Investigation of masking concepts for influencing the austenitization process during press hardening

One possibility to adjust tailored properties in hot stamping is the application of a masking concept to prevent a complete austenitization. In this study different concepts were investigated in order to use them as a suitable masking. A simulation model of the heating phase was developed for the purpose of predicting the resulting microstructure and hardness. Experimentally determined temperature profiles were used for the numerical model. The numerical results of the temperature profile and hardness were validated by experimental investigations and non-destructive hardness measurements. The simulated hardness is in adequate agreement with the measured hardness