Formability of aluminum alloy thin-walled cylinder parts by servo hot stamping

Abstract

Abstract In order to meet the huge demands of automotive lightweight, the application of aluminum alloy sheets in the automotive parts has gradually increased in recent years. Aluminum alloy sheets, however, usually have low ductility at room temperature, which results in the poor formability of automotive parts by using traditional forming processes, especially for those with large size, thin wall and complex shapes. In this paper, the formability of aluminum alloy thin-walled cylinder parts by a novel process, i.e., servo hot stamping was discussed. First, a robust finite element model of thin-walled cylinder part made in aluminum alloy 7075 sheet hot stamping was established based on finite element simulation software ABAQUS. The servo motion mode was then put forward and a suitable forming speed area ranging from the motion curve 2 to the motion curve 4 were demined. Finally, the effect law and mechanism of servo motion on the formability of such thin-walled cylinder parts were revealed by analyzing plastic strain, thickness and temperature distributions. The results have academic value and practical significance for the forming of aluminum alloy parts.