Investigation on deformation behavior of sheet metals in viscous pressure bulging based on ESPI

In order to analyze the effect of viscous medium on the deformation behavior of sheet metals in viscous pressure bulging (VPB), the entire deformation process including instability and fracture was investigated real-timely by the aid of electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI). Images of speckle patterns were captured continuously to obtain fringe patterns representing the full field strain rate. Values of strain rates were calculated based on the fringe patterns. The evolution of the weak region from the initial defect to the groove until crack was also observed through the fringe patterns. The onset of diffuse and localized necking were determined qualitatively and quantitatively. Experimental results show that the deformation of sheet metals in VPB passed through five states, namely, uniform deformation, straits localization, diffuse necking, localized necking and fracture. A defect emerged in strain localization. The growth of the defect caused the diffuse necking and generated a groove. The groove expanded mainly in length direction until the localized necking occurred. Finally the specimen fractured as a result of groove deepening. The tangential adhesive stress provided by viscous medium in VPB restricted the locally larger strain of the specimen. The diffuse necking was postponed greatly. Theoretical prediction of the limit strains of sheet metals in VPB would be made based on the experimental results in further work. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.