Hot-formed profile

Abstract

A method for producing a metal profile includes producing a metal component from a semi-finished product or a blank by a hot forming and hardening process and bending the metal component along at least one bending edge. Bending is simplified according to the invention in that, before forming, the metal component is heated along the bending edge in such a way that the strength is reduced in a heated region after heating. The metal profile, produced with this method, has at least one bending edge at which the strength of the metal profile is reduced. In addition the metal profile can be used in a motor vehicle body, in particular as A- and/or B-pillar.

1 . Method for producing a metal profile, wherein a metal component is produced from a semi-finished product or a blank by a hot forming and press hardening process and the metal component is bent along at least one bending edge, wherein the metal component, before forming, is heated at least partially along at least one bending edge in such a way that strength is reduced in a heated region after heating. 
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the semi-finished product or the blank substantially consists of a high or maximum strength steel. 
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one bending edge is heated with a laser beam. 
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal component is bent along at least one bending edge in such a way that a metal profile, which is at least partially closed, is produced by the bending. 
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal component exhibits a substantially W-shaped cross section, wherein optionally at least one bending edge is arranged substantially in the center of the W-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two regions, separated by at least one bending edge, of the metal profile are bonded at least partly positively in a contact area. 
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal component is additionally heated in a region of at least one positively bonded join, so that the strength in the heated region is reduced after heating. 
     
     
         8 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the size of heated regions of at least one bending edge and/or of the positively bonded join is adapted oriented on use. 
     
     
         9 . Metal profile, produced in a method of  claim 1 , with at least one bending edge, wherein the metal profile in the vicinity of at least one bending edge exhibits a strength, which is reduced relative to the average strength of the metal profile. 
     
     
         10 . Metal profile according to  claim 9 , wherein the metal profile is at least partially closed. 
     
     
         11 . Metal profile according to  claim 9 , wherein at least two regions, separated by at least one bending edge, of the metal profile are joined by at least one weld seam. 
     
     
         12 . Metal profile according to  claim 9 , wherein the metal profile in a region of at least one positively bonded join exhibits a strength, which is reduced relative to the average strength of the metal profile. 
     
     
         13 . Metal profile according to  claim 9 , wherein the size of the regions, heated after hot forming and hardening, with the strength reduced relative to the average strength of the remaining metal profile are adapted oriented on use. 
     
     
         14 . Metal profile according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one bending edge and one contact region of the metal profile face each other. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . Method according to  claim 2 , wherein the high or maximum strength steel comprises a manganese boron steel.