Predicting the Peen Forming Effectiveness of Ti-6Al-4V Strips With Different Thicknesses Using Realistic Finite Element Simulations

Abstract

This paper is intended to quantify the relationship between the peen forming effectiveness and various involved parameters through a realistic numerical study. For this purpose, a new finite element (FE) model is proposed with full geometry representation, random shots generation, and rate-dependent material law of kinematic strain-hardening. The mesh sensitivity and effects of boundary conditions are carefully examined. The FE model is validated by comparing the results with the experimental measurements. The proposed model is then used to investigate the effects of the peening intensity (represented as the shot velocity) and the strip thickness on the peen-formed deflection and the residual stress distribution for strips made of Ti-6Al-4V. Our results indicate the existence of a maximum convex deflection for different strip thicknesses. In addition, a reversed deflection (i.e., concaved curvature) is observed for severe peening conditions (i.e., thin strip under high peening intensity). Our simulations verify the previous proposition that a concaved curvature can be generated only when the whole cross section is plastically deformed.