Hydroforming

About: Hydroforming is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2796 publications have been published within this topic receiving 26293 citations. The topic is also known as: Bulge forming.

Evaluating the flow stress of aerospace alloys for tube hydroforming process by free expansion testing

Abstract: In order to obtain accurate tube hydroforming (THF) simulation results, one of the important inputs in the finite element model (FEM) of the process is the mechanical response of the material during THF. Generally, the mechanical response is defined by the stress–strain behavior that can be determined from tensile testing of the specimens extracted either from the sheet used for roll forming of the tubes or directly from the tubes. More recently, free expansion testing has been used to characterize the mechanical response of the material for hydroforming applications. The free expansion test can emulate process conditions similar to those found during THF, and as such, can be used to obtain reliable and accurate information on the mechanical response/properties of the tubular material. The aim of this research is to present an approach for evaluating the stress–strain behavior of different materials using a 3D deformation measurement system in conjunction with an analytical model. Here, to characterize the mechanical response of the materials, free expansion and tensile testing were used for austenitic stainless steel types 321 (SS 321) and 304L (SS 304L), INCONEL® alloy 718 (IN 718), and aluminum alloy 6061 in the annealed “0” temper condition (AA 6061-0). The mechanical response of each material, measured through free expansion testing of tubular forms, was compared to the respective stress–strain behavior determined from the uniaxial tensile test using ASTM E8 geometry specimens extracted from the tubes. For each material studied in this work, the two flow stress behaviors were distinct, indicating that the test method can have a noticeable effect on the mechanical response. Finite element analysis (FEA) of the free expansion of each material was also utilized to simulate the THF process with the flow stress curves obtained experimentally; the predicted expansion and burst pressure results were close to the experimental data indicating that the approach developed and described in this work has merit for characterizing the mechanical response of aerospace alloys for hydroforming applications.

Improving formability due to an enhancement of sealing limits caused by using a smart fluid as active fluid medium for hydroforming

Abstract: Within this paper a new approach to enhance the process window in sheet metal hydroforming processes will be presented. The key idea of the technology is the local adaption of the properties of the active fluid medium. In this case the magnetorheological fluid (MRF) Basonetic® 5030 is used and the fluid behavior is changed due to a partially applied external magnetic field. Based on the new property distribution the medium can be used as forming and sealing medium at the same time. The results are compared to the values reached with mineral oil. The presented work covers all necessary steps for a successful application of the technology. After the presentation of the used fluids, a material characterization and the tools, which are developed for this reason, as the sealing limits for two different configurations are determined. Based on these investigations forming operations are carried out at the related process parameters to show up the potential of the MRF. At the end a numerical model is built up and validated for both fluids used to offer a qualified tool for process design.

Parametric Study of Hydroforming of Paper Materials Using the Explicit Finite Element Method with a Moisture‐dependent and Temperature‐dependent Constitutive Model

Abstract: Parametric Study of Hydroforming of Paper Materials using the Explicit Finite Element Method with a Moisture-and Temperature-Dependent Constitutive Model

A study of techniques in the evaluation of springback and residual stress in hydroforming

Abstract: The increasing need for high strength complex hollow bodies for automotive application is pushing towards the use of sheet hydroforming techniques in conjunction with high strength steels. Unfortunately high strength steels are characterised by high springback levels. In this paper the springback and residual stresses have been analysed by means of laboratory trials carried out using the double sheet hydroforming technique. The attention has been focused on the upper blank of TRIP800 steel. The analysis has been performed using different approaches: i) characterisation of sample accuracy by means of a 3D coordinate measuring machine using a new proposed method based on the standard deviation calculation; ii) FE-analysis of both hydroforming and springback stages using an implicit FEM code; iii) residual stress evaluation by means of X-ray diffraction and laser cutting techniques. The effect of pressure, die insert geometry and friction at the blank holder on springback and residual stresses have been analysed and discussed in detail.