2023 journal article
Improving Material Formability and Tribological Conditions through Dual-Pressure Tube Hydroforming
JOURNAL OF MANUFACTURING AND MATERIALS PROCESSING, 7(4).
author keywords: dual-pressure tube hydroforming; loading path; lubrication; formability
open access via www.mdpi.com (publisher PDF)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: September 11, 2023
Dual-pressure tube hydroforming (THF) is a tube-forming process that involves applying fluid pressure to a tube’s inner and outer surfaces to achieve deformation. This study investigates the effect of dual-pressure loading paths on material formability and tribological conditions. Specifically, pear-shaped and triangular cross-sectional parts were formed using dual-pressure modes where fluid pressure on the inside of the tubular blank was alternated with pressure on the outside surface of the tubular blank, causing the tube to expand/stretch and contract. During expansion, the tube conformed to the die’s cavity, while during contraction, the contact area between the die and the workpiece reduced, leading to decreased friction stress at the tube–die interface. Additionally, the reversal of pressure loadings caused the tubular blank to buckle, altering the stress state and potentially increasing local shear stress, improving material formability. Dual-pressure THF has demonstrated that the pressure loading paths chosen can substantially influence material formability. Comparing the geometries of parts formed by dual-pressure THF and conventional THF shows a significant increase in the protrusion height of both the pear-shaped and triangular specimens using dual-pressure THF.