Drawability Assessment of Steel Sheets by an Ultrasonic Method

The “on-line” characterization of parameters linked with the microstructure and the metallurgy of products is needed by the development of continuous annealing on steel thin sheets production lines. The determination of the texture of products is of great importance in this context, in order to ensure an efficient operation of annealing furnaces. Firstly, the texture determination can be used to control the recrystallization process. Secondly, a more detailed determination could provide an evaluation of sheets properties regarding their drawability. This is particularly interesting for materials used in automotive body, can production, house-hold appliances