Investigation of the Rolling Direction Influence on Springback Effect of a U-Shaped Made from AZ31 Magnesium Alloy

Magnesium alloys were being increasingly considered for sheet forming applications because of their low density and high strength. Therefore, the main areas of research focused on the deformation mechanisms, improving ductility, and possible forming applications [1]. Published results on deformability and springback prediction of magnesium alloy stripes are minimal. The rolling direction of the materials with respect to the deformation direction can greatly influence on springback as well as formability. Though novel approaches relating to the formality of magnesium alloy stripes are available, the change of springback due to the characteristic of each process should be verified by finite element method [2]. In this study, the magnesium alloy strips having the thickness of 1mm, are used to investigate springback characteristics in U-shape bending. The Dynaform 5.8 software was used to simulate the forming process, in which the rolling directions of the material vary with respect to the main deformation axis. There are three different cases: RD0o, RD45o and RD90o. The springback phenomenon is simulated using the same software, but a different module. The following aspects stand out from the simulation tests of the influence of rolling direction on springback parameters: the material rolling direction perpendicular to the deformation direction (0o) leads to reduction of springback intensity; the thickness of the material in case of RD0o is reduced in comparison with the one of RD90o. It can be considered that the results generated by the analysis of springback phenomenon using finite element method are sufficiently accurate and can be considered valid.