EXPERIMENTAL DETERMINATION AND ANALYSIS OF FLOW STRESS ON MICRO TUBE HYDROFORMING PROCESSES

摘要

The development of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and micro-system technologies (MST) has increased the need for a better understanding of new micro scale manufacturing processes. Recent research has focused on creating new processes that manufacture better quality and low cost products. The use of micro metal forming processes presents excellent alternative methods for producing miniature components due to their cost advantages in bulk production and improved material properties after deformation. Among these processes, micro tube hydroforming has received little attention even though it has the capability to form a variety of shapes with minimal scrap generated. In this paper, the micro hydroforming of a 2.1 mm stainless steel (SS) 304 tube has been investigated. Material property tests for the SS tube have been determined using traditional tensile tests and tube bulge tests. Initial findings have shown that the tube bulge test is morernaccurate when compared to Finite Element Analysis (FEA) results. These results will assist in further investigation toward forming various geometries using micro tube hydroforming processes.