Investigation on the Hydroforming Characteristics of Double‐layered Tubes

Double‐layered tubes consist of an inner tube and an outer tube. Both are similar in material, contact closely and deform simultaneously when subjected to external force. Hydroforming assembly technology has several advantages in the manufacturing of double‐layered tubes. In this study, the hydroforming characteristics of double‐layered tube are investigated. Free bulging tests are performed to produce formability diagrams of double‐layered tubes at various forming pressures and feeding amounts. In addition, the hexagonal‐shape hydroforming test is performed to estimate the dimensional accuracy of double‐layered tubes through the corner filling ratio and the gap between the inner and outer tubes. Besides experimental analyses, an analytical model that can predict internal pressure for the hydroforming of double‐layered tubes is proposed and experimentally validated in this study.     

Tailored Profiles Made of Tailor Rolled Strips by Roll Forming – Part 2 of 2

The main scope of the presented work is to demonstrate the potential of load optimized tubes with a varying thickness distribution in circumferential direction produced by roll forming. As initial material a so called Tailor Rolled Strip (TRS) sheet metal coil produced by Strip Profile Rolling (SPR) method was used instead of plain sheet. The TRS sheet metal is manufactured in a continuously working process by rolling one or more groves in transverse direction into the sheet metal coil. In this paper, the secondary forming of the TRS sheet metal to TRS tubes is investigated by means of FE‐simulations and roll forming experiments. To simulate the manufacturing process of the TRS tube by FEM, an integrated consideration of the process is necessary because of the large local strain hardening in the groves of the initial SPR sheet metal. In experimental roll forming operations welded tubes could be manufactured successfully. The geometrical and material properties of these tubes are analyzed. The reprocessing of TRS tubes by hydroforming is investigated by means of tube bursting tests. It has been found that an additional annealing process is necessary to achieve deformations in the grooved area during the hydroforming process.     

Effects of Hydro‐Impulse Forming of Blanks

This work presents the outcomes of investigations on dynamic effects and parameters of Hydro‐Impulse Forming (HIF) and their influence on the shaping process. Parameters for the blanks exposed to hydro‐impulse forming are defined by FE‐simulations, which use AUTODYN 2D‐3D software. These simulations enable a clear visualization of the processes that occur in the material and the working media. Results are presented for the simulated deep drawing of a semi‐sphere for the aluminium alloy A2024 and the steel QStE340. A larger influence of dynamic forces on the forming process was detected by numerical simulations on the “transmission medium ‐ die ‐ blank” scheme. These outcomes were confirmed by experimental investigations and a classification of the typical malformations during HIF (unusual in conventional forming processes). As shown by the performed experiments and numerical simulations, HIF offers great advantages in comparison with common forming processes, e.g. with regard to the creation of deeper reliefs and low residual springing.     

Multistage High‐speed Compression Test to obtain Material Data for the Kinetics of Microstructure Change in Microscale analysis of Large‐strain Working Technologies

A new analytical model for predicting microstructure change is proposed, and the actual steel microstructure changes that evolve during multistage and single‐stage high‐speed compression are analysed by EBSP (Electron Back Scattering Pattern). Severe plastic deformation induces evolution of various microstructure changes. Prediction of the changes requires the micro‐scale analysis of large‐strain working technologies and accurate material data, which are usually collected by conducting experiments such as compression tests. The analytical model uses the residual dislocation density and austenite grain size as parameters, and can be used to analyse the ferrite nucleation and transformation inside the grains. The compression tests were performed using a newly developed machine that can realize multistage forming at high strain rates. The precision of the data from the tests can be expected to be higher than that from conventional tests. Through the investigation, it becomes clear that multistage high‐speed forming can produce ultrafine‐grain steel whose chemical composition is the same as plain carbon steel, when applying the kinetics of microstructure change shown in the analytical model.     

Effects of Anisotropy in Drawing and Extrusion Processes of Bulk Metal Forming

The effects of anisotropy of axisymmetric materials (round bars, tubes) on metal forming processes are discussed. These effects are strongest for thin‐walled hollow materials in metal forming processes when the wall thickness is not predetermined by the die (tube drawing without mandrel, free extrusion of hollow components). Similarly to the normal anisotropy of sheet metal, a high radial anisotropy increases the resistance against a variation of wall thickness in tube drawing. There are also effects in forming solid materials such as forward extrusion of bars whereby the buckling of cross sections is influenced through the variation of radial anisotropy with the distance from the axis. The favourable anisotropy properties depend on the actual priorities. If, for example, for a metal forming process the material anisotropy results in high compressive stresses this may be favourable for increasing the ductility of the material whereas the increase of the load acting on the tool reduces tool life.     

Modelling and Closed‐loop Control of Complex Tube Forming Based on an Optimized Application of Martensite Formation in Austenitic Stainless Steels

Metastable austenitic steels undergo deformation‐induced martensitic transformation which can lead to a distinct increase of fatigue strength at an optimal volume fraction of martensite. This effect was used in the present study to define the local strength behaviour of a structural component part for the very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) regime. The investigation was on a discontinuous two‐stage forming process that consists of U‐O‐forming and rotary draw bending and results in a cross tube of a trailer coupling as exemplary dynamically loaded component. The volume fraction of martensite can be adjusted by means of plastomechanical simulation of the forming process and its parameters as part of the online process control. The formation of martensite shows a strong dependence on forming parameters (e.g. temperature and strain‐rate) and batch variations. These disturbance variables can only be taken into account by a closed‐loop control. Non‐isothermal material models were analysed according to their simulation accuracy of the martensite evolution. For the online control various hierarchical mathematical models were studied with regard to time effort and model error.     

Material Characterisation for Reliable and Efficient Springback Prediction in Sheet Metal Forming

In this paper, a novel experimental‐numerical methodology for an accurate prediction of springback after sheet forming is presented. An advanced phenomenological material model is implemented in the FE‐code ABAQUS. It includes the Bauschinger effect, the apparent reduction of the elasticity modulus at load reversal after plastic deformation, the strain rate dependence and the elastic‐plastic anisotropy and its evolution during the forming process. The required material parameters are determined from stress‐strain curves measured in tension‐compression tests. These tests are carried out with a special test rig designed to avoid buckling of the specimens during compression. The benefits of this procedure for springback prediction are demonstrated. Additionally, parameters for the phenomenological models are determined from texture simulations.     

Theoretical and Experimental Damage Prediction in Cold and Semi‐Hot Bulk Forming of Ductile Steels

Bulk forging is among the most important manufacturing methods in metal forming, due to its wide applicability from some ounces to several tons of steel in a high diversity of shapes and forming conditions. Economical constraints demand for further optimisation and cost‐effective production. This requires the application of suitable finite elements simulation software, in order to support the already digitalised construction processes. Ductile damage is one of the most severe problems to arise during the production sequences, not only in cold but also in semi‐hot forging operations. Mathematical approaches exist for the modelling and simulation of ductile fracture in steel. In this paper some widespread used damage models are introduced and discussed. Their damage prediction quality has been verified by experiments, the tensile test and the collar specimen upsetting with several different steels under cold and semi‐hot forging conditions. The methods for the experimental fracture detection are introduced as well. In cold forging the passive ultrasonic testing with integrated statistical filtering algorithms is used. As this method is not applicable to semi‐hot forging experiments, optical fracture detection by means of a high‐speed camera is used instead. A very interesting material behaviour of the steels tested has been identified in the semi‐hot upsetting of collar specimen. For every steel a distinct temperature crossover interval exists, in which the forging process abruptly changes from damaged to undamaged state. This interval amounts to some degrees Celsius only for each of the seven materials investigated. Among the damage models proposed, the Model of Effective Stresses by Lemaitre is chosen for the application to a cold and a semi‐hot forging operation. These industrial processes of an axle end (cold) and a journal bearing (semi‐hot) are susceptible to damage for reasons to be discussed in this paper. It will be shown that the internal fracture of the axle end (chevrons) and the surface fissures of the journal bearing can be predicted with high accuracy. Moreover, the application of the damage model in the finite element software MSC.SuperForm 2004 offers a promising approach for process optimisation. Several possibilities could be tested for their suitability of reducing the calculated damage: geometry variation of the forming tools, process annealing, different materials. The use of damage models in finite element simulation can be regarded as a further step towards an optimal process design.     

Mechanical Joining of Tubes to Sheets Along Inclined Planes

This paper presents a new mechanical joining process for fixing tubes to sheets along planes inclined with respect to the tube axis. The process is based on the capacity of producing and controlling inclined instability waves in thin‐walled tubes subjected to axial compressive load and is capable of ensuring significant economic and time savings when compared to currently available joining technologies. The presentation includes details on tool design, independent determination of the mechanical properties of the materials, numerical modeling, and experimentation under laboratory conditions with the aim of determining the process window as a function of the major operative parameters. The feasibility of joining tubes to sheets along inclined planes is demonstrated by presenting one connection performed at the tube end and another connection performed away from the tube end.     

Peter Groche

Tube hydroforming (THF) is a relatively new but established technology among metal tube forming processes. It is the technology of forming closed sections, hollow parts with different cross‐sections by applying an internal hydraulic pressure and sometimes additional axial compressive loads to force a tubular blank to conform to the shape of a given die cavity. Material properties have a significant influence on the process stability. Often roll‐formed, non‐heat treated tubular materials made of steel with longitudinally oriented welding lines are used in tube hydroforming. Different production processes involve a change of the material properties from the initial flat sheet to the hydroformable tube. Testing methods such as tensile tests and conventional forming limit diagrams do not accurately reflect the state of stress and strain conditions seen in the tubular blank during the hydroforming process. Thus, inaccuracies in FEA predictions and design failures occur. Test methods were developed to characterize the relevant geometrical and mechanical properties of tubular semi‐finished products.     

Multi‐Layer Compression Tests under Hot Forming Conditions

Exact simulation of forming processes using the finite element method requires as precise specification as possible of the prevailing material data and physical boundary conditions. The article presents a method of determining the flow‐stress for sheet metals under hot‐forming conditions. The value is determined in a cylindrical multi‐layer compression test which up to now has been underestimated even for cold testing conditions. This article presents some special adaptations which are necessary for testing under high temperature conditions. The method is able to supply reliable data for FEM simulation, as is demonstrated in some examples.     

Spline‐Interpolation and Calculation of Machine Parameters for the Three‐Roll‐Pushbending of Spline‐Contours

Today, bending tasks become more and more complex. Not even constant bending radii are required in the industrial practice. There is a growing demand for bending spline‐contours, too. Such geometries are often produced with Freeform‐Bending procedures like Three‐Roll‐Pushbending. This paper presents a method to interpolate a given spline bending‐contour (by CAD data), in order to calculate its radii distribution, which is needed to determine the machine parameters in certain points for the Three‐Roll‐Pushbending. For the determination of the machine parameters one has to consider the different influences on the bending process. The material springback and the deflection of the bending machine per radius need to be compensated to reach a near net shape bending result. Nevertheless deviations cannot be avoided. To improve the results, a possibility to adjust the pre‐calculated machine parameters is shown. For the investigations tube profiles with constant wall thicknesses were considered. The corresponding plasticity calculations refer to tube cross‐sections. The results were validated by bending a representative spline contour on the bending machine of the Chair of Forming Technology at the University of Siegen.     

Gas‐pressure Forming of an AlMg‐Alloy Sheet at Elevated Temperatures

Forming of automotive leightweight parts using aluminium offers numerous advantages. Compared to other wrought aluminium alloys, in particular AlMg‐alloys generally show a good formability which is favourable for the production of complex parts. However, forming of Mg‐containing alloys at room temperature leads to yielding patterns preventing their implementation for class‐A‐surface applications. Furthermore, the formability of steel still exceeds that of AlMg‐alloys at room temperature. Thus, in the present study, sheet metal forming is applied at a temperature range that is typical for warm forming. It is supposed to profit from the advantages of warm forming like high achievable strains and improved surface quality of the formed part, while not having the disadvantages of long production times and high energy consumption, which is correlated with superplastic forming. Applying fluid‐based sheet metal forming in this paper, nitrogen is used as fluid working medium to satisfy the demand on high temperature resistance. Concerning the blank material used, formability of Mg‐containing aluminium alloys shows strong strain rate sensitivity at elevated temperatures. To figure out the optimal strain rates for this particular process, a control system for forming processes is developed within the scope of this paper. Additionally, FE‐simulations are carried out and adapted to the experiment, based on the generated process data. FE‐investigations include forming of domes (bulging) as well as shape‐defined forming, having the objective to increase formability in critical form elements by applying optimal strain rates. Here, a closed‐loop process control for gas‐pressure forming at elevated temperatures is to be developed in the next stages of the project.     

3D‐FE Modelling and Simulation of Multi‐way Loading Process for Multi‐ported Valves

Multi‐ported valves are widely used in the marine, sanitary, petrochemical and power industry. Multi‐way loading forming technology provides an efficient approach for integral forming of high strength multi‐ported valves, such as tee pipe coupling, high‐pressure cross valves, large‐scale complex valves, and so on. Since the multi‐way loading process is a very complicated plastic forming process due to the complexity of loading path, finite element numerical simulation is adopted to investigate the multi‐way loading process in order to predict and control the multi‐ported valve forming process. A reasonable model of the process is developed under DFEORM‐3D environment based on the coupled thermo‐mechanical finite element method. Then the reliability of the model is validated with respect to geometry development and forming defects. Numerical simulations of multi‐way loading forming for a tee valve and a cross valve have been carried out via using the developed model. Further, the forming processes of tee valve and cross valve have been compared. Moreover, the modelling method is also suitable for multi‐way loading processes of other complex components.     

Roll Forming Strategies for Welded Tubes

Tubes are used as semi‐finished products as well as final components in almost all areas of the engineering industry. Roll forming of tubes with longitudinally oriented welding lines is one of the most efficient and economic tube production processes. However, numerous roll forming strategies already exist. Each strategy involves a characteristic change of the material properties from the initial slit strip to the final tube. A classification of the different roll forming strategies, which is given in this paper, aims to provide a systematic overview. A finite element analysis of the roll forming process is presented to identify specific forming loads and property changes.     

Numerical Solution of Thin‐walled Tube Bending Springback with Exponential Hardening Law

The process of manufacturing thin‐walled tubes which show exponential hardening is investigated. The analysis is based on the feedback analysis of bending springback tests. The springback angle is calculated using a formula which is derived from numerical methods. The experiments and finite element calculations prove that the formula agrees well with the test results. However, for tubes with strong hardening characteristics, certain discrepancies exist. The springback angle increases linearly with the ratio of plastic and elastic modulus, and decreases nonlinearly with increasing hardening index. The larger the ratio of plastic and elastic modulus, the greater the amount of reduction as the hardening index increases. The amount of increment in the springback angle incurred by the increase of the normalized bending radius is greater for smaller hardening index values. For thin‐walled tubes, after unloading, the elastic component takes a higher percentage in the total deformation as the relative wall thickness increases, causing the springback angle to increase slightly. However, when the growth rate of the cross section inertia moment is greater than that of the proportion of elastic deformation, the springback angle tends to decrease slightly as the normalized wall thickness increases. The formula will be applied to promote the technical development in springback prediction, control and compensation.     

Hot Workability of as‐Cast High Manganese‐High Carbon Steels

In order to produce new high Mn‐high C austenitic steels (R_m>700 MPa), different tests and methods were used to determine a suitable window of process parameters. In‐situ melting hot tensile tests and hot compression tests were carried out to investigate the hot ductility, fracture characteristics and flow behaviour during continuous casting and hot deformation of 3 steels with Mn and C contents between 9‐23% and 0.6‐0.9%, respectively. The results show that these steels are susceptible to interdendritic fracture at high temperatures. Decreasing Mn content improves the reduction of area at high temperatures to 60% or more. Hot deformation loads for processing the investigated steels are not higher in comparison to the stainless steel 1.4301.