Novel approach for analysis of deformation behavior of thin-walled tube in free hydro-bulging process
(Department of Electronic Machinery and Traffic Engineering Guilin University of Electronic Technology Guilin 541004 China)
Abstract: Based on the assumption that profile of thin walled tube in free hydro-bulging process is a quadratic curve and any point on the profile moves vertically to the profile, mathematical models were deduced for analyzing the deformation behavior. The critical pressure and the maximum bulge coefficient(height) at bursting can be determined based on the models, in which a shape factor a is introduced to tightly communicate the material property and geometric parameters to plastic deformation. Free hydro-bulging experiments of stainless steel and low carbon steel tubes were conducted to validate the models, and the experimental data indicate that the theoretical predictions are reliable and accurate. The results display that the profile, dependent on the material and geometric parameters, can be hyperbola, parabola, arc and ellipse or alternative among them; moreover, the forming pressure and forming limit are both closely connected with material and geometric parameters.
Key words: hydro-bulging； thin-walled tube； deformation； forming pressure； formability