Numerical Predictions of the Occurrence of Necking in Deep Drawing Processes

In this work, three numerical necking criteria based on finite element (FE) simulations are proposed for the prediction of forming limit diagrams (FLDs) for sheet metals. An elastic–plastic constitutive model coupled with the Lemaitre continuum damage theory has been implemented into the ABAQUS/Explicit software to simulate simple sheet stretching tests as well as Erichsen deep drawing tests with various sheet specimen geometries. Three numerical criteria have been investigated in order to establish an appropriate necking criterion for the prediction of formability limits. The first numerical criterion is based on the analysis of the thickness strain evolution in the central part of the specimens. The second numerical criterion is based on the analysis of the second time derivative of the thickness strain. As to the third numerical criterion, it relies on a damage threshold associated with the occurrence of necking. The FLDs thus predicted by numerical simulation of simple sheet stretching with various specimen geometries and Erichsen deep drawing tests are compared with the experimental results