Photo: Pia Nordlander, Bildn.
7 May 2025
New Method Reduces Risk of Cracks in High-Strength Steel
New research from Luleå University of Technology shows how the cutting of high-strength steel can be optimized to reduce the risk of cracks and improve the material's formability. Using advanced simulation technology, it becomes possible to create stronger and lighter structures.
When sheets of high-strength steel are cut into blanks, small defects often appear along the edges. These can later cause cracks during forming, which complicates the production of strong and lightweight components. In his doctoral thesis at Luleå University of Technology, Olle Sandin presents a new computational model that provides a better understanding of how these defects form and how they can be prevented.
"Understanding how cutting affects the edges is crucial for preventing cracks during the forming process and for facilitating the use of high-strength steel in lightweight components," says Olle Sandin, doctoral student in Solid Mechanics.
Olle Sandin, doctoral student in Solid Mechanics at Luleå University of Technology.
Advanced Simulation Captures Small but Critical Details
The new model is based on the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM), a technique that combines detailed particle simulation with finite element methods. This allows for precise tracking of how the material deforms and is damaged during cutting, even under very large deformations.
"With PFEM, we can capture the extremely localized deformations along the cut edge with high accuracy, which provides an improved picture of edge damage and its impact on forming in the subsequent steps," says Olle Sandin.
The study also shows that significant variations can occur along the cut edge depending on how the cutting is performed and the condition of the tools. By combining simulations with practical tests, the thesis highlights how critical these edge variations can be—despite the issue often being overlooked.
"By combining numerical models with experimental observations, we were able to gain a much more detailed picture of how local differences along the cut edge affect formability," says Olle Sandin.
Contact
Olle Sandin
- Doctoral student
- 0920-49
- olle.sandin@associated.ltu.se
- Olle Sandin
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