A new approach for deformation history of material elements in hole-flanging produced by single point incremental forming

This paper combines plasticity and circle grid analysis to investigate the deformation mechanics and failure in hole-flanging produced by single point incremental forming (SPIF). The approach is based on circle grid analysis and allows tracing strains and stresses along the deformation history of material to compare their maximum achievable values against necking and fracture limits in the principal strain and stress spaces. The overall methodology draws from the independent characterization of necking and fracture limits by means of sheet metal formability tests to the appraisal of strain loading paths in hole-flanging with blanks having different pre-cut hole diameters. The work is supported by experimentation in aluminium AA1050-H111 and the overall investigation widens previous research in the field by presenting the first set of experimental data covering the history of material strains, stresses and their corresponding formability limits.