Title: Finite element simulation of forming limit diagram for AISI 316LN-Austenitic stainless steel

Authors: R. Ramadoss; A. Rajadurai

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of Engineering, Chennai-600 119, India. ' Department of Production Technology, Madras Institute of Technology, Chrompet, Anna University, Chennai-600 044, India

Abstract: An experimental investigation and a finite element simulation on forming limit of AISI 316LN stainless steel of thickness 1.25 mm were performed using hemispherical punch stretching test. The experimental forming limit diagram was determined by a hemispherical punch stretching test using suitably designed and fabricated tools. Sheet metal forming simulation was performed using the finite element software. The solution methodology was based on explicit time integration. A new failure criterion has been introduced based on localised necking for the prediction of forming limit. The transition in the state of strain could be considered as the onset of localised necking instant of failure. Energy study was performed for varying blank widths AISI 316LN stainless steel. Forming limit diagram constructed with finite element procedure was validated with experimental forming limit diagram. An error analysis on the FE-predictions was performed and the percentage deviation was found to vary between 0.28 and 12.24%.

Keywords: finite element method; FEM; simulation; stainless steel; punch forming; forming limit diagrams; quasi-static; localised necking; punch stretching; sheet metal forming.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2011.044368

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2011 Vol.6 No.6, pp.507 - 525

Published online: 19 Dec 2011 *

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