A study of the micro-strengthening process of pure iron sheet

For the last 10 years, there has been a significant research interest in metal micro forming. However, neither a methodology nor exact micro mechanical properties have been properly determined. Traditional numerical programs are also of little use in analyzing cases on a micro scale. This study presents several experiments that demonstrate the results of simulation and the influence of the “size effect”. These were completed using an analysis program, which was created by the authors. Based on comparisons between the experimental results and simulation results, an analytical limit was found for the micro scale. To find the analytical limit of this program for micro-scale numerical analysis, the study compares the experimental results from a micro-strengthening test and simulation results from numerical analysis. The micro-iron sheets of four different thickness were chosen as the experimental materials. Samples of different grain sizes were produced using heat treatment at different temperatures. These samples with different grain sizes were used in the experiment. From the experimental results, the analytical limit of this program was determined providing that the program is suitable for analysis of cases on the micro scale.

► Iron foil heat treatment. ► Micro-strengthening process experiments and simulations. ► Analytical limit of this program for micro forming simulation. ► Size effect on micro forming process.