In this study, a novel punch toolset was developed to investigate the hot stamping of AA6082-T4 sheet. The effect of the process parameters, including forming temperature, punching velocity, friction coefficient, and blank holder force (BHF) on formability was quantified using Taguchi design, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and mathematical statistics. The finite element (FE) model has been established in software Pamstamp for simulation and analysis of their effects on the minimum thickness and thickness variation of the hot-stamped component. The major factors influencing the minimum thickness of the hot-stamped part has been found to be BHF and friction coefficient with influence significance of 35.3% and 34.88%, respectively. Additionally, punch velocity and BHF affect the thickness deviation significantly with influence significance of 40.43% and 35.42%, respectively. Furthermore, a serious thinning occurs on the punch corner region of the hot-stamped cup when the BHF is larger than 2.4 kN. The thickness deviation of the hot-formed cup has been found to be firstly decreased and then increased with the increase of punch velocity. Low friction coefficient between punch and blank led to crack at bottom centre of the cup. Moreover, different type, phenomenon and mechanism of defects occurring during hot stamping process, such as crack and wrinkling, were discussed. The crack mode was dimple-dominated ductile fracture, which was induced by micro-void nucleation, growth and coalescence.
