초록
An high frequency induction hardening technology of vehicle body press-formed of thin sheet steel has been developed to increase the strength of vehicle body parts locally by high frequency induction heating, thereby eliminating the need for reinforcements. And this technique for increasing the tensile strength of sheet steel was practically applied to the front floor cross member and center pillar reinforcement of a passenger car. The side impact behavior has been investigated when induction hardening technology is applied to the conventional low-carbon steel and weight reduction of an automotive body is expected. In this paper, basic experiments were performed for the hat-shaped specimen under high frequency induction heating process. Martensitic transformation was found in the heating zone through microscopic observation which showed higher hardness. In addition, the hardness and strength of the center-pillar specimen made of boron steel increased remarkably by high frequency induction heating.