Experimental and numerical analysis of the forming process of a CP titanium scoliotic instrumentation Review Article

This paper presents a finite element model to simulate and optimize the bending forming process of a Commercially Pure (CP) titanium part for instrumentation intended to correct scoliotic deformations. The numerical tool is used as a technological indicator, in particular to anticipate tool dimensions compensating for the springback after bending. The mechanical behaviour of material is studied from uniaxial tensile tests with an image analysis measurement method for the determination of strain fields. The experimental results are then used to identify the intrinsic behaviour of the CP titanium and the parameters of an anisotropic elastic–plastic model. The numerical simulation is carried out on a reference part manufactured by the industrial partner. The study reveals that the numerical outline is in agreement with the measurements carried out on the part if the springback after bending is taken into account. The influence of the opening angle of the punch and die on this phenomenon is finally discussed through a parametric study.