Investigating the behavior of aluminum alloys under hole expansion; experimentally and numerically

Sheet metals are frequently used especially in automotive industry due to its strength/weight ratio. Sheet metal products are generally have complex forms. Therefore, simulative tests have been developed that converts complex forming processes to simple forming operations. By using simulative tests, it is a great advantage in terms of time and cost to predict and compensate the forming defects that will occur during forming process. For this purpose, finite element analysis is frequently used. Sheet blanks may have hole forms in automotive industry especially in structural parts. Hole expansion simulative tests are preferred for these operations. In this study, experimental and numerical investigations are performed for hole expansion behavior of 5XXX aluminum alloy by using different plasticity models. Hole expansion ratio is used fort he comparison parameter in addition equivalent stress and thinning distributions are evaluated.