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This work studies the springback effect on four kinds of steels, namely, the dual-phase, low carbon, bake hardening, and interstitial-free steels, currently used as feedstock in vehicle production. In this context, it is inserted the development of a new cutting edge high strength steel in accordance with the ULSAB-AVC project which aims to produce safer and more economical vehicles for the 21st century. The springback effect mechanical characterization was performed by means of sheet metal forming, called as three-point air bending, in which samples were subjected to following internal bending angles: 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° and then the value of the new internal bending angle was measured, after sheet metal forming. It was also evaluated the mechanical properties of the material defined by the tensile test in order to determine its tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation. Furthermore, the cutting edge steel’s microstructural characterization was performed by identifying and quantifying the present phases in coexistence by means of digital image processing. The results indicate that the springback effect in the dual-phase steel has the highest springback rate due to its high mechanical strength, and it causes a decrease in the aspect ratio of the grains that suffered mechanical bending with the attempt of returning them to their original form. Low carbon and bake hardening steels have not enough springback effect to cause a change in the grains shape, and the change of the aspect ratio depends on the combination of both elongation and mechanical strength of these steels. In the case of interstitial-free steel, due to its lower mechanical strength, the springback effect has the lowest rate, and the change in aspect ratio depends only on the elongation capacity of the steel. Therefore, it is concluded that the most resistant steel and structural use in automobiles, are the ones who suffer the most springback effect, so it is necessary to find methods for reducing this effect. 

springback effect, AHSS, mechanical characterization, aspect ratio, elongation, high strength.