Forming Al and Mg Alloy Sheet and Tube at Elevated Temperatures

Abstract

Experimental investigation on the formability limits of aluminum and magnesium alloys are conducted through hydraulic bulging and deep drawing. New tube hydroforming tooling was designed and the submerged tool concept is introduced. Tube hydroforming experiments were conducted with and without axial feed by using AA6061 tubes. The formability of Mg AZ31-O sheets are determined by hydraulic bulging using similar submerged tool. Finally the effect of temperature and initial blank size on the attainable highest punch velocity is investigated and round cups from Mg AZ31-O were successfully formed in a heated tool with punch speeds up to 300 mm/s.