Impact energy absorption capability analysis of locally softened high-strength steel bumper beams using induction heat treatment

: This study demonstrated that local heat treatment enhanced the energy-absorbing capabilities of bumper beams that are made of high-strength steel. When the metal is employed to bumper beams, structural stiffness and strength are raised, though the energy-absorbing performance is doubtful. Softening the steel locally through induction, heat treatment was seen as a solution. However, questions still remained on the location where it must be heat-treated and the appropriate level of induction power. Thus, numerical simulations were carried out to calculate energy absorption with regard to the heat treatment regions and induction power. To obtain material data, tensile tests were done on heat-treated steels based on several levels of induction power. As a result, the bumper beam that was heat-treated at the center with the largest amount of power yielded the most ideal results.