Surface microstructuring by Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted Deformational Machining (UVADM) – Simulation and experimental results

Abstract

Polymer-metal hybrids are a lightweight solution for many industrial applications, especially in the automotive or aircraft sector. However, due to their poor chemical bonding the manufacturing of such compounds requires the use of adhesive layers or the conditioning of the metallic surface to achieve form closure and high joint strength. Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted Deformational Machining (UVADM) is a novel process that generates functional microstructures with high production rates, aiming to form defined burr structures with undercuts, that have a significant impact on the interlaminar strength of polymer-metal hybrids (PMH). A 3D FEM simulation using Abaqus/Explicit software was applied to design and analyze process conditions including tool geometry. Material deformation was described by the Johnson-Cook model. Simulation results were validated experimentally using two different MCD tools. For the UVADM experiments, specimens of the aluminum alloy EN AW-6082 were used. In the tests, a constant ultrasonic frequency (20.42 kHz), machining speed (100 m/min and 200 m/min), and peak-to-peak amplitude (7 µm) were used. Geometrical surface properties were analyzed by optical methods and SEM. The study demonstrates a conformity between simulated and experimental results, highlighting the potential of UVADM for an increased productivity in the surface conditioning for polymer-metal hybrids.