Studying the stress-strain curve of C12200 Copper tube using hydraulic bulge test in T-shape die

In hydroforming process, applying hydraulic pressure to the inner surface of tube along with axial loads to two ends of tube simultaneously cause the tube to be formed to the die shape. Application of finite element simulation is common practice to predict the geometrical dimensions of the produced part and analysis of probable defects. For finite element simulation, precise mechanical properties of tube material are required. Obtaining these properties from a test similar to the tube hydroforming process is desirable. In this study hydraulic bulge test using T-shape die has been introduced to obtain the stress-strain curve of the tube material. Using hydroforming set-up, several experiments were carried out on C12200 copper samples. Geometrical parameters required to be used in analytical solutions have been identified and the stress-strain curve has been plotted. The results of the proposed experiment have been compared to the results of the tensile test. In addition, the effects of anisotropy on the obtained stress-strain curve of both tests have been determined. The stress-strain curve obtained has been used to plot the forming limit diagram. The bulge test mechanical properties and the forming limit diagram have been applied to simulate the tube bursting and prediction of the final part geometrical dimensions in T-shape tube hydroforming and these results have been compared to the part being experimentally produced by hydroforming. The results show that when stress-strain curve obtained by the proposed experiment is used, there is a good agreement between the simulated hydroformed part and the experimental part.