iCUT eurecat

Integrative cutting solutions to produce high performance automotive components with high-manganese (HMnS) steel sheet.

Currently, there is a lack of knowledge about the effects of the cutting processes on the mechanical properties and formability of HMnS. This complicates their extensive industrial application because non-optimized cutting could cause a dramatic reduction of part performance. A detailed investigation regarding the quality of the cut edge that determines fatigue and delayed fracture resistance is needed to face the industrial implementation of HMnS in structural vehicle parts.

The iCUT project has the objective to describe the relationship between the cut edge characteristics and the fatigue, H-embrittlement and formability of HMnS steels and to provide the clues to overcome the detrimental effects of the imperfections introduced in the cut edge during cutting processes. During the project, cutting parameters and cutting technology which will allow producing high performance HMnS parts will be determined.

The characterization of the edge features is done for different cutting technologies such as blanking, waterjet, spark erosion and laser cutting, taking into account the influence of the cutting parameters. Special attention is paid to blanking, since this is the most extended sheet cutting technology.

Moreover, iCUT project includes an evaluation of the environmental impact of the different technologies by means of the life Cycle Assessment methodology.

The consortium is formed by Eurecat, acting as the project coordinator, together with the RWTH Aachen University, the Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung GmbH (SZMF), Rovalma and the Ricerche Fiat Centre (CRF).

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General details

Project 

iCUT – Integrative cutting solutions to produce high performance Automotive components with high-Mn steel sheet

Project reference

RFSR-CT-2015-00018

Programme and call for tender

Project financed by the call RFCS (Research Fund for Coal and Steel) of the European Union, 2015

More information

http://icut.ctm.com.es/

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