Understanding formability of extra-deep drawing steel at elevated temperature using finite element simulation

Deep drawing involves conversion of flat thin sheet metal blanks into parts of desired shape. Although applications of deep drawing processes at elevated temperatures (warm forming) have not yet been used effectively nowadays, it is clear that it is going to be a very important manufacturing application in the future. Warm deep drawing process of circular blanks is investigated using a 20 T hydraulic press and a finite element model coupled with thermal analysis. The present work is aimed to investigate the limiting draw ratio (LDR) and the coefficient of friction of extra-deep drawing (EDD) steels at room temperature and at 200 °C. Simulation and experimental results showed an increase in the LDR as the temperature increases and the coefficient of friction was estimated by comparing the simulation and experimental load–displacement curve. Finite element simulation results were in good agreement with the experimental results.