Modeling the deformation and failure of spot welds in hot-formed high carbon steels

The development of new high strength steels for use by the automotive industry has created the potential for lightweight designs that combine thin walls and low weight with high strength, rigidity and passive safety. So-called softening zones form when welding hot-formed, 22MnB5 boron alloy steels; these zones are much weaker than the surrounding material. The effect of such softening zones on the deformation and failure behavior of resistance spot-welded, hot-formed components was investigated experimentally and numerically as part of the funded FOSTA P806 project, and assessed in terms of the effect on component behavior.