M. Simoncini

Friction Stir Welding of Magnesium Alloys under Different Process Parameters

Experimental and numerical investigations have been performed in order to study the effect of welding parameters on properties of FSW-ed AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets. The results, presented in terms of tensile strength and numerical field variables distributions, allow to understand the behaviour of such material when FSW-ed using different rotational and welding speeds for a given tool geometry.

Formability and Microstructure of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Sheets

The formability of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets has been investigated in the temperature range varying from 200 to 300°C. Forming limit diagrams have been obtained by performing Nakazima-based tests. The different straining conditions have been investigated using sheet blanks with several length to width ratios. The forming limit curves have been related to the microstructural evolution occurring during deformation. The forming limit diagrams have shown a remarkable increase in formability with temperature that could be related to the occurrence of full dynamic recrystallization at 300°C.

Formability of Friction Stir Welded AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Sheets

The formability of friction stir welded AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets was investigated by means of uniaxial tensile and hemispherical punch tests performed under different process conditions. The results of the tensile tests were analysed in terms of flow stress and ductility at different temperature and strain rate; the hemispherical punch tests, carried out at different temperatures, provided the limiting dome height. The formability of FSW-ed blanks was compared to the one exhibited by the base material in order to evaluate the quality of the welded joints.

Warm Formability of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Sheets under Different Process Conditions

The effect of the process parameters on the sheet formability of AZ31 magnesium alloy has been investigated by means of uniaxial tensile and hemispherical punch tests at different temperatures and strain rates. The results of the uniaxial tensile tests were analysed in terms of flow curves, ductility and microstructural evolution; the constitutive parameters were evaluated and related to the forming limit curves obtained by the hemispherical punch tests carried out at different temperatures and punch speeds.

High Strain Rate Behaviour of AA7075 Aluminum Alloy at Different Initial Temper States

The aim of this work is to study the mechanical properties of alloy AA7075 in both T6 and O temper states, in terms of visco-plastic and fracture behavior. Tension and compression tests were carried out starting from the quasi-static loading condition 10-3 up to strain rates as high as 2 x 103 s-1. The high strain rate tests were performed using a Split Hopkinson Tension-Compression Bar (SHTCB) apparatus. The tensile specimens were also subjected to micro-fractography analysis by Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) to evaluate the characteristics of the fracture. The results show a different behavior for the two temper states: AA7075-O showed a significant sensitivity to strain rate, with a ductile behavior and a fracture morphology characterized by coalescence of microvoids, whilst AA7075-T6 is generally characterized by a less ductile behaviour, both as elongation at break and as fracture morphology. Brittle cleavage is accentuated with increasing strain rate. The Johnson-Cook viscoplastic model wad also used to fit the experimental data with an optimum matching.

Evaluation of Friction Coefficient in Tube Drawing Processes

A methodology, based on a combined numerical‐experimental approach, was developed to evaluate friction coefficient at the die‐workpiece surface in tube drawing. In the experimental stage the upsetting sliding method, performed under contact conditions, in terms of contact normal stress and equivalent plastic strain, similar to those encountered in the tube drawing process under investigation, was used. The values of friction coefficient calculated were dependent on tube geometry.

Process Parameter Effects on the LDR in Warm Deep Drawing of Magnesium Alloys

The present work is focused on the investigation of the role of temperature and punch speed in warm deep drawing of AZ31 magnesium alloy. To this purpose, an experimental campaign, defined using a proper DOE approach, has been performed. The experimental results, in terms of the Limiting Drawing Ratio, have shown that drawability is strongly affected by the process parameters. In particular, Limiting Drawing Ratio exhibits the peak value at 250°C. As far as the effect of punch speed is concerned, it depends on temperature: at 200°C drawability increases with decreasing punch speed whilst a reverse behaviour is observed at 250 and 300°C. The experimental results have been analysed by ANOVA in order to evaluate the effect of the single independent factors and their interactions on the dependent one.