Analysis of warm forming of locally heated sheet metals by using finite element analysis

Automotive industry uses stainless steels for place where needed corrosion resistance and aluminum or magnesium alloys to reduce weight of chassis. High mechanical properties of these materials are reasons for preference however low formability of these materials in the ambient temperature creates manufacturing problems. In this study, enhancement of bending ability of a stainless steel and a magnesium alloy by local heating was investigated. The specimens were bent in V-bending die by using a servo-press at room temperature. Load and deformation rate were determined during forming process. Final shapes were measured by Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) and springback ratios were determined. Same procedures were conducted with locally heating (heating the region of deformation) and the results were compared with cold forming. It was observed that locally heating the bending area was adequate to give form the workpiece and this result was verified with FEM. The changing of the thickness on the bending area was also determined for cold and locally heated specimens. Keywords: Locally Heating, Formability, Stainless Steel, Magnesium Alloy, FEM.