Numerical and Experimental Studies on Hydro-Forming of a Thin Metallic Disc

Abstract

This paper deals with the hydro-forming of a flat thin metallic disc to achieve a forward domed disc which will be subsequently adopted to manufacture a rupture disc. The plastic deformation induced by the hydraulic energy is numerically simulated through an isotropic hardening plasticity model using a non-linear explicit finite element analysis (FEA). The variation in disc’s central deformation, thickness, equivalent plastic stress and equivalent plastic strain with respect to the applied hydraulic pressure are determined from FEA simulations. The hydro-forming setup is then designed and manufactured, and the metallic disc is experimented under hydro-forming process. The reduction in thickness due to stretching of the thin disc is evaluated from experiment and simulation and a close agreement is found. This research attempt helped in finalizing the hydro-forming fluid pressure, the feasibility and the accuracy of practically achieving the desired geometry of the metallic disc. The near-fixidity effects on abrupt variation in sheet thickness and plastic strain are well captured through simulations which are very difficult to be studied through hydro-forming experiments.