Method for producing tubular coating-free press-hardened steel

A method to achieve variable properties of a tubular component using a coating free press hardened steel (CFPHS), comprising:

• feeding a CFPHS continuous tubular component into a heating unit having induction heating coils;
• energizing the induction heating coils using a variable power supply;
• heating the CFPHS continuous tubular component by generating varying and localized current intensities within the heating unit and across the CFPHS continuous tubular component by operating predetermined ones of the induction heating coils;
• bending the CFPHS continuous tubular component using a bending unit;
• and
• cooling the CFPHS continuous tubular component using ambient air.

A method for producing induction-hardened tubular components using a coating free press hardened steel (CFPHS), comprising:

• feeding a CFPHS continuous tubular component into a heating unit having at least one induction heating coil;
• heating the CFPHS continuous tubular component using the heating unit having at least one induction heating coil, wherein the at least one induction heating coil provides varying temperatures along a length of the CFPHS continuous tubular component to produce tailored properties;
• soaking the CFPHS continuous tubular component between 875° C. and 1200° C. for less than 30 seconds to achieve a fully austenitized microstructure;
• bending the CFPHS continuous tubular component using a bending unit before the CFPHS continuous tubular component is cooled, wherein the bending unit includes roll bending;
• and
• cooling the CFPHS continuous tubular component using ambient air to transform the fully austenitized microstructure to martensite.