Technological Challenges and Solutions for the Production of State-of-the-Art Second- and Third-Generation AHSS Grades

The challenge to develop new steel grades with superior mechanical properties in terms of yield strength and deformation behavior has to take into consideration technical, processing, marketing, and economic aspects. The environmental impact in regard to a life cycle assessment is already for AHSS grades very favorable as less material has to be produced and processed on one hand coupled with substantial lower weight to logistically be handled. The technical challenges during production and processing cover the complete process chain from steelmaking, casting, rolling, coating, and annealing.