Development of Pre-Coated Boron Steel for Applications on PSA Peugeot Citroën and RENAULT Bodies in White 2002-01-2048

The automotive industry have to face with its will to increase the safety of the passengers and the necessity to reduce the pollutant emissions. Besides, the customers expect more and more high vehicle quality and especially as far as corrosion is concerned.

The development of the pre-coated boron steel associated with the hot stamping allows PSA Peugeot Citroën and RENAULT to lighten their parts significantly and fulfill the automotive corrosion requirements.

The benefit in crash resistance has been obtained by the increase of the mechanical properties after heat treatment. After a complete austenitisation in a 930°C furnace, the blanks are stamped and quenched in one step in a water cooled tool. This process allows to obtain:

YS > 950 MPa

TS > 1300 MPa.