WARM PRESS FORMING OF STAINLESS STEEL SHEETS.

The effect of 'warm press forming' on the press formability of stainless steel sheets in deep drawing and restriking was studied. The result indicates that the press formability of both austenitic and ferritic steels is markedly improved by the compositional control of materials and the suitable selection of warm press forming conditions. The application of a newly developed heat resisting lubricant which can easily be coated and removed because of being water-soluble is to make industrialization of warm press forming possible. It is noted that the problems of delayed fracture and ridging associated with austenitic and ferritic steels, respectively, during conventional press forming at room temperature can be avoided or reduced by the employment of this press forming technique.