Edge fracture of the first and third-generation high-strength steels: DP1000 and QP1000

Abstract Advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) have shown profound progress in improving tensile ductility or global formality in the last decades over three generations. For a complete assessment of both the global and local formability, this study aims to characterize and compare the tensile and edge fracture behavior of the first and third-generation AHSS (dual-phase steel and quenching & partitioning steel) with the same nominal strength level of 980 MPa. Uniaxial tensile tests are performed to characterize the tensile properties. Hole expansion tests are conducted with two edge conditions based on separated preparation techniques (waterjet with polishing and punching) to investigate the edge fracture for both materials. The hole expansion ratios and edge fractures are compared between two materials and two edge conditions. It is concluded that the investigated QP1000 has promoted global formability while the DP1000 shows better local formability due to its damage-tolerant and crack-resistant responses.