Improvement of stretch flangeability of ultra high strength steel sheet by smoothing of sheared edge

Stretch flangeability of an ultra high strength steel sheet having small ductility was increased by improving quality of a sheared edge. The effect of the quality of the sheared edge on the stretch flangeability of the high strength steel sheets was examined from expansion of a sheared hole with a conical punch. The quality of the sheared edge varied with the clearance between the punch and die, and the quality influenced the limiting expansion ratio. It was shown from measurement of surface of the sheared edge that the limiting expansion ratio of the sheared ultra high strength steel sheet is dependent on the macroscopic unevenness and hardness of the sheared edge and not on the microscopic roughness. The macroscopic unevenness of the sheared edge was eliminated by smoothing the edge with a conical punch. It was found that the smoothing of the sheared edge is effective in improving the stretch flangeability of the ultra high strength steel sheet.