A method for producing a formed member made of a steel sheet according to the present invention is characterized by preparing a steel sheet material having tensile strength of 500 MPa or less and containing a nitriding element; forming a formed member having a predetermined shape by performing a plastic forming on the steel sheet material; and performing a nitriding treatment on the formed member so that an average hardness in the sheet thickness direction of the resultant steel sheet member is ...

Material characteristics that a foamed filler material (s) to be filled in a frame cross section (fr) should have are discussed. By using a material complying with the characteristics, the energy absorbability of the frame (fr) is effectively enhanced. In a frame structure (fr) for vehicle bodies in which a filler material is filled in at least part of the cross section of a frame, the filler material is set to a mean compressive strength of not less than 4 MPa and/or a maximum bending strength ...

An automobile bodyshell frame structure includes a generally elongated first panel member, and a generally elongated second panel member having opposite side edge portions connected to the first panel member to define a hollow between the first and second panel members. A filler is disposed within a portion of a cross-section of the hollow between the first and second panel members. This filler is provided on an inner surface of one of the first and second panel members and has an average compre...