Influence of the Sheet Manufacturing Process on the Forming Limit Behaviour of Twin-Roll Cast, Rolled and Heat-Treated AZ31

Abstract

In the age of lightweight design, magnesium alloys play an increasing role in weight reduction of transport vehicles. The specific strength compared to aluminium alloys and steel grades is superior, giving the material great potential in lightweight application. The automobile and aeronautic industry use sheet metals with minimum thicknesses, making research in this field very important. Successful sheet metal forming depends on various process parameters and material characteristics. Thus, the influence of sheet thickness on the forming limit behaviour of twin-roll cast, rolled and heat-treated AZ31 was investigated. Nakajima tests were performed on a hydraulic sheet metal testing device at elevated temperatures with various sheet thicknesses from 0.6 mm to 2.0 mm. The results show an increase in formability with rising temperatures for all sheets. Furthermore, changes in formability among the sheet thicknesses were linked to their divergent microstructures, which result from the different sheet manufacturing parameters.