Elastomer-assisted compression beading of tubes

Abstract

This article proposes a new tube forming process designated as ‘elastomer-assisted compression beading’ that is made from a combination of tube bulging produced by elastomer forming and conventional pressworking compression beading. The presentation includes independent determination of the mechanical properties of the tubes, analytical modelling, finite element simulation and experimentation under laboratory conditions with the aims and objectives of identifying the key operating parameters, understanding plastic flow and failure and establishing the formability limits of the elastomer-assisted compression beading process. Results and observations show that the elastomer-assisted compression beading process is capable of producing sound, large-width, compression beads in a broader range of operating parameters than those currently being achieved by means of conventional compression beading. Applications of the proposed elastomer-assisted compression beading process span a wide range of industrial uses involving attachment of tubes to sheets and damping vibrations in air-pressure lines, liquid systems or exhaust tubes.