Anisotropy of bulk forming limits in hot-rolled steel bars

Abstract

The anisotropy of bulk formability in hot-rolled AISI 1040 steel bars has been evaluated using upset and bend tests in longitudinal, circumferential, and radial directions. The index of workability is improved approximately 65 pct by aligning the critical tensile stresses parallel to inclusion plane and elongation (longitudinal direction). The lowest workability is attained in the radial direction where tensile stresses are perpendicular to the plane of inclusions. In the circumferential direction, tensile stresses are parallel to the plane of inclusions, though perpendicular to inclusion elongation, leading to intermediate workability. Tensile ductilities in the principal directions are compared with the three workability levels. Tension fracture data agree with the forming limit line in the radial direction. In the other directions, however, the tension test progressively overestimates workability as the workability level increases.