Study on the improving effect of Nb-V microalloying on the hydrogen induced delayed fracture property of 22MnB5 press hardened steel

•A novel Nb-V microalloyed press-hardened steel (22MnB5NbV) was developed to improve the hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of traditional 22MnB5.•The duration of no cracking for 22MnB5NbV in acidic solution is > 300 h even though the pre-bending stress is 1500–1600 MPa.•The complex carbides (Nb,Ti,V)C with core–shell structure were identified by APT, and VC is located at the outer layer.•The finer microstructure and abundant nano-carbides, which are attributed to Nb-V microalloying, are effective hydrogen traps and helpful to anti-HE.