How to Predict Premature Multiphase Steel Cracks during Edge Flangeability

The present paper makes a critical review based on the literature and presents examples of experiments developed by the authors, showing how the hole expansion ratio test (HERT) could be useful to understand and avoid premature cracks caused by flanging operations in sheet metal parts made of advanced high-strength steels. An approach based on damage theory was evaluated along with the mechanical tests necessary to understand the phenomenon, the influence of the trimming process, and the correlation between experimental mechanical testing and simulations. The procedures presented in this work allow for the prediction of edge cracks, often verified after flanging steps during the stamping process, allowing for reductions in tooling costs and setup loops