Paul Åkerström

Numerical implementation of a constitutive model for simulation of hot stamping

In order to increase the accuracy of numerical simulations of the hot stamping process, an accurate and robust constitutive model is crucial. During the process, a hot blank is inserted into a tool where it is continuously formed and cooled. For the steel grades often used for this purpose, the initially austenitized blank will decompose into different product phases depending on the cooling and mechanical history. As a consequence, the phase proportions change will affect both the thermal and mechanical properties of the continuously formed and cooled blank. A thermo-elastic–plastic constitutive model based on the von Mises yield criterion with associated plastic flow is implemented into the LS-Dyna finite element code. Models accounting for the austenite decomposition and transformation induced plasticity are included in the constitutive model.The implemented model results are compared with experimental dilatation results with and without externally applied forces. Further, the calculated isothermal mechanical response during the formation of a new phase is compared with the corresponding experimental response for two different temperatures.

Material parameter estimation for boron steel from simultaneous cooling and compression experiments

In order to increase the accuracy of numerical simulations of the hot stamping process, reliable material data is crucial. Traditionally, the material is characterized by several isothermal compression or tension tests performed at elevated temperatures and different strain rates. The drawback of the traditional methods is the appearance of unwanted phases for some test temperatures and durations. Such an approach is also both time consuming and expensive. In the present work an alternative approach is proposed, which reduces unwanted phase changes and the number of experiments. The isothermal mechanical response is established through inverse modelling of simultaneous cooling and compression experiments. The estimated material parameters are validated by comparison with data from a separate forming experiment. The computed global response is shown to be in good agreement with the experiments.

Experimental and Numerical Evaluation of the Heat Transfer Coefficient in Press Hardening

When producing thin ultra high strength steel components with the press hardening process, it is essential that the final component achieves desirable material properties. This applies in particular to passive automotive safety components where it is of great importance to accurately predict the final component properties early in the product development process. The transfer of heat is a key process that affects the evolution of the mechanical properties in the product and it is essential that the thermal contact conditions between the blank and tool are properly described in the forming simulations. In this study an experimental setup is developed combined with an elementary inverse simulation approach to predict the interfacial heat transfer coefficient (IHTC) when the hot blank and cold tool are in mechanical contact. Different process conditions such as contact pressure and blank material (22MnB5 and Usibor 1500P) are investigated. In the inverse simulation, a thermo-mechanical coupled simulation model is used with a thermo-elastic-plastic constitutive model including effects from changes in the microstructure during quenching. The results from simulations give the variations of the heat transfer coefficient in time for best match to experimental results. It is found that the pressure dependence for the two materials is different and the heat transfer coefficient is varying during quenching. This information together with further testing will be used as a base in a future model of the heat transfer coefficient influence at different conditions in press hardening process.

Simulation and Evaluation of Phase Transformations and Mechanical Response in the Hot Stamping Process

When producing thin ultra high strength steel components with the hot stamping process it is essential that the final component achieves desirable material properties. This applies in particular to ...