Behavior analysis of the aluminum 2017A sheet using vapor bulge test

Abstract

The hot forming of thin structures (plates) uses the temperature as a factor that could increase the forming limits of the sheet metal. On top of the improving of forming limits, increasing temperature induces a decrease of spring-back and a clear reduction of limits loads necessary for the forming operation. The hot forming process is usually done in two independent phases: the first step is the blank heating and the second one is the load application. The present work shows a forming technique based on both temperature and pressure to make a sheet form. These parameters are linked to the water vaporization process into a cavity covered by the blank. This study will try to show: (i) Experimental aspects of sheets forming under the action of water vapor pressure. (ii) Correlation between the blank geometry, level pressure and the forming temperatures. (iii) Performances of the process expressed in terms of:-Surface creation-Decrease of the loads of making form-Increase of the forming limits