Forming Analysis and Formability Evaluation for Aluminum Tube Hydroforming

알루미늄 튜브 하이드로포밍 성형 해석 및 성형성 평가

A tube hydroformability testing system was designed and manufactured to observe the forming steps and to provide arbitrary combination of internal pressure and axial feed. The forming limit diagram of an aluminum tube was obtained from the free bulge test and the T-shape forming test using this system, giving the criteria for predicting failure in the hydroforming process. The hydroformability of aluminum tube according to different conditions of a prebending process was discussed, based on the finite element analysis and the forming limit test. The effects of 2D and 3D prebending on the tube hydroforming process of an automotive failing arm were evaluated and compared with each other.