A technical note on the role of process parameters in predicting flow behavior of plasticine using design of experiment

Since different colors of plasticine, used to simulate metal forming processes (MFP), are manufactured by adding various agents to a base material, they are different in composition, mechanical properties and in their response to the deformation loads. In addition to selecting appropriate materials and controlling the deformation speed of process, we can also select metal forming lubricants to effectively reduce friction at the interface of die/workpiece. The true characteristics of plasticine were first clearly identified by designing the compression experiments via 2k factorial design method with lubrication type, deformation speed, and material type (color) as the main process factors. The obtained data were then analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) method. The results of this statistical study showed that color of plasticine, lubricant type used at the interfaces of the die/workpiece and deformation speed of process had a significant and positive effects on the flow behavior of plasticine as well as two-factor interactions.