Title: Experimental and numerical study of hydroforming aptitudes of Welded Tubes

Authors: M. Ayadi, M.A. Rezgui, A. Cherouat, N. Mezghani

Addresses: LMSSDT-ESSTT, 5 Av Taha Hussein, Montfleury 1008 Tunis, Tunisia. ' LMSSDT-ESSTT, 5 Av Taha Hussein, Montfleury 1008 Tunis, Tunisia. ' UTT-Projet GAMMA INRIA, Domaine de Voluceau-Rocquencourt, B.P. 105, 78153 Le Chesnay, France. ' LMSSDT-ESSTT, 5 Av Taha Hussein, Montfleury 1008 Tunis, Tunisia

Abstract: This paper presents an experimental/numerical methodology, to improve 3D Welded Tube (WT) behaviour by hydroforming process. This process, used for manufacturing complex structures, allows improving the weight saving and quality of finished parts. The experimental study is dedicated to the identification of stress–strain flow of the Base Metal (BM) and the Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ) from the global measure and nanoindentation test of hydroformed tube state. Workpiece behaviour|s models show the combined effects of the inhomogeneous behaviour of BM and HAZ, and the geometrical singularities found in the WT. From the simulations carried out, it is clear the influence of the plastic flow behaviour of the WT final state.

Keywords: hydroforming; welded tubes; anisotropic plastic flow; nanoindentation; numerical simulation; experimental study; mechanical behaviour; ductile damage; HAZ; heat-affected zone.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMS.2011.038001

International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, 2011 Vol.4 No.1, pp.74 - 94

Published online: 07 Mar 2015 *

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