Effect of Mechanical Cut-Edges on the Fatigue and Formability Performance of Advanced High-Strength Steels

Mechanical cut-edge properties influence the fatigue lives and formability capacity of advanced high-strength steels. This factor is critical as S355MC and DP600 exhibited an increased sensitivity to fatigue cracks initiating from defects on the cut-edge fracture zone. Mechanical cut-edges as a result displayed a decreased level of formability that was highly dependent on the cut-edge surface and internal microstructure of the cut-edge produced. It was determined that, by controlling the mechanical clearance, optimized mechanical cut-edges were produced. This was achieved through minimizing surface damage and by controlling the internal and topographical properties of the cut-edge zones.