Prediction of forming limit curve (FLC) for Al–Li alloy 2198-T3 sheet using different yield functions

The Forming Limit Curve (FLC) of the third generation aluminum–lithium (Al–Li) alloy 2198-T3 is measured by conducting a hemispherical dome test with specimens of different widths. The theoretical prediction of the FLC of 2198-T3 is based on the M–K theory utilizing respectively the von Mises, Hill’48, Hosford and Barlat 89 yield functions, and the different predicted curves due to different yield functions are compared with the experimentally measured FLC of 2198-T3. The results show that though there are differences among the four predicted curves, yet they all agree well with the experimentally measured curve. In the area near the planar strain state, the predicted curves and experimentally measured curve are very close. The predicted curve based on the Hosford yield function is more accurate under the tension–compression strain states described in the left part of the FLC, while the accuracy is better for the predicted curve based on Hill’48 yield function under the tension–tension strain states shown in the right part.