As a method for producing ultrahigh strength automotive steel components with high gauge accuracy the hot stamping technology draws attention and is practiced widely today. For supporting and developing this technology, numerous researches have been actively carried out all over the world. It is a good timing to review this technology on this special issue because further rapid development is to be expected in the next decade. The hot stamping technology consists of a variety of techniques. In this review, the authors focus two items suitable to this special issue, the first one is the formability of hot stamping and the second is the technology for improving its productivity.
The review shows the importance of the temperature control at stamping parts to achieve excellent formability. Through the review on the technology for improving the productivity of hot stamping, the authors propose highly productive hot stamping processes consisting of rapid heating, short time stamping and rapid cooling.