Finite Element and Experimental Analyses on the Formability of Steel Sheets Produced by Compact Endless Cast and Rolling

Although the compact endless cast and rolling mill (CEM) is a promising candidate as a next-generation energy-saving steel process, due to its short history, the formability of the steel sheet produced by the CEM process are not known yet. Herein, drawability and stretchability of low-carbon steel sheets produced by the CEM process are investigated and compared with those of conventional hot-rolled low-carbon steel sheets, to estimate its applicability to industrial parts. Finite element analyses using the Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman damage model were conducted and compared with the experimental results. Homogeneous microstructure and relatively strong textures of {111}||ND γ-fibers and 〈110〉||RD α-fibers were developed in the CEM-processed steel in comparison with the conventional hot-rolled specimen. The drawn cup of the CEM specimen showed weak earing phenomena, while having higher limiting drawing ratios (2.0 and 1.95 in the experimental and numerical simulation, respectively). Furthermore, a difference in limit dome height between the two specimens is negligible. Therefore, it is confirmed that CEM-processed steels have comparable properties of strength and formability, provide an effective manufacturing process, and exhibit good potential as a next-generation energy-saving process.