Patent Publication Number: US-2023138581-A1

Title: Steel component and production method for the same

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a steel component including a bent area and a production method for the steel component. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In recent years, in the automotive industry, there are demands for a weight reduction of a vehicle body for the purpose of improvement in fuel efficiency and enhancement in collision safety of a vehicle body. To meet these demands, wall-thinning by applying a high-strength steel sheet, optimization of sheet thicknesses by applying tailored blanks, and the like have been studied for various components constituting an automobile body. A tailored blank is, for example, a patchwork material that has a partly increased thickness by joining a plurality of stacked steel sheets together. By subjecting such a patchwork material to hot stamping (hot press working), a steel component in which a specific portion is made to have high strength can be formed. 
     For example, Patent Literatures 1 to 3 disclose making of a patchwork material by laying a flat-shaped reinforcing member on a blank and welding them together at given spots. In these Patent Literatures, the patchwork material is formed into a steel component having a substantially hat-shaped cross section. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 5488703 
         Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent No. 5741648 
         Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent No. 6125992 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In making a patchwork material, for example, a steel sheet including a zinc-based plating layer such as a galvanized steel sheet and a galvannealed steel sheet can be used. However, when a patchwork material including a steel sheet including a zinc-based plating layer is subjected to hot stamping and given a bend, liquid metal embrittlement (LME) can occur on an overlap surface between steel sheets. LME is a phenomenon in which molten zinc enters into crystal grain boundaries of a base metal of a steel sheet included in a patchwork material, and due to tension applied to the steel sheet in this state, cracks develop on the surface of the steel sheet. In other words, LME is caused to occur by presence of liquid zinc and tension produced in working. 
     An objective of the present disclosure is to prevent liquid metal embrittlement from occurring when a steel component is produced from a patchwork material by hot stamping. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A production method according to the present disclosure is a production method for a steel component that includes a bent area. The production method includes: a step of preparing a patchwork material including a first steel sheet and a second steel sheet that are laid one on another, at least one of an overlap surface of the first steel sheet to the second steel sheet and an overlap surface of the second steel sheet to the first steel sheet including a zinc-based plating layer; a step of heating the patchwork material; and a step of performing hot stamping using press tooling on the patchwork material heated in the step of heating to form the steel component in which a joint part between the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet is disposed in the bent area. When t out  denotes a sheet thickness of a steel sheet located on an outer side in the bent area out of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet, and t in  denotes a sheet thickness of a steel sheet located on an inner side in the bent area out of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet, t out /t in ≥1.1 is satisfied. The joint part is disposed in a ridge portion in the bent area or at a position in a vicinity of the ridge portion, the position satisfying d/t in &lt;8.2, where d denotes a distance from the ridge portion to the joint part when the steel component is viewed in a cross section. 
     Advantageous Effect of Invention 
     According to the present disclosure, when a steel component is produced from a patchwork material by hot stamping, liquid metal embrittlement can be prevented from occurring. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view illustrating a part of a steel component according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a II-II cross-sectional view of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3 A  is a schematic diagram for explaining each step included in a production method for a steel component according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  3 B  is another schematic diagram for explaining each step included in the production method for a steel component according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  3 C  is still another schematic diagram for explaining each step included in the production method for a steel component according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a partially enlarged view of the steel component illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  5    is another partially enlarged view of the steel component illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view of a steel component according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG.  7 A  is a schematic diagram for explaining each step included in a production method for a steel component according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  7 B  is another schematic diagram for explaining each step included in the production method for a steel component according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a partially enlarged view of the steel component illustrated in  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view illustrating a part of a steel component according to a modification of the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    is a graph showing results of evaluation in a V-bend test conducted as a first Example. 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic diagram for explaining a V-bend test conducted as a second Example. 
         FIG.  12    is a graph showing results of evaluation in the V-bend test conducted as the second Example. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A production method according to an embodiment is a production method for a steel component that includes a bent area. The production method includes: a step of preparing a patchwork material including a first steel sheet and a second steel sheet that are laid one on another, at least one of an overlap surface of the first steel sheet to the second steel sheet and an overlap surface of the second steel sheet to the first steel sheet including a zinc-based plating layer; a step of heating the patchwork material; and a step of performing hot stamping using press tooling on the patchwork material heated in the step of heating to form the steel component in which a joint part between the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet is disposed in the bent area. When t out  denotes a sheet thickness of a steel sheet located on an outer side in the bent area out of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet, and t in  denotes a sheet thickness of a steel sheet located on an inner side in the bent area out of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet, t out /t in ≥1.1 is satisfied. The joint part is disposed in a ridge portion in the bent area or at a position in a vicinity of the ridge portion, the position satisfying d/t in &lt;8.2, where d denotes a distance from the ridge portion to the joint part when the steel component is viewed in a cross section (first configuration). 
     When a bend is given to a plurality of steel sheets that are laid one on the other, if the steel sheets are not integrated together in a bent area, a neutral axis is present substantially at a center of a sheet thickness of each steel sheet. In contrast, in the production method according to the first configuration, the joint part between the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet is disposed in the bent area of the steel component. In other words, the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet are integrated together in the bent area of the steel component. In this case, in the steel component, a neutral axis provided when the bent area is formed is positioned substantially at a center of a sheet thickness of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet in a state where they are laid one on the other, rather than substantially at a center of each of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet. 
     At the same time, out of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet, a sheet thickness t in  of a steel sheet located on an inner side in the bent area is smaller than a sheet thickness t out  of a steel sheet located on an outer side in the bent area. More specifically, the sheet thicknesses t in  and t out  satisfy t out /t in ≥1.1. As a result, the overlap surfaces of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet can be positioned inner than (on a compression side of) the neutral axis in the bent area. In other words, when a steel component is produced from a patchwork material by hot stamping (hot press working), a boundary between the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet can be disposed at a location where tensile stress that is one of causes of liquid metal embrittlement (LME) substantially does not act. Consequently, even when at least one of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet includes the zinc-based plating layer and thereby liquid zinc is present in the overlap surfaces of the steel sheets in the hot stamping, it can be prevented LME from occurring in the overlap surfaces of the steel sheets. 
     Further, according to the first configuration, the joint part between the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet is disposed in the ridge portion or in a vicinity of the ridge portion in the bent area of the steel component. When the joint part is disposed in a vicinity of the ridge portion, d/t in &lt;8.2 is satisfied, where d denotes a distance from the ridge portion to the joint part when the steel component is viewed in a cross section. This enables enhancement in an effect of integrating the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet together particularly in the ridge portion, and the neutral axis provided when the patchwork material is bent is likely to be disposed substantially at a center of the sheet thickness of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet in a state where they are laid one on the other. As a result, the overlap surfaces of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet is likely to be positioned inner than (on the compression side of) the neutral axis, and thus LME can be prevented from occurring on the overlap surfaces of the steel sheets. 
     In the production method, in the step of heating, the patchwork material may be heated to a temperature that is more than or equal to a melting start temperature of the zinc-based plating layer (second configuration). 
     In the patchwork material before being heated in the step of heating, a melting start temperature of the zinc-based plating layer is, for example, 700° C. or less (third configuration). 
     In the production method, t out /t in ≥1.2 is preferably satisfied (fourth configuration). 
     When the patchwork material is bent, the neutral axis may move inward in accordance with the sheet thickness of the patchwork material and a bending radius. For that reason, in the fourth configuration, out of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet included in the patchwork material, the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet located on the outer side in the bent area that is 1.2 times or more the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet located on the inner side in the bent area is kept. As a result, disposing the overlap surfaces between the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet inner than (on the compression side of) the neutral axis becomes easier. Consequently, the occurrence of LME in the overlap surfaces between the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet can be further prevented. 
     In the production method, the joint part between the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet is preferably disposed in the ridge portion in the bent area or at a position in a vicinity of the ridge portion, the position satisfying d/t in &lt;2.3 (fifth configuration). 
     According to the fifth configuration, the joint part between the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet is disposed in the ridge portion in the bent area of the steel component. Alternatively, the joint part is disposed at a position in a vicinity of the ridge portion, the position satisfying d/t in &lt;2.3. This enables the effect of integrating the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet together in the ridge portion to be further enhanced. 
     The first steel sheet and the second steel sheet are preferably subjected to continuous joining (sixth configuration). 
     According to the sixth configuration, the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet are subjected to the continuous joining. This enables the effect of integrating the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet together to be enhanced in the bent area of the steel component. 
     The overlap surface of the first steel sheet to the second steel sheet and the overlap surface of the second steel sheet to the first steel sheet may each have a zinc-based plating layer (seventh configuration). 
     According to the seventh configuration, both the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet included in the patchwork material have zinc-based plating layers on their overlap surfaces facing opposing steel sheets. In this case, an amount of zinc in the boundary between the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet becomes large, and it is considered that LME is likely to occur on the overlap surfaces between the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet when the hot stamping is performed on the patchwork material. However, as described above, the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet are integrated together in the bent area of the steel component, and additionally, the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet located on the inner side in the bend is smaller than the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet located on the outer side in the bend. As a result, in the bent area, the overlap surfaces between the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet can be positioned inner than (on the compression side of) the neutral axis. Therefore, as in the seventh configuration, even in a case where each of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet includes a zinc-based plating layer on its overlap surface to an opposing steel sheet, the occurrence of LME on the overlap surfaces between the steel sheets can be prevented. 
     In a case where each of steel sheets included in a patchwork material includes a plating layer as in the seventh configuration, oxide scales can be prevented from being produced when the patchwork material is subjected to the hot stamping. As a result, there is no need to perform processing for removing oxide scales such as shotblasting on a steel component formed from the patchwork material. Consequently, a production process for the steel component can be simplified. 
     A steel component according to an embodiment is formed of a patchwork material including a first steel sheet and a second steel sheet that are laid one on another. The steel component includes a bent area and a joint part. The joint part is disposed in the bent area and joins the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet together. In the formed steel component, the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet each include a martensite phase. At least one of an overlap surface of the first steel sheet to the second steel sheet and an overlap surface of the second steel sheet to the first steel sheet has a zinc-based plating layer. When t out  denotes a sheet thickness of a steel sheet located on an outer side in the bent area out of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet, and t in  denotes a sheet thickness of a steel sheet located on an inner side in the bent area out of the first steel sheet and the second steel sheet, t out /t in ≥1.1 is satisfied. The joint part is disposed in a ridge portion in the bent area or at a position in a vicinity of the ridge portion, the position satisfying d/t in &lt;8.2, where d denotes a distance from the ridge portion to the joint part when the steel component is viewed in a cross section (eighth configuration). 
     In the steel component, a melting start temperature of the zinc-based plating layer may be 790° C. or less (ninth configuration). 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent components will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of the parts will not be repeated. 
     First Embodiment 
     [Configuration of Steel Component] 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view illustrating a part of a steel component  100  according to a first embodiment.  FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view (II-II sectional view) of the steel component  100  illustrated in  FIG.  1   . A cross section of the steel component  100  refers to a section obtained by cutting the steel component  100  along a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. The steel component  100  is a steel-made component including bent areas A b1  and A b2 , typically a structural component to be used in an automobile body. Examples of the steel component  100  include A-pillar reinforcement, B-pillar reinforcement, bumper reinforcement, tunnel reinforcement, side sill reinforcement, roof reinforcement, and floor cross member. The steel component  100  is produced by hot stamping (hot press working). 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the steel component  100  has a cross section that is substantially hat-shaped. Specifically, the steel component  100  includes a top  10 , side walls  21  and  22 , ridge portions  31  and  32 , and flanges  41  and  42 . The top  10 , the side walls  21  and  22 , the ridge portions  31  and  32 , and the flanges  41  and  42  extend in a longitudinal direction of the steel component  100 . Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the steel component  100  will be referred to simply as a longitudinal direction for convenience of description, and an up-down direction in the paper of  FIG.  1    will be referred to simply as an up-down direction. In addition, a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the up-down direction will be referred to as a width direction. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , at one side edge of the top  10 , the side wall  21  is disposed via the ridge portion  31 . The ridge portion  31  is a bent portion (corner portion) that is formed between the top  10  and the side wall  21  in the steel component  100  and is an area between R-ends on an inner side in the bend. When viewed in a cross section of the steel component  100 , the ridge portion  31  substantially forms an arc shape. 
     The ridge portion  31  is included in the bent area A b1  of the steel component  100 . In addition to the ridge portion  31 , the bent area A b1  includes an edge portion  11  of the top  10  on the ridge portion  31  side and an edge portion (upper edge portion)  211  of the side wall  21  on the ridge portion  31  side. The one edge portion  11  of the top  10  and the upper edge portion  211  of the side wall  21  are disposed on opposite sides of the ridge portion  31  and form the bent area A b1  together with the ridge portion  31 . On the side wall  21 , at an edge portion (lower edge portion)  212  on an opposite side to the ridge portion  31 , the flange  41  is disposed. The flange  41  protrudes from the lower edge portion  212  of the side wall  21  outward in the width direction. 
     On the other side edge of the top  10 , the side wall  22  is disposed via the ridge portion  32 . The ridge portion  32  is a bent portion (corner portion) that is formed between the top  10  and the side wall  22  in the steel component  100  and is an area between R-ends on an inner side in the bend. When viewed in a cross section of the steel component  100 , the ridge portion  32  substantially forms an arc shape. 
     The ridge portion  32  is included in the bent area A b2  of the steel component  100 . In addition to the ridge portion  32 , the bent area A b2  includes an edge portion  12  of the top  10  on the ridge portion  32  side and an edge portion (upper edge portion)  221  of the side wall  22  on the ridge portion  32  side. The other edge portion  12  of the top  10  and the upper edge portion  221  of the side wall  22  are disposed on opposite sides of the ridge portion  32  and form the bent area A b2  together with the ridge portion  32 . On the side wall  22 , at an edge portion (lower edge portion)  222  on an opposite side to the ridge portion  32 , the flange  42  is disposed. The flange  42  protrudes from the lower edge portion  222  of the side wall  22  outward in the width direction. 
     The steel component  100  is formed of a patchwork material including steel sheets  51  and  52 . The patchwork material is a starting material for pressing and includes a steel sheet as a main starting material and a steel sheet as a reinforcing member. In the patchwork material, the main starting material covers the entire reinforcing member. The steel sheet as the reinforcing member is typically smaller than the steel sheet as the main starting material. In an example described in the present embodiment, the steel sheet  51  is the main starting material, and the steel sheet  52  is the reinforcing member. The steel sheet  52  is therefore smaller than the steel sheet  51 . 
     In the example described in the present embodiment, the steel sheet  52  as the reinforcing member is disposed inside the steel sheet  51  as the main starting material. Of the steel sheets  51  and  52 , letting t out  [mm] denote a sheet thickness of the steel sheet  51  located on an outer side in the bent areas A b1  and A b2  and t in  [mm] denote a sheet thickness of the steel sheet  52  located on an inner side in the bent areas A b1  and A b2 , a ratio of t out  to t in  is 1.1 or more (t out /t in ≤1.1), and preferably is 1.2 or more (t out /t in ≥1.2). In addition, the ratio of t out  to t in  is preferably 4.0 or less (t out /t in ≤4.0). The sheet thicknesses t out  and t in  can be set in the range of 0.6 mm or more to 3.2 mm or less, for example. Note that the sheet thickness t in , which is the smaller one, is preferably less than 2.7 mm. 
     The steel sheets  51  and  52  are laid one on the other and joined together. The steel sheets  51  and  52  are preferably subjected to continuous joining. The continuous joining is a joining method that results in the formation of a linear or a planar joint. The continuous joining includes continuous welding such as laser welding, arc welding, and seam welding and includes continuous depositing such as brazing. The steel sheets  51  and  52  may be subjected to discontinuous joining (welding) by, for example, spot welding. 
       FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2    illustrate an example in which linear joint parts  60  are formed in the steel component  100  as a result of joining the steel sheets  51  and  52  together by the laser welding. In each of the bent areas A b1  and A b2 , one or more joint parts  60  between the steel sheets  51  and  52  are disposed. In the example described in the present embodiment, a plurality of joint parts  60  are disposed in each of the bent areas A b1  and A b2  The joint parts  60  are each disposed in the ridge portion  31  in the bent area A b1  or in the ridge portion  32  in the bent area A b2 , or at a position that satisfies d/t in &lt;8.2 in a vicinity of (outside) one of the ridge portions  31  and  32 . When viewed in a cross section of the steel component  100 , d [mm] is a distance from the ridge portion  31  or  32  to each of the joint parts  60 . In a case where a joint part  60  is disposed in a vicinity of (outside) the ridge portion  31  in the bent area A b1 , which is one of the bent areas, the distance d between the joint part  60  and the ridge portion  31  is a distance from one of ends of the ridge portion  31  that is the closer to the joint part  60  to a joint center of the joint part  60  when viewed in a cross section of the steel component  100 . Likewise, in a case where a joint part  60  is disposed in a vicinity of (outside) the ridge portion  32  in the bent area A b2 , which is the other of the bent areas, the distance d between the joint part  60  and the ridge portion  32  is a distance from one of ends of the ridge portion  32  that is the closer to the joint part  60  to a joint center of the joint part  60  when viewed in a cross section of the steel component  100 . 
     In a case where a plurality of joint parts  60  are provided in the bent area A b1 , all of the joint parts  60  may be disposed in the ridge portion  31  or may be disposed in a vicinity of (outside) the ridge portion  31 . Alternatively, of the plurality of joint parts  60 , some joint parts  60  may be disposed in the ridge portion  31 , and the other joint parts  60  may be disposed in a vicinity of the ridge portion  31 . In a case where two or more joint parts  60  are provided in a vicinity of the ridge portion  31  in the bent area A b1 , distances d between the joint parts  60  and the ridge portion  31  may be the same or may be different from one another. 
     Likewise, in a case where a plurality of joint parts  60  are provided in the bent area A b2 , all of the joint parts  60  may be disposed in the ridge portion  32  or may be disposed in a vicinity of (outside) the ridge portion  32 . Alternatively, of the plurality of joint parts  60 , some joint parts  60  may be disposed in the ridge portion  32 , and the other joint parts  60  may be disposed in a vicinity of the ridge portion  32 . In a case where two or more joint parts  60  are provided in a vicinity of the ridge portion  32  in the bent area A b2 , distances d between the joint parts  60  and the ridge portion  32  may be the same or may be different from one another. In addition to the joint parts  60  in the bent areas A b1  and A b2 , the steel component  100  may be further provided with a joint part between the steel sheets  51  and  52  at a location in an area other than the bent areas A b1  and A b2 . 
     In the example described in the present embodiment, the joint parts  60  formed by the laser welding extend in the longitudinal direction of the steel component  100 . The joint parts  60  may extend continuously along an overall length of overlap area between the steel sheets  51  and  52  or may be each split into a plurality of subparts in the longitudinal direction. In a case where a joint part  60  is split into subparts in the longitudinal direction, a distance between adjacent subparts of the joint part  60  split into is preferably, for example, 30.0 mm or less and more preferably 20.0 mm or less. In contrast, for example, in a case where the joint parts  60  are formed by spot welding, a spot weld pitch P preferably satisfies P/t in ≤40. 
     [Method for Producing Steel Component] 
     Next, a method for producing the steel component  100  as described above will be described with reference to  FIG.  3 A  to  FIG.  3 C .  FIG.  3 A  to  FIG.  3 C  are schematic diagrams for explaining each step included in the method for producing the steel component  100 . The method for producing the steel component  100  includes a step of preparing a patchwork material being a starting material, a step of heating the patchwork material, a step of forming the patchwork material heated in the step of heating into the steel component  100  by hot stamping using press tooling. 
     (Preparation Step) 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 A , first, a patchwork material  50  to be subjected to the hot stamping is prepared. The patchwork material  50  includes steel sheets  51  and  52 . The steel sheets  51  and  52  are laid one on the other and joined together. In the example described in the present embodiment, the steel sheet  52  as a reinforcing member is wholly covered with the steel sheet  51  as a main starting material. As described above, the steel sheets  51  and  52  are preferably subjected to continuous joining. The steel sheets  51  and  52  are joined together by, for example, laser welding. Joint parts  60  between the steel sheet  51  and the steel sheet  52  are provided in at least areas  53  and  54  that are to be formed into bent areas A b1  and A b2  when the patchwork material  50  is formed into a steel component  100  ( FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   ). Note that joint parts  60  may be further provided in another area on the patchwork material  50 . 
     In the patchwork material  50 , the steel sheet  52 , which is to be disposed inside bends has a sheet thickness t in  that is smaller than a sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  51 , which is to be disposed outside the bends. Specifically, the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  51  and the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet  52  satisfy a relation of t out /t in ≥1.1. The relation between the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  51  and the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet  52  is preferably t out /t in ≥1.2. In addition, the relation between the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  51  and the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet  52  is preferably t out /t in ≤4.0. 
     At least one of an overlap surface  511  of the steel sheet  51  to the steel sheet  52  and an overlap surface  521  of the steel sheet  52  to the steel sheet  51  includes a zinc-based plating layer. In other words, at least one of the steel sheets  51  and  52  is a zinc-based plated steel sheet. In a case where one of the steel sheets  51  and  52  is a zinc-based plated steel sheet, the other steel sheet may be an aluminum-based plated steel sheet or may be a steel sheet without a plating layer on its layer (what is called bare steel). Alternatively, both steel sheets  51  and  52  may be zinc-based plated steel sheets. 
     The zinc-based plating layer is, for example, a galvanized layer or a galvannealed layer. The galvanized layer is a plating layer containing zinc (Zn) as its main component. The galvannealed layer is a plating layer containing a zinc alloy as its main component. For example, the galvannealed layer is a Zn—Fe-based plating layer, a Zn—Al-based plating layer, a Zn—Mg-based plating layer, or a Zn—Al—Mg-based plating layer. More specifically, examples of the zinc-based plating layer can include galvanized plating, galvannealed (e.g., Zn-10% Fe) plating, molten Zn-55% Al-1.6% Si plating, molten Zn-11% Al plating, molten Zn-11% Al-3% Mg plating, molten Zn-6% Al-3% Mg plating, molten Zn-11% Al-3% Mg-0.2% Si plating, electrogalvanized plating, and electrogalvanized Zn—Co plating (% means mass %). The zinc-based plating layer may be a vapor deposition plating having the same components of one of these types of plating. A weight per square-meter of the zinc-based plating layer of at least one of the steel sheet  51  and the steel sheet  52  can be determined as appropriate. A base metal steel sheet on which the zinc-based plating layer is to be formed is not limited to a specific base metal steel sheet; the base metal steel sheet can be selected as appropriate in accordance with required properties of a component. 
     (Heating Step) 
     Next, the prepared patchwork material  50  is heated to a predetermined temperature. The patchwork material  50  can be heated with, for example, a known heating furnace (not illustrated). The patchwork material  50  is heated to a temperature that is suitable for hot stamping. 
     In the patchwork material  50  before being heated in the heating step, a melting start temperature of the zinc-based plating layer between the steel sheets  51  and  52  is, for example, 700° C. or less. The patchwork material  50  is heated to at least a temperature that is not less than the melting start temperature of the zinc-based plating layer. The patchwork material  50  is heated in the heating step such that a temperature of the patchwork material  50  becomes not less than the melting start temperature of the zinc-based plating layer when the hot stamping is performed in a forming step, which is the next step. 
     (Forming Step) 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 B  and  FIG.  3 C , the patchwork material  50  heated in the heating step is subjected to pressing with a known press apparatus  70 . More specifically, press tooling  71  set in the press apparatus  70  is used to perform the hot stamping on the patchwork material  50  to form the steel component  100 . The press tooling  71  includes, for example, a punch  711  and a die  712 . As illustrated in  FIG.  3 B , the patchwork material  50  heated is placed on the punch  711  such that the steel sheet  52  faces the punch  711 . By lowering the die  712  in this state, the patchwork material  50  is formed into the steel component  100  by a convex tool surface of the punch  711  and a concave tool surface of the die  712 , as illustrated in  FIG.  3 C . In the formed steel component  100 , joint parts  60  of the steel sheets  51  and  52  are disposed in at least the bent areas A b1  and A b2 . The steel component  100  is cooled (quenched) by being brought into contact with the press tooling  71  (the punch  711  and the die  712 ). This causes martensitic transformation in base metal steel sheets, making the steel sheets  51  and  52  include martensite phases. 
     In the steel component  100 , the melting start temperature of the zinc-based plating layer between the steel sheets  51  and  52  rises by alloying with iron diffusing in the plating layer, to 790° C. or less, for example. The melting start temperature of the zinc-based plating layer after the hot stamping can be determined by extracting the zinc-based plating layer sandwiched between joining areas of the steel sheets  51  and  52  (except the steel sheets being the base metal) and conducting differential thermal analysis on the zinc-based plating layer. 
     Through the steps described above, the steel component  100  is produced. When an additional step is needed, the steel component  100  undergoes the step to be finished into its final state. 
     [Effects] 
     In the present embodiment, the steel component  100  including the bent areas A b1  and A b2  is formed by providing the patchwork material  50  including the steel sheets  51  and  52  with bends. By providing the joint parts  60  between the steel sheets  51  and  52  in the bent areas A b1  and A b2 , the steel sheets  51  and  52  are integrated together in the bent areas A b1  and A b2  As a result, as illustrated in  FIG.  4    and  FIG.  5   , when the bent areas A b1  and A b2  are formed, neutral axes N1 and N2 are substantially located at a center of an overall sheet thickness of the steel component  100  (a sheet thickness of the steel sheets  51  and  52  in a state where they are laid one on the other). 
     At the same time, in the bent areas A b1  and A b2 , the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet  52  located inside is smaller than the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  51  located outside. Specifically, the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  51  and the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet  52  satisfy t out /t in ≥1.1. As a result, the overlap surfaces  511  and  521  of the steel sheets  51  and  52  can be located inner than (on a compression side of) the neutral axes N1 and N2 in the bent areas A b1  and A b2  In other words, the overlap surfaces  511  and  521  of the steel sheets  51  and  52  can be disposed at a location where tensile stress that is one of causes of liquid metal embrittlement (LME) substantially does not act. Consequently, even in a case where at least one of the overlap surfaces  511  and  521  of the steel sheets  51  and  52  includes a galvanized layer, LME can be prevented from occurring in the overlap surfaces  511  and  521  when the patchwork material  50  including the steel sheets  51  and  52  is subjected to the hot stamping. 
     In the present embodiment, the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  51  located outside the bent areas A b1  and A b2  is preferably 1.2 times or more the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet  52  located inside the bent areas A b1  and A b2  (t out /t in ≥1.2). In this case, even if the neutral axes N1 and N2 move slightly inward by bending the patchwork material  50 , the overlap surfaces  511  and  521  of the steel sheets  51  and  52  can be disposed inner than (on the compression side of) the neutral axes N1 and N2. Consequently, the occurrence of LME in the overlap surfaces  511  and  521  can be further prevented. 
     In the present embodiment, in each of the bent areas A b1  and A b2  of the steel component  100 , at least one joint part  60  between the steel sheets  51  and  52  is disposed. In the bent areas Ab 1  and Ab 2 , the joint part  60  is disposed in one of the ridge portions  31  and  32  or in a vicinity of one of the ridge portions  31  and  32 . In a case where the joint part  60  is disposed in a vicinity of one of the ridge portions  31  and  32 , the distanced from the one of the ridge portions  31  and  32  to the joint part  60  is set such that d/t in &lt;8.2 is satisfied. This enables an effect of integrating the steel sheet  51  and the steel sheet  52  together to be enhanced in the ridge portions  31  and  32 , which are substantial bent portions. As a result, the neutral axes N1 and N2 are disposed substantially at the center of the overall sheet thickness of the steel component  100  more easily, and the overlap surfaces  511  and  521  of the steel sheets  51  and  52  satisfying t out /t in ≥1.1 can be disposed inner than (on the compression side of) the neutral axes N1 and N2. Consequently, the occurrence of LME in the overlap surfaces  511  and  521  can be prevented more easily. 
     In the present embodiment, it is more preferable that the joint parts  60  between the steel sheets  51  and  52  are disposed in one of the ridge portions  31  and  32 , or at positions that satisfy d/t in &lt;2.3 in vicinities of one of the ridge portions  31  and  32 . This enables the effect of integrating the steel sheet  51  and the steel sheet  52  together to be enhanced in the ridge portions  31  and  32 . 
     In the present embodiment, the steel sheets  51  and  52  are preferably subjected to continuous joining. The continuous joining enables the steel sheets  51  and  52  to be joined together in a linear or planar manner. As a result, as compared with discontinuous joining in which joining is performed in a dot pattern, the effect of integrating the steel sheets  51  and  52  together in the bent areas A b1  and A b2  can be enhanced. 
     In the steel component  100  and the method for producing the steel component  100  according to the present embodiment, it is only required to provide a zinc-based plated steel sheet as at least one of the steel sheets  51  and  52 ; however, both steel sheets  51  and  52  can be provided in forms of zinc-based plated steel sheets. In a case where both steel sheets  51  and  52  included in the patchwork material  50  are zinc-based plated steel sheets, oxide scales can be prevented from being produced when the patchwork material  50  is subjected to the hot stamping to be formed into the steel component  100 . As a result, there is no need to perform shotblasting or the like to remove oxide scales from the steel component  100  after the formation. Consequently, a production process for the steel component  100  can be simplified. 
     In a case where both steel sheets  51  and  52  are zinc-based plated steel sheets, an amount of zinc at a boundary between the steel sheets  51  and  52  that are laid one on the other is increased as compared with a case where one of the steel sheets  51  and  52  is a zinc-based plated steel sheet. It is considered that this makes LME prone to occur from the overlap surfaces  511  and  521  of the steel sheets  51  and  52 . However, in the present embodiment, the steel sheets  51  and  52  are integrated together in the bent areas A b1  and A b2 , and additionally, the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet  52  located inside the bends is smaller than the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  51  located outside the bends. This enables the overlap surfaces  511  and  521  of the steel sheets  51  and  52  to be disposed inner than (on the compression side of) the neutral axes N1 and N2 of the bends. Consequently, the occurrence of LME can be prevented even when each of the steel sheets  51  and  52  includes a zinc-based plating layer on its overlap surface facing an opposing steel sheet. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view of a steel component  200  according to a second embodiment. In the first embodiment, in the steel component  100  having a substantially hat-shaped cross section ( FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   ), the steel sheet  52  being a reinforcing member is disposed inside the steel sheet  51  being a main starting material. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG.  6   , in the steel component  200  having a substantially hat-shaped cross section, a steel sheet  52  is disposed outside a steel sheet  51 . Further, in the steel component  200 , while a bent area A b1  is reinforced with the steel sheet  52 , a bent area A b2  is not reinforced with the steel sheet  52 . As in the first embodiment, at least one of the steel sheets  51  and  52  is a zinc-based plated steel sheet. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the steel sheet  52  is disposed on the steel sheet  51  in the bent area A b1  of the steel component  200  and joined to the steel sheet  51 . In the present embodiment, the steel sheet  52  as a reinforcing member is disposed outside the bent area A b1 , and the steel sheet  51  as a main starting material is disposed inside the bent area A b1 . In this case, the steel sheet  52  has a larger sheet thickness t out , and the steel sheet  51  has a smaller sheet thickness t in . A ratio of the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  52  to the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet  51  is 1.1 or more (t out /t in ≥1.1) and more preferably 1.2 or more (t out /t in ≥1.2). In addition, the ratio of t out  to t in  is preferably 4.0 or less (t out /t in ≤4.0). 
     As in the first embodiment, the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet  51  and the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  52  can be set in the range of 0.6 mm or more to 3.2 mm or less, for example. Note that the sheet thickness t in , which is the smaller, is preferably less than 2.7 mm. A portion of the steel sheet  51  at which the steel sheet  52  is laid on the steel sheet  51  is recessed inward by the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  52 . This makes a surface of the steel sheet  52  substantially flush with surfaces of the other portions of the steel sheet  51 . 
     In producing the steel component  200 , a patchwork material that is a starting material of the steel component  200  is prepared and heated as in the first embodiment. Thereafter, for example, the patchwork material at a temperature that is not less than the melting start temperature of a zinc-based plating layer is subjected to hot stamping to be formed into the steel component  200 .  FIG.  7 A  and  FIG.  7 B  are schematic diagrams for explaining a forming step for the steel component  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7 A , after a heating step, a patchwork material  50  including the steel sheets  51  and  52  is conveyed to a press apparatus  80  by, for example, a roller conveyor. At this time, by arranging the steel sheet  52  being a reinforcing member on an upper side, the patchwork material  50  can be conveyed without being inclined. The patchwork material  50  is carried into the press apparatus  80  in which press tooling  81  is set. The press tooling  81  includes a punch  811  and a die  812 . 
     The patchwork material  50  is placed on the punch  811  with the steel sheet  52  facing upward. On a tool surface of the punch  811 , a recessed portion  811   a  is formed. The recessed portion  811   a  is provided at a location on the tool surface of the punch  811  corresponding to the steel sheet  52 . When compared with the other portions of the tool surface of the punch  811 , the recessed portion  811   a  is recessed substantially by the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  52 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7 B , by lowering the die  812 , the patchwork material  50  is formed into the steel component  200  by the tool surface of the punch  811  and a tool surface of the die  812 . At this time, a portion of the steel sheet  51  where the steel sheet  52  is laid on the steel sheet  51  falls into the recessed portion  811   a  of the tool surface of the punch  811  to be recessed by the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  52 . As a result, in the formed steel component  200 , a surface of the steel sheet  52  is flush with surfaces of portions of the steel sheet  51  where the steel sheet  52  is not laid on the steel sheet  51 . The steel component  200  is cooled (quenched) by being brought into contact with the press tooling  81  (the punch  811  and the die  812 ). This causes martensitic transformation in base metal steel sheets, making the steel sheets  51  and  52  include martensite phases. 
     Also, in the present embodiment, joint parts  60  between the steel sheets  51  and  52  are disposed at least in the bent area A b1  as in the first embodiment. Further, the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet  51  located inside the bent area A b1  is smaller than the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  52  located outside the bent area A b1 . Specifically, the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet  51  and the sheet thickness t out  of the steel sheet  52  satisfy t out /t in ≥1.1. As a result, overlap surfaces  511  and  521  of the steel sheets  51  and  52  can be located inner than (on a compression side of) the neutral axis N1 in the bent area A b1  as illustrated in  FIG.  8   . Consequently, even in a case where at least one of the overlap surfaces  511  and  521  of the steel sheets  51  and  52  includes a galvanized layer, LME can be prevented from occurring in the overlap surfaces  511  and  521  when the patchwork material  50  including the steel sheets  51  and  52  is subjected to the hot stamping. 
     Also, in the present embodiment, the joint parts  60  between the steel sheets  51  and  52  are disposed in a ridge portion  31  or in a vicinity of the ridge portion  31  in the bent area A b1  as in the first embodiment ( FIG.  6   ). In a case where the joint parts  60  are disposed in a vicinity of the ridge portion  31 , distances d from the ridge portion  31  to the joint parts  60  satisfy d/t in &lt;8.2 and more preferably d/t in &lt;2.3. As a result, an excellent effect of integrating the steel sheet  51  and the steel sheet  52  together can be provided in the ridge portion  31  of the steel component  200 . 
     Embodiments according to the present disclosure are described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, the embodiments are described about an example in which the linear joint parts  60  extend along the longitudinal directions of the steel components  100  and  200 . However, the configuration of the joint parts  60  is not limited to this example. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  9   , joint parts  60  may extend in a width direction of a steel component in such a manner as to pass through a bent area A b1  or A b2 . In this case, it is preferable that, in each of the bent areas A b1  and A b2 , a plurality of joint parts  60  are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the steel component at a distance of, for example, 60.0 mm or less. Note that the joint parts  60  are not necessarily linear and may be planar or in a dot pattern. 
     In the embodiments, the patchwork material  50  includes one steel sheet  52  as a reinforcing member. However, the patchwork material  50  may include two or more steel sheets  52  as reinforcing members. 
     In the steel component  100  according to the first embodiment, both bent areas A b1  and A b2  are reinforced with one steel sheet  52 . However, in the steel component  100 , the bent areas A b1  and A b2  can be reinforced with respective, separate steel sheets  52 . Alternatively, in the steel component  100 , only one of the bent areas A b1  and A b2  may be reinforced with a steel sheet  52 . 
     In the steel component  200  according to the second embodiment, only one of the bent areas, the bent area A b1 , is reinforced with the steel sheet  52 . However, in the steel component  200 , both bent areas A b1  and A b2  can be reinforced with a steel sheet  52  or steel sheets  52 . In this case, as in the first embodiment, the bent areas A b1  and A b2  may be reinforced with a common steel sheet  52 , or the bent areas A b1  and A b2  may be reinforced with respective, separate steel sheets  52 . 
     In the steel component  100  according to the first embodiment, the steel sheet  52  being a reinforcing member is disposed inside the steel sheet  51  being a main starting material. In contrast, in the steel component  200  according to the second embodiment, the steel sheet  52  being a reinforcing member is disposed outside the steel sheet  51  being a main starting material. A steel component can be configured as a combination of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. In other words, it is possible to dispose a steel sheet  52  as a reinforcing member inside a steel sheet  51  in one of bent areas A b1  and A b2  and dispose a steel sheet  52  as a reinforcing member outside the steel sheet  51  in the other of the bent areas A b1  and A b2  In this case, a sheet thickness of the steel sheet  51  is set such that the sheet thickness is larger than a sheet thickness of the steel sheet  52  disposed inside the steel sheet  51  and smaller than a sheet thickness of the steel sheet  52  disposed outside the steel sheet  51 . 
     In the embodiment, the steel components  100  and  200  each have a substantially hat-shaped cross section. However, the shape of the steel components is not limited to the hat shape. The steel components may have any shape with at least one bent area. 
     Examples 
     The present disclosure will be described below more in detail with Examples. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following Examples. 
     First Example 
     To investigate a preferable distance from the ridge portions  31  and  32  to the joint parts  60 , a numerical analysis (plane strain analysis) that simulates a V-bend test was conducted on a plurality of types of patchwork materials. The numerical analysis was conducted in an implicit static analysis using the general-purpose structural analysis software (LS-Dyna R9.1.0, manufactured by Livemore Software Technology Corporation (LSTC)). The V-bend test here refers to a test conducted in the V-block bend method, which is one of the metallic material bend test methods defined in JIS Z2248: 2006. Conditions for bending were set such that a distance between supports for a patchwork material (a trough width of a V block): 40.0 mm, a bending angle: 100°, a bending radius (inside): 3.0 mm, and a length of a bent portion (arc length): 4.2 mm. For the analysis, hot stamping was assumed, and material property data obtained by heating a steel sheet for hot stamping that had a tensile strength of a 1500 MPa class after quenching to about 900° C. was used. 
     In the analysis, a maximum principal strain in a steel sheet on an inner side in the bend at its portion on an overlap surface side facing an opposing steel sheet (an outer side in the bend) was evaluated while a distance d [mm] from an edge of the bent portion (ridge portion) to a joint part between steel sheets was changed. Results of the evaluation are shown in Table 1 and  FIG.  10   . 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Sheet thickness 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 of steel sheet 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 t [mm] 
                 t [mm] 
                 Distance d 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 on inner 
                 on outer 
                 [mm] from 
                   
                 Maximum 
               
               
                   
                 side in 
                 side in 
                 bent portion 
                   
                 principal 
               
               
                 No. 
                 bend 
                 bend 
                 to joint part 
                 d/t 
                 strain 
                 Remarks 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 3.2 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 0.044 
                 Comparative 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 example 
               
               
                 2 
                 1.6 
                 1.6 
                 0.0 
                 0.00 
                 0.046 
               
               
                 3 
                 1.6 
                 1.6 
                 1.0 
                 0.63 
                 0.046 
               
               
                 4 
                 1.6 
                 1.6 
                 3.6 
                 2.25 
                 0.048 
               
               
                 5 
                 1.6 
                 1.6 
                 4.0 
                 2.50 
                 0.060 
               
               
                 6 
                 1.6 
                 1.6 
                 7.0 
                 4.38 
                 0.061 
               
               
                 7 
                 1.6 
                 1.6 
                 10.0 
                 6.25 
                 0.065 
               
               
                 8 
                 1.6 
                 1.6 
                 13.0 
                 8.13 
                 0.070 
               
               
                 9 
                 1.6 
                 1.6 
                 14.0 
                 8.75 
                 0.078 
               
               
                 10 
                 1.6 
                 1.6 
                 15.0 
                 9.38 
                 0.080 
               
               
                 11 
                 1.6 
                 1.6 
                 20.0 
                 12.50 
                 0.086 
               
               
                 12 
                 1.6 
                 1.6 
                 25.0 
                 15.63 
                 0.090 
               
               
                 13 
                 1.6 
                 1.6 
                 30.0 
                 18.75 
                 0.092 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In Table 1, Nos. 2 to 13 show results of the evaluation on patchwork materials that were formed by joining two steel sheets each having a sheet thickness of 1.6 mm together by welding. No. 1 is a comparative example of Nos. 2 to 13, which shows a maximum principal strain that was produced when one steel sheet having a sheet thickness of 3.2 mm was subjected to bending work, at a center portion of the steel sheet in a sheet-thickness direction. 
     As shown in Table 1 and illustrated in  FIG.  10   , in a case where one steel sheet having a sheet thickness of 3.2 mm was bent (No. 1), the maximum principal strain that was produced at the central portion of the steel sheet in the sheet-thickness direction was very slight. In a case where a patchwork material formed of two steel sheets was bent, a maximum principal strain in a steel sheet on an inner side in the bend at its portion on an overlap surface side (an outer side in the bend) is small as long as a distance d from an edge of a bent portion (ridge portion) to a joint part is short. However, when d/t becomes 8.2 or more (Nos. 9 to 13), the maximum principal strain significantly increases. In this case, the effect of integrating the steel sheets together is small, and when the patchwork material is bent, a neutral axis is present substantially at a center of a sheet thickness of each steel sheet. Therefore, in a case where d/t≥8.2, presence of liquid zinc between the steel sheets is prone to cause liquid metal embrittlement (LME) to occur from an overlap surface side (an outer side of the bend) of the steel sheet on the inner side in the bend. 
     From the results, in a case where a joint part  60  is not in the bent portions (ridge portions)  31  and  32  in the steel components  100  and  200  described in the embodiments, a distanced [mm] from the ridge portion  31  or  32  to the joint part  60  is preferably set such that d/t&lt;8.2 is satisfied. In the present Example, the patchwork materials each being formed of steel sheets having the same sheet thickness t were used; however, in the embodiments, the sheet thickness t in  of the steel sheet located on an inner side in the bent areas A b1  and A b2  is different from the sheet thickness t out  located on an outer side. In this case, the smaller sheet thickness t in  is used as the sheet thickness t for determining the distance d from the ridge portion  31  or  32  to a joint part  60 . 
     Further, as shown in Table 1 and illustrated in  FIG.  10   , when d/t is less than 2.3 (No. 3 and No. 4), a maximum principal strain in a steel sheet on an inner side in the bend at its portion on an overlap surface side (an outer side in the bend) increased little from the case where one steel sheet having a sheet thickness of 3.2 mm was bent (No. 1) and a case where a joint part between steel sheets is in a ridge portion (No. 2, d=0.0 mm). Consequently, in a case where d/t&lt;2.3, the effect of integrating steel sheets together can be further enhanced, which facilitates preventing the liquid metal embrittlement (LME) from occurring from an overlap surface side (an outer side in the bend) of a steel sheet on an inner side in the bend. 
     Second Example 
     To check the movement of a neutral axis when a bend is given to a steel sheet, a numerical analysis (plane strain analysis) that simulated a V-bend test as in the first Example was conducted on a steel sheet having a sheet thickness: 1.2 mm while a bending radius (inner side) was changed. The numerical analysis was conducted in an implicit static analysis using the structural analysis software as in the first Example. In the analysis, stress values in a bending arc direction in elements were collected along a sheet-thickness direction of the steel sheet, and an element where the stress value was zero or the closest to zero among the elements was determined to be on a neutral axis. 
       FIG.  11    is a schematic diagram for explaining dimensions of portions of a steel sheet that was subjected to the V-bend test. In  FIG.  11   , an overall sheet thickness of the steel sheet is denoted by t, a bending radius is denoted by R, and sheet thicknesses of the steel sheet on an inner side and an outer side in the bend from the neutral axis are denoted by t 1  and t 2 , respectively.  FIG.  12    is a graph in which the ordinate is t 2 /t 1 , and the abscissa is R/t. Hereinafter, t 2 /t 1  will be referred to as a neutral axis position. In a case where a sheet thickness ratio t out /t in  of each patchwork material described in the embodiments is larger than the neutral axis position t 2 /t 1 , when the patchwork material is bent, a boundary between its steel sheets is located inner than (on a compression side of) the neutral axis, and thus the occurrence of LME between the steel sheets can be prevented. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , when the sheet thickness t=1.2 mm, and the bending radius R=8.0 mm (R/t=6.67), the neutral axis position t 2 /t 1  was a little less than 1.0. Therefore, it may be considered that, by making a sheet thickness ratio t out /t in  of a patchwork material more than 1.0, the occurrence of LME between its steel sheets can be prevented in forming a steel component from the patchwork material. 
     However, when the sheet thickness t=1.2 mm, and the bending radius R=4.0 mm (R/t=3.33), the neutral axis slightly moves to an inner side in the bend, and the neutral axis position t 2 /t 1  was 1.04. In this case, if the sheet thickness ratio t out /t in  of the patchwork material is close to 1.0, some tensile stress may be produced between a boundary between the steel sheets or at a portion in a vicinity of the boundary, causing LME. Consequently, to avoid the occurrence of LME easily, it is preferable to set the sheet thickness ratio t out /t in  to 1.1 or more. 
     In a case where the bending radius R is significantly small, it is considered that an amount of the movement of the neutral axis increases, and the neutral axis position t 2 /t 1  is further increased. In this case, it is preferable to further increase the sheet thickness ratio t out /t in  of the patchwork material. For example, in a case where the sheet thickness t=1.2 mm, the bending radius R=1.0 mm, and a magnitude of the bending radius R with respect to the sheet thickness t is minimized within a practically conceivable range (R/t=0.83), the neutral axis position t 2 /t 1  is 1.17. Consequently, to avoid the occurrence of LME more easily, it is preferable to set the sheet thickness ratio t out /t in  to 1.2 or more. Note that the sheet thickness ratio t out /t in  is preferably 4.0 or less from the viewpoint of ensuring an anti-crushing performance of a patchwork material and a formed component. 
     Third Example 
     An experiment in which patchwork materials made of various types of plated steel sheets were subjected to hot stamping to be formed into steel components was conducted, and occurrence of liquid metal embrittlement (LME) was visually checked. The patchwork materials were each heated for 4 minutes in a heating furnace at a preset temperature of 900° C. and then subjected to the hot stamping using press tooling. In the hot stamping, a temperature of the patchwork materials was about 760° C. The plated steel sheets used in the experiment are shown in Table 2. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Sheet thickness 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 t in   
                 t out   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Fusing 
                 [mm] 
                 [mm] 
               
               
                 Plated 
                   
                 point of 
                 on inner 
                 on outer 
               
               
                 steel 
                 Plating 
                 plating 
                 side in 
                 side in 
                 t out / 
                 Evalua- 
               
               
                 sheet 
                 type 
                 layer 
                 bend 
                 bend 
                 t in   
                 tion 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 A 
                 Zn-10% wt Fe 
                 670° C. 
                 1.0 
                 1.2 
                 1.2 
                 Excellent 
               
               
                 A 
                 Zn-10% wt Fe 
                 670° C. 
                 1.0 
                 1.1 
                 1.1 
                 Good 
               
               
                 A 
                 Zn-10% wt Fe 
                 670° C. 
                 1.0 
                 1.0 
                 1.0 
                 Bad 
               
               
                 B 
                 Zn-10% wt Al 
                 660° C. 
                 1.0 
                 1.2 
                 1.2 
                 Excellent 
               
               
                 B 
                 Zn-10% wt Al 
                 660° C. 
                 1.0 
                 1.1 
                 1.1 
                 Good 
               
               
                 B 
                 Zn-10% wt Al 
                 660° C. 
                 1.0 
                 1.0 
                 1.0 
                 Bad 
               
               
                 C 
                 Zn-10% wt Mg 
                 650° C. 
                 1.0 
                 1.2 
                 1.2 
                 Excellent 
               
               
                 C 
                 Zn-10% wt Mg 
                 650° C. 
                 1.0 
                 1.1 
                 1.1 
                 Good 
               
               
                 C 
                 Zn-10% wt Mg 
                 650° C. 
                 1.0 
                 1.0 
                 1.0 
                 Bad 
               
               
                 D 
                 Zn-10 wt % Ni 
                 808° C. 
                 1.0 
                 1.2 
                 1.2 
                 Excellent 
               
               
                 D 
                 Zn-10 wt % Ni 
                 808° C. 
                 1.0 
                 1.1 
                 1.1 
                 Excellent 
               
               
                 D 
                 Zn-10 wt % Ni 
                 808° C. 
                 1.0 
                 1.0 
                 1.0 
                 Good 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Referring to Table 2, in the experiment, a sheet thickness ratio t out /t in  of a patchwork material was changed to 1.2, 1.1, and 1.0 for each of the plated steel sheets (plating types), and an effect of preventing LME was evaluated for each of combinations of the plating types and the sheet thickness ratios. In the hot stamping, a bending radius R of each patchwork material was set to 8.0 mm. Thus, R/t in each patchwork material was about 3.6 to 4.0 (t=t in +t out ). In every patchwork material, a joint part between its steel sheets was formed in an area to be a bent area after the hot stamping. For all the patchwork materials, the position of the joint part between the steel sheets was the same. The other conditions (dimensions, material quality, etc.) were also common to all the patchwork materials. 
     Fusing point of plating layer shown in Table 2 indicates a fusing point of a zinc-based plating layer in a state before the heating (melting start temperature). In the column of Evaluation in Table 2, “Excellent” indicates that LME did not occur or that the number of occurrences of LME was significantly small. In the column of Evaluation, “Good” indicates that the number of occurrences of LME was small. In the column of Evaluation, “Bad” indicates that the number of occurrences of LME was large. 
     As shown in Table 2, when a patchwork material made of a steel sheet D, in which a fusing point of a plating layer was more than 700° C., was subjected to the hot stamping, the number of occurrences of LME between the steel sheets was small although a sheet thickness ratio t out /t in  of the patchwork material was 1.0. This resulted from a relatively small amount of liquid zinc present between two steel sheets D laid one on the other in the hot stamping because the fusing point of the plating layer of the steel sheets D was higher than a temperature of the patchwork material in the hot stamping. Note that the steel sheet D in which the fusing point of the plating layer was more than 700° C. still demonstrated a tendency of reducing the occurrences of LME between the steel sheets when the sheet thickness ratio t out /t in  was set to 1.1 or more. 
     In contrast, when a patchwork material made of any one of steel sheets A, B, and C, in which fusing points of a plating layer were 700° C. or less, was subjected to the hot stamping, the number of occurrences of LME between the steel sheets was large when a sheet thickness ratio t out /t in  of the patchwork material was 1.0. This is because, in a case of the steel sheets A, B, and C, in which the fusing points of a plating layer were lower than a temperature of the patchwork material in the hot stamping, a relatively large amount of liquid zinc was present between two steel sheets laid one on the other in the hot stamping. However, when a sheet thickness ratio t out /t in  of the patchwork material was set to 1.1, the occurrences of LME between the steel sheets were clearly reduced even when the hot stamping was performed on the patchwork material made of any one of the steel sheets A, B, and C. When the sheet thickness ratio t out /t in  of the patchwork material was set to 1.2, the occurrences of LME between the steel sheets were further reduced. 
     It is confirmed by the experiment that, in a case where a zinc-based plating layer between steel sheets has a fusing point of 700° C. or less in a state before heating (a starting material state), setting t out /t in ≥1.1 offered a particularly prominent effect of preventing the occurrence of LME. In other words, even when a fusing point of a zinc-based plating layer is 700° C. or less, and a relatively large amount of liquid zinc, which is one of causes of LME, is present between steel sheets, the occurrence of LME can be effectively prevented by satisfying t out /t in ≥1.1. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           100 ,  200 : steel component 
           31 ,  32 : ridge portion 
           50 : patchwork material 
           51 ,  52 : steel sheet 
           511 ,  521 : overlap surface 
           60 : joint part 
         A b1 , A b2 : bent area 
           71 ,  81 : press tooling