TAILORED PROPERTIES BY POST HOT FORMING PROCESSING

摘要

A method of forming a product from an initial blank comprises subjecting the initial blank to a hot forming and press hardening operation to form the product with substantially a uniform first tensile strength. Subsequently, the product is subjected to post hot-forming processing in which a first region of the product is heated selectively to above a known temperature, using one of conduction heating, resistance heating and induction heating. The first region is then cooled, such that the first region attains a second tensile strength that is substantially less than the first tensile strength.