Master critical forming with xpand®

Photo of hole expansion test with simulation
Foto einer berasterten Lochaufweitprobe

The development of new light-weight construction solutions in automobile manufacturing calls for the manufacture of increasingly complex component geometries. In order to guarantee a high level of process reliability, also during critical forming steps, Salzgitter Flachstahl has enhanced its multiphase steels. This new multiphase steel generation has the term xpand® added to its name.

The term xpand® is based on the Latin word expandere (=extend, expand) and stands for a guaranteed, increased capacity for hole expansion in the steel.
The xpand® steels' forming characteristics are optimized by the higher hole expansion ratio and enable the manufacture of more complex component geometries. Due to the fact that xpand® steels exhibit reduced susceptibility to edge cracks, it is possible to lower the outage risk in spite of thinner sheet thicknesses. This guarantees customers a reliable adjustment of the manufacturing processes - also in connection with critical forming processes.
Now, with xpand® Salzgitter Flachstahl ranks as the only producer to guarantee higher hole expansion ratios up to 75% and extra low susceptibility to edge cracks:

Steel grade VDA designation    Thickness in mm Width in mm Yield strength in MPa (longitudinal) Tensile strength in MPa (longitudinal) Guaranteed hole Expansion ratio
SZBS600xpand® - 2.00 - 6.00 900 - 1,500 480 - 5801 590 - 6701 75 %
SZBS800xpand®40 - 1.80 - 8.00 900 - 1,500 ≥6801 800 - 9801 40 %
SZBS800xpand®50 - 1.80 - 8.00 900 - 1,500 ≥6801 800 - 9801 40 %
HCT600Xxpand®+Z CR330Y590T-DP 0.50 - 3.00 900 - 1,750 340 - 420 600 - 700 50 %
HCT780Xxpand®+Z CR440Y780T-DP 0.70 - 2.50 900 - 1,800 440 - 550 780 - 900 30%
HCT780Cxpand®+Z CR570Y780T-CP 0.70 - 2.00 900 - 1,800 500 - 700 ≥780 40 %
HCT980Xxpand®+Z CR590Y980T-DP 1.00 - 2.00 900 - 1,350 600 - 750 980 - 1,130 20 %
CR650Y980T-DP 1.00 - 2.00 900 - 1,350 660 - 810 980 - 1,130 20 %
HCT980XGxpand® CR700Y980T-DP 1.00 - 2.00 900 - 1,350 700 - 850 980 - 1,130 20 %
  1. The samples are taken transverse to rolling direction.
  2. Thicknesses from 1.00 mm and widths from 1,200 mm are available on request.
Lochaufweitprobe
Hole expansion test

Salzgitter Flachstahl additionally delivers a 3.1 certificate including the hole expansion test result for the ordered material for each xpand® grade ordered. Consequently, processors can convince themselves of the quality of the xpand® grades even before using them.