Manganese-boron steels are tempered boron-alloy steels. They are noted especially for their good formability in delivery condition and excellent strength after heat treatment. This is thanks in part to the carbon and manganese content, as well as the low boron content, which is no more than a few thousandths of a percent.
Manganese-boron steels are used in press hardening, a process in the development of lightweight components, such as in the automotive industry. They are also increasingly used in a wide range of applications as a substitute for case-hardened and tempered steels, in line with DIN EN 10132. Compared to these grades, the strength of manganese-boron steels means the carbon content can be reduced, thereby significantly improving weldability.
Of course, these steels also offer all the benefits of cold-rolled products, including:
• Very tight thickness and width tolerances
• Extremely consistent mechanical properties
• Application-specific surfaces