Expansion and reduction of thin-walled tubes using a die: Experimental and theoretical investigation

The production of sound thin-walled tubular parts by expansion and reduction using a die is generally limited to components having geometrical features within a compact range. Basic design rules, providing the geometrical and material parameters that govern the process, are mainly derived from the accumulated experience of both manufacturers of tubular parts and suppliers of machine-tools. However, no information is generally available on the influence of interface friction on material flow and on the effect of material damage and strain path on the occurrence of fracture, wrinkling and local buckling. The aim of this paper is to refresh and extend the fundamentals of tube expansion and reduction using a die by means of a comprehensive theoretical and experimental investigation. The emphasis is focused on understanding modes of deformation and on establishing formability principles for the benefit of those who design tubular parts in daily practice. The theoretical investigation is accomplished by the utilization of virtual prototyping modelling techniques based on the finite element method and the experimental work is mainly utilized for supporting and validating the theoretical investigation.