Influence of temperature and strain rate on the formability of aluminium alloys: Comparison between experimental and predictive results

International audienceThe use of sheet metal forming processes can be limited by the formability of materials, especially in the case of aluminium alloys. To improve the formability, warm forming processes can be considered. In this work, the effects of temperature and strain rate on the formability of a given aluminium alloy (AA5086) have been studied by means of both experimental and predictive approaches. Experimental tests have been carried out with a Marciniak stamping experimental device. Forming limit curves (FLCs) have been established on a temperature range going from ambient temperature to 200°C and on a strain rate range going from quasi-static up to 2s-1. In order to predict the experimental temperature and strain rate sensitivities, a predictive model based on the finite element simulation of the classical Marciniak and Kuczynski (M-K) geometrical model is proposed. The limit strains obtained with this model are very sensitive to the thermo-viscoplastic behaviour modeling and to the calibration of the initial geometrical imperfection controlling the onset of necking