Testing formability in the hot stamping of HSS

This paper presents an innovative experimental procedure, based on Nakazima test, for evaluating the formability limits in the hot stamping of high strength steel (HSS) which is capable of generating formability data suitable for an FE modelling of the process. The approach is based on two complementary tests which are aimed at evaluating the actual phase transformation kinetics for the material under deformation conditions and the combinations of microstructure, temperature and straining path that lead to localized necking or fracture