Experimental characterization of QP1180 steel and its performance in stamping simulation: Comparison with DP1180

The increasing demand for lighter vehicles and improved safety has driven the adoption of Advanced High-Strength Steels (AHSS). Among these, third-generation Quenching and Partitioning (QP) steels stand out for their exceptional combination of ultra-high strength and ductility, attributed to the TRansformation-Induced Plasticity (TRIP) effect, making them highly suitable for automotive applications. This study focuses on the characterization of QP1180 steel using tensile tests, complemented by Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to analyze mechanical behavior in different rolling directions (0°, 90°, 45°). The data obtained were then integrated into Finite Element (FE) software to simulate the stamping process of a B-Pillar. The simulation results were compared with those obtained from simulating the stamping process of a first-generation steel, DP1180, with a similar tensile strength. Finally, fractographic and microstructural analyses were performed to deepen the understanding of the steel’s fracture mechanisms.