Tribology in Hot Aluminium Forming

Purpose and goal

The objective of the proposed project was to increase the robustness and predictability of hot aluminium forming by significantly raising the level of understanding regarding the tribological phenomena occurring in the evaluated processes through best practice guidelines and advanced friction models implemented in forming simulations. Best practice guidelines were developed for the two processes and an advanced friction model was developed and implemented for one of the processes.

Expected results and effects

Project resulted in tools and methods to make the two evaluated hot aluminium forming processes more robust by selecting well working tribological systems and including them in best practice guidelines as well as more predictable by developing a friction model and selecting a suitable material model to be used in hot aluminium sheet forming.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was divided into four work packages. WP1 was focused on experiments and investigations to gain a deep understanding of the tribological systems. WP2 was focused on developing and implementing a model for friction as well as evaluating a material model for forming simulations. In the third WP, validation was performed by testing in industrially relevant environments. WP4 involved project management. Due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the project time had to be extended.