High edge (HE) ductility HSLA steel

Unlike conventional HSLA steels, high edge ductility steels have a much finer microstructure and perlite distribution. This microstructure provides for higher formability, tighter radii bending, and crack-free sheared cuts – even on stretched edges. HE steel’s advanced microstructure is achieved by using exceptionally clean and closely controlled steelmaking processes. The high edge steel also has a low alloy content, making welding straightforward using conventional processes.

An improvement of 30 percentage points in hole expansion ratio compared to conventional HSLA steels.

• Greatly increased local formability, providing ductility for complex geometries on stretched edges.
• Excellent cut/sheared edge quality, significantly reducing micro cracks and burrs.
• Bending radius of 0.0 xt can be achieved.
• Excellent for fineblanking and energy-efficient cold-forming of automotive parts with complex edges.

When a design needs higher edge ductility than provided by conventional HSLA grades, we recommend Docol HE.

• Beams and cross members
• Suspension systems
• Chassis
• Wheels
  

For best weight reduction, use higher grades with reduced thicknesses. All Docol HE grades are hot-rolled and meet EN10051 dimensional tolerances.

Looking for conventional automotive steels with tensile strengths from 550 MPa to 700 MPa in HSLA grades?

• Excellent for fineblanking.
• 30% better hole expansion ratios than conventional HSLA.
• Guaranteed bending radius of 0.0 xt.
• Enables crack-free forming operations along multiple, complex sheared stretched edges.
• Excellent for cold-forming of automotive components.
• Low alloy composition allows conventional welding and resistance spot welding.
• Reduced tool wear.

For specific forming guidance for your high edge ductility component, please contact our Technical Support.

Safety engineers: Design crash-related safety components with stretched punched edges that are free of micro-cracks and subsequent part failure.

Production engineers: Reduce micro cracks, burrs, and other defects on complex sheared stretched edges. Leverage the higher hole expansion ratios of Docol HE HSLA/AHSS steels in new, demanding part designs.

Lightweighting engineers: Achieve thinner and lighter parts by specifying SSAB’s new, higher strength Docol HE AHSS grades.

Procurement officers: Buy less materials, as you greatly reduce the number of defective components with cracked sheared edges.

Sustainability officers: Due to the extreme efficiency of our steelmaking processes, Docol HE steels made from virgin iron ore have the same CO₂ footprint as recycled steels. And SSAB Fossil-Free Docol steels will be available in 2026.

With our Trial Material Stock Center, you can get AHSS samples for most of our commercially available steels – as well as samples for our newest but not yet commercially released grades. Unique to the industry, we ship coils, sheets and custom lengths of any size. In 1 to 2 weeks, your material is ready for dispatch to anywhere in the world.