a coating of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or the like.
[0111] After the continuous annealing, the steel sheet may be subjected to temper rolling either continuously in the annealing line or using another line according to a conventional method.
[0112] The hot rolled steel sheet manufactured as described above may be electrogalvanized or hot-dip galvanized. The hot rolled steel sheet according to the disclosure is suitable not only as a steel sheet for automotive suspension parts but also for press forming typically performed at ordinary temperature, and has excellent heat resistance. Hence, the hot rolled steel sheet manufactured as described above is also suitable as a blank sheet for a warm forming process of heating a steel sheet to 400 C. to 700 C. before pressing and then immediately press forming the steel sheet.
EXAMPLES
[0113] Molten steels having the compositions listed in Table 1 were each obtained by steelmaking and subjected to continuous casting by a typically known technique, to yield a slab (steel raw material) with a thickness of 300 mm. The slab was heated to the temperature in Table 2, rough rolled, and finish rolled at the finisher delivery temperature in Table 2. After completing the finish rolling, the steel sheet was cooled at the average cooling rate in Table 2, and coiled at the coiling temperature in Table 2, to obtain a hot rolled steel sheet with a sheet thickness of 3.2 mm. The hot rolled steel sheet was then pickled by a typically known technique, and annealed in a continuous annealing line under the conditions in Table 2. Some of the steel sheets were subjected to hot-dip galvanizing treatment and optionally further subjected to alloying treatment in the continuous annealing line, thus yielding hot-dip galvanized steel sheets and galvannealed steel sheets.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Steel Chemical composition (mass %) No. C Si Mn P S Al N Ti V Nb Mo B Others Remarks 1 0.024 0.06 0.7 0.025 0.002 0.04 0.0032 0.095 Comparative steel 2 0.060 0.03 0.6 0.027 0.002 0.04 0.0057 0.090 Conforming steel 3 0.140 0.05 0.7 0.026 0.003 0.03 0.0029 0.056 Conforming steel 4 0.081 0.31 0.4 0.014 0.002 0.05 0.0035 0.096 Comparative steel 5 0.128 0.17 1.2 0.020 0.002 0.04 0.0064 0.089 Conforming steel 6 0.145 0.29 1.8 0.015 0.002 0.03 0.0037 0.082 Conforming steel 7 0.177 0.07 2.5 0.025 0.002 0.03 0.0064 0.107 Comparative steel 8 0.099 0.15 1.1 0.021 0.001 0.05 0.0027 0.024 Comparative steel 9 0.147 0.30 1.6 0.014 0.003 0.03 0.0060 0.062 Conforming steel 10 0.161 0.23 1.4 0.018 0.001 0.03 0.0047 0.113 Conforming steel 11 0.053 0.30 1.6 0.015 0.002 0.06 0.0029 0.195 Comparative steel 12 0.114 0.16 1.1 0.021 0.003 0.04 0.0056 0.048 Conforming steel 13 0.163 0.10 0.9 0.024 0.003 0.03 0.0030 0.050 Conforming steel 14 0.183 0.11 0.9 0.023 0.003 0.02 0.0031 0.045 Conforming steel 15 0.049 0.19 1.2 0.019 0.002 0.06 0.0049 0.097 Conforming steel 16 0.153 0.25 1.4 0.017 0.001 0.03 0.0051 0.134 Conforming steel 17 0.163 0.19 1.2 0.019 0.003 0.03 0.0035 0.060 Conforming steel 18 0.111 0.16 1.1 0.021 0.002 0.04 0.0037 0.072 Conforming steel 19 0.056 0.15 1.1 0.021 0.002 0.06 0.0032 0.089 Conforming steel 20 0.112 0.22 1.3 0.018 0.001 0.04 0.0037 0.123 Conforming steel 21 0.128 0.22 1.3 0.018 0.003 0.04 0.0037 0.057 Conforming steel 22 0.120 0.17 1.1 0.020 0.002 0.04 0.0045 0.108 Conforming steel 23 0.129 0.03 1.5 0.011 0.002 0.04 0.0037 0.065 0.0015 Conforming steel 24 0.144 0.24 1.4 0.017 0.002 0.03 0.0054 0.109 0.092 As: 0.003 Conforming steel 25 0.173 0.35 1.8 0.012 0.001 0.03 0.0051 0.113 0.043 Ca: 0.004, Sn: 0.002 Conforming steel 26 0.048 0.34 1.8 0.012 0.001 0.06 0.0040 0.130 0.15 Se: 0.005, Cr: 0.23 Conforming steel 27 0.174 0.37 1.9 0.011 0.001 0.03 0.0046 0.125 0.0019 Sb: 0.004, Cu: 0.09, Ni: 0.18 Conforming steel 28 0.139 0.32 1.7 0.014 0.002 0.04 0.0057 0.074 0.0013 Co: 0.028, Cs: 0.004 Conforming steel 29 0.102 0.09 0.8 0.024 0.002 0.04 0.0055 0.099 0.0018 Mg: 0.006, Ta: 0.03 Conforming steel 30 0.090 0.26 1.5 0.017 0.002 0.05 0.0050 0.082 0.0017 Pb: 0.004, W: 0.12 Conforming steel 31 0.169 0.13 1.0 0.022 0.002 0.03 0.0044 0.079 0.046 0.10 Zr: 0.04 Conforming steel 32 0.109 0.33 1.7 0.013 0.003 0.04 0.0056 0.065 Zn: 0.0012 Conforming steel 33 0.189 0.37 1.9 0.011 0.002 0.02 0.0030 0.075 REM: 0.06 Conforming steel
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Hot rolling conditions Continuous annealing conditions Steel Slab heating Finisher delivery Average Coiling Maximum heating sheet Steel temperature temperature cooling rate*.sup.1 temperature temperature A.sub.1*.sup.2 A.sub.3*.sup.3 (A.sub.3 + A.sub.1)/2 No. No. ( C.) ( C.) ( C./s) ( C.) ( C.) ( C.) ( C.) ( C.) 1 1 1220 920 63 380 720 730 927 829 2 2 1220 910 81 390 800 731 910 820 3 3 1220 860 86 460 710 732 867 800 4 4 1220 950 46 390 830 736 921 829 5 5 1220 890 64 410 730 725 874 800 6 6 1220 950 78 360 790 721 860 790 7 7 1220 950 68 460 760 708 822 765 8 8 1220 850 47 340 710 730 881 805 9 9 1220 920 52 460 780 724 860 792 10 10 1200 900 83 330 750 724 862 793 11 11 1200 860 52 360 710 715 923 819 12 12 1200 900 60 470 780 728 876 802 13 13 1200 830 60 470 710 731 854 792 14 14 1200 870 17 480 710 731 844 787 15 15 1220 900 80 560 770 724 914 819 16 16 1220 900 76 300 640 722 868 795 17 17 1220 890 59 450 850 728 854 791 18 18 1220 890 76 430 730 727 881 804 19 19 1220 880 70 390 720 725 910 817 20 20 1220 890 49 320 730 722 887 804 21 21 1220 890 84 460 770 726 870 798 22 22 1220 900 69 350 760 725 881 803 23 23 1180 920 58 450 740 719 861 790 24 24 1180 900 58 350 770 720 880 800 25 25 1220 900 45 340 760 731 853 792 26 26 1220 890 49 310 750 721 922 821 27 27 1220 900 85 320 750 718 861 789 28 28 1220 910 57 420 780 722 869 796 29 29 1220 900 79 370 780 725 896 811 30 30 1220 900 76 410 770 722 896 809 31 31 1220 890 78 410 750 729 865 797 32 32 1220 910 60 440 780 723 878 801 33 33 1220 870 75 420 710 722 841 782 Continuous annealing conditions Steel Holding Holding Average Holding Coating or sheet time 1*.sup.4 time 2*.sup.5 cooling rate*.sup.6 time 3*.sup.7 plating Alloying No. (s) (s) ( C./s) (s) treatment treatment Remarks 1 120 20 12 110 Comparative Example 2 130 70 12 110 Example 3 190 20 15 110 Performed Example 4 150 100 13 80 Comparative Example 5 170 30 14 60 Performed Performed Example 6 210 70 16 110 Example 7 40 50 9 70 Comparative Example 8 110 20 12 90 Comparative Example 9 170 60 14 50 Example 10 190 40 15 70 Performed Performed Example 11 60 20 9 50 Comparative Example 12 130 60 13 80 Performed Example 13 190 20 15 100 Comparative Example 14 220 20 16 90 Comparative Example 15 50 50 9 80 Comparative Example 16 180 0 14 60 Comparative Example 17 190 80 15 80 Comparative Example 18 15 30 12 80 Comparative Example 19 1150 20 10 90 Comparative Example 20 130 230 12 70 Comparative Example 21 150 20 4 70 Comparative Example 22 140 30 13 5 Comparative Example 23 110 50 13 70 Performed Performed Example 24 170 50 14 70 Performed Performed Example 25 210 40 15 40 Performed Performed Example 26 50 50 9 40 Performed Performed Example 27 210 50 15 40 Performed Example 28 160 40 14 50 Performed Example 29 120 40 12 100 Performed Example 30 100 60 11 60 Example 31 450 60 15 90 Example 32 190 50 12 50 Example 33 540 40 16 40 Example *.sup.1average cooling rate until steel sheet temperature reaches 500 C. after finish rolling *.sup.2A.sub.1 point = 751 26.6 [% C] + 17.6 [% Si] 11.6 [% Mn] + 22.5 [% Mo] + 233 [% Nb] 39.7 [% V] 57 [% Ti] 895 [% B] 169 [% Al] ([% X] is content of X element in steel (mass %)) *.sup.3A.sub.3 point = 937 476.5 [% C] + 56 [% Si] 19.7 [% Mn] + 38.1 [% Mo] + 124.8 [% V] + 136.3 [% Ti] 19 [% Nb] + 3315 [% B] ([% X] is content of X element in steel (mass %)) *.sup.4holding time of steel sheet temperature in temperature range of 600 C. or more and 700 C. or less *.sup.5holding time of steel sheet temperature in temperature range of more than 700 C. *.sup.6average cooling rate from maximum heating temperature to 530 C. *.sup.7holding time in temperature range of 470 C. or more and 530 C. or less after cooling stops
[0114] A test piece was collected from each obtained hot rolled steel sheet, and subjected to microstructure observation, average dislocation density measurement, a tensile test, a hole expansion test, a blanking test, and manufacturing stability evaluation. The evaluation results are listed in Table 3. The test methods are as follows.
[0115] (i) Microstructure Observation
[0116] A test piece was collected from each obtained hot rolled steel sheet, and polished in a cross-section (L cross-section) parallel to the rolling direction of the test piece and etched by nital. A micrograph taken with a scanning electron microscope (1000, 3000, 5000 magnifications) was used to determine the total area ratio of tempered bainite phase and tempered martensite phase, the area ratio of coarse pearlite phase, the total area ratio of martensite phase and retained austenite phase (MA), and the area ratio of phase other than these, through the use of an image analyzer. It is difficult to distinguish martensite phase and retained austenite phase from each other with a scanning electron micrograph. In this example, however, the total area ratio of coarse pearlite phase, martensite phase, and retained austenite phase is important, and accordingly the total area ratio of martensite phase and retained austenite phase (MA) was determined without distinguishing martensite phase and retained austenite phase from each other.
[0117] Moreover, a thin film made from each hot rolled steel sheet was observed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), to measure the lath width in tempered bainite and tempered martensite and determine the proportion of Fe-based carbides with an aspect ratio of 5 or less in Fe-based carbides precipitated inside and at the boundaries of laths and the average particle size of MC-type carbides precipitated inside and at the boundaries of laths.
[0118] The lath width in tempered bainite and tempered martensite was measured as follows. In a transmission electron micrograph of 120 mm80 mm in size taken for 10 observation fields at 30000 magnifications, five straight lines orthogonal to the major axes of three or more consecutively aligned laths were drawn at intervals of 10 mm, the length of each line segment where the corresponding straight line intersects with the lath boundaries was measured, and the average length of the line segments was set as the average lath width.
[0119] The proportion of Fe-based carbides with an aspect ratio of 5 or less in Fe-based carbides precipitated inside and at the boundaries of laths was determined as follows. In a micrograph taken at 165000 magnifications, the major axis length and the minor axis length were measured for at least 100 particles of Fe-based carbides precipitated inside and at the boundaries of laths for 5 observation fields in total, to calculate the aspect ratio. The proportion of Fe-based carbides with an aspect ratio of 5 or less was thus determined. The average particle size of MC-type carbides was determined as follows. In a micrograph taken at 300000 magnifications, the diameter was measured for at least 100 particles of MC-type carbides such as TiC for 5 observation fields in total, and an arithmetic average (average particle size d.sub.def) was calculated. The lower limit of the measured particle size was 2 nm.
[0120] (ii) Average Dislocation Density Measurement
[0121] A test piece was collected from each obtained hot rolled steel sheet, and the dislocation density of a portion in sheet thickness was measured. Assuming that the dislocation density of a portion in sheet thickness represents the average dislocation density of the steel sheet, the measurement was set as average dislocation density. The collected test piece was subjected to mechanical grinding and also polishing with oxalic acid for 0.1 mm, to adjust the sample so that the portion in sheet thickness was exposed to the surface. Polishing with oxalic acid was intended to remove the layer worked by grinding.
[0122] For the sample adjusted in this way, the strain of the steel sheet was measured by an X-ray diffractometer. With an X-ray diffractometer, the diffraction intensity of (110) plane, (211) plane, and (220) plane of -iron in the portion in sheet thickness was measured using CoK rays. The half-value breadth of the peak value of the reflection intensity of each crystal plane was calculated from the obtained measurement chart, and the local strain applied to the steel sheet was determined according to the following Expressions (1) and (2).
cos/=0.9/D+2sin/(1)
where is the half-value breadth of the peak value (the value corrected according to Expression (2) was used), is the diffraction angle, is the wavelength of CoK rays (0.1790 nm), D is the crystallite size (dislocation cell, crystal grain size), and is the local strain.
.sup.2=.sub.m.sup.2B.sub.0.sup.2 (2)
where .sub.m is the half-value breadth of the peak of the sample subjected to dislocation density measurement, and .sub.0 is the half-value breadth of the peak of a strain-free sample.
[0123] Here, cos/ was plotted against sin/, and and D were calculated from the slope and the intercept. From the obtained local strain , the dislocation density was determined according to the following Expression (3).
=14.4.sup.2/b.sup.2 (3)
where b is the Burgers vector (0.248 nm).
[0124] (iii) Tensile Test
[0125] A JIS No. 5 tensile test piece (JIS Z 2001) was collected from each obtained hot rolled steel sheet so that the direction (C direction) orthogonal to the rolling direction was the tensile direction, and subjected to a tensile test in conformity with JIS Z 2241 to measure yield strength (YS), tensile strength (TS), and elongation (El).
[0126] (iv) Hole Expansion Test
[0127] A test piece (size: 100 mm100 mm) was collected from each obtained hot rolled steel sheet, and blanked with a hole of 10 mm in initial diameter d.sub.0 (clearance: 12.5% of the test piece sheet thickness). A hole expansion test was conducted using the test piece. In detail, a conical punch with a vertex angle of 60 was inserted into the hole of 10 mm in initial diameter d.sub.0 from the punch side at the time of blanking, to expand the hole. The diameter d (mm) of the hole when a crack ran through the steel sheet (test piece) was measured, and the hole expansion ratio (%) was calculated according to the following expression.
Hole expansion ratio (%)={(dd.sub.0)/d.sub.0}100.
[0128] The stretch flangeability was evaluated as favorable in the case where tensile strength (TS){hole expansion ratio (X)}.sup.0.5 was 6200.Math.MPa %.sup.0.5 or more.
[0129] (v) Blanking Test
[0130] A test piece (size: 30 mm30 mm) was collected from each obtained hot rolled steel sheet, and blanked with a hole of 10 mm in diameter d.sub.0 (clearance: 20%, 30% of the test piece sheet thickness). After the blanking, the fracture state of the punched end surface was observed by a microscope (50 magnifications) on the whole circumference of the punch hole, to observe whether or not any crack, chip, or brittle fracture occurred. The blanking workability was evaluated as pass if there was no crack, chip, or brittle fracture, and fail otherwise.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Metallic microstructure Proportion of Fe- Average width based carbides Average particle Average Steel Area ratio*.sup.1 (%) of laths in TB with aspect ratio size of MC-type dislocation sheet Steel Coarse and TM of 5 or less carbides density No. No. TB + TM Coarse P MA P + MA Balance (m) (%) (nm) (10.sup.14 m.sup.2) 1 1 54 0 0 0 46 1.4 96 2 10 2 2 75 0 2 2 23 0.3 97 10 4 3 3 100 0 0 0 0 0.3 99 2 2 4 4 45 0 0 0 55 1.1 85 17 16 5 5 100 0 0 0 0 0.6 91 3 10 6 6 72 0 3 3 25 0.3 96 8 5 7 7 71 3 14 17 12 0.5 93 5 8 8 8 100 0 0 0 0 1.8 86 Not observed 15 9 9 74 0 3 3 23 0.6 87 3 14 10 10 87 0 1 1 12 0.5 98 8 3 11 11 100 0 0 0 0 0.6 87 5 14 12 12 77 0 2 2 21 0.5 90 2 11 13 13 64 0 0 0 36 0.4 90 7 11 14 14 58 0 0 0 42 0.4 91 4 10 15 15 0 2 10 12 88 No lath 97 2 4 observed 16 16 100 0 0 0 0 0.6 55 7 56 17 17 22 0 2 2 66 1.9 90 28 11 18 18 97 0 0 0 3 1.1 95 2 6 19 19 100 0 0 0 0 0.4 No inside and 6 8 between laths 20 20 95 0 0 0 5 1.6 No inside and 22 15 between laths 21 21 80 10 2 12 8 0.4 98 8 3 22 22 85 0 13 13 2 0.3 93 3 8 23 23 89 0 1 1 10 0.6 93 2 12 24 24 80 0 2 2 18 0.4 89 3 12 25 25 84 0 2 2 14 0.6 85 6 16 26 26 90 1 1 2 8 0.6 86 5 15 27 27 85 0 2 2 13 0.6 98 3 3 28 28 75 0 3 3 22 0.5 89 6 12 29 29 79 0 2 2 19 0.2 96 5 5 30 30 82 0 2 2 16 0.4 95 4 6 31 31 89 0 1 1 10 0.3 96 4 5 32 32 76 0 2 2 22 0.5 90 7 11 33 33 100 0 0 0 0 0.6 95 7 6 Mechanical properties Steel Yield Tensile Hole expansion sheet strength strength Elongation ratio TS .sup.0.5 Blanking No. (MPa) (MPa) (%) (%) (MPa %.sup.0.5) workability Remarks 1 674 723 20 92 6935 Pass Comparative Example 2 679 803 17 83 7316 Pass Example 3 773 823 17 71 6935 Pass Example 4 543 638 23 134 7385 Pass Comparative Example 5 816 887 18 61 6928 Pass Example 6 733 894 16 62 7039 Pass Example 7 711 997 15 18 4230 Pass Comparative Example 8 592 627 24 116 6753 Pass Comparative Example 9 707 846 19 78 7472 Pass Example 10 875 992 15 46 6728 Pass Example 11 993 1056 15 26 5385 Fail Comparative Example 12 668 785 19 93 7570 Pass Example 13 678 724 20 93 6982 Pass Comparative Example 14 629 673 22 107 6962 Pass Comparative Example 15 577 730 20 102 7373 Pass Comparative Example 16 916 1035 15 43 6787 Fail Comparative Example 17 658 727 21 92 6973 Pass Comparative Example 18 653 713 21 100 7130 Pass Comparative Example 19 742 796 18 81 7164 Fail Comparative Example 20 681 745 20 83 6787 Fail Comparative Example 21 730 810 19 53 5897 Pass Comparative Example 22 714 928 16 32 5250 Pass Comparative Example 23 710 831 19 74 7149 Pass Example 24 823 960 16 53 6989 Pass Example 25 877 1008 16 46 6837 Pass Example 26 802 889 18 62 7000 Pass Example 27 917 1039 16 41 6653 Pass Example 28 732 867 18 71 7305 Pass Example 29 751 879 16 68 7248 Pass Example 30 714 821 19 80 7343 Pass Example 31 817 917 16 58 6984 Pass Example 32 683 805 20 86 7465 Pass Example 33 873 933 17 52 6728 Pass Example *.sup.1TB: tempered bainite, TM: tempered martensite, P: pearlite, MA: martensite + retained austenite *.sup.2all observed Fe-based carbides are cementite
[0131] As can be seen from Table 3, in all Examples, a hot rolled steel sheet having high strength such as a tensile strength (TS) of 780 MPa or more and excellent stretch flangeability and blanking workability was obtained.
[0132] To evaluate the variations of the mechanical properties of each steel sheet, 100 JIS No. 5 tensile test pieces (JIS Z 2001) were optionally collected from the whole length and whole width of the hot rolled steel sheets of Examples so that the orthogonal direction (C direction) was the tensile direction. A tensile test was conducted in conformity with JIS Z 2241 to measure the tensile strength (TS), and their standard deviation was calculated. In all Examples, the standard deviation of the tensile strength (TS) was 10 MPa or less.
[0133] Thus, in all Examples, the mechanical properties of the steel sheet such as tensile strength (TS) had little variations, exhibiting excellent manufacturing stability.