Prediction of formability and effects of process parameters on the adhesively bonded composite metallic sheets

Abstract

The study investigates the deep drawing process for bimetallic sheets formed by bonding dissimilar metals (AA1100 aluminium alloy and C36000 brass) with epoxy-based adhesive. Experimental exploration of process parameters, including blank diameter, stacking sequence, lubrication, and strain rate, was conducted to analyse their impact on load–displacement behaviour and thickness strain distribution. Additionally, the study assessed fracture susceptibility, material flow characteristics (tearing and wrinkling), and the requisite drawing force for the bonded specimens. Results indicate enhanced formability and mechanical properties in bonded sheets compared to individual metal sheets, demonstrating the potential advantages of this approach. The bonded sheets demonstrated improved formability and mechanical properties compared to individual metals. Notably, the maximum drawing force for the bonded sheet (170 mm diameter) significantly increased to 24.2 kN, surpassing individual sheets by 69.85% for AA1100 and 40.54% for C36000. The analysis identified a vulnerable region (12–15 mm from the centre) under maximum risk of failure and consistent deformation patterns in samples with varying diameters and lubrication, providing valuable insights into the behaviour of bonded bimetallic sheets in deep drawing.