Formability of stamping magnesium-alloy AZ31 sheets

In the present study, the formability of stamping magnesium-alloy AZ31 sheets at elevated temperatures was investigated by conducting various experiments. The experimental results indicate that AZ31 sheets exhibit poor formability at room temperature, but the formability is improved significantly at elevated temperatures. Also the springback is reduced when AZ31 sheets are stamped at higher temperatures. In addition, the conical cup value (CCV) tests performed in the present study reveal that an optimum forming temperature, which is below 400 degreesC, exists, and a lower forming temperature should be applied in the actual forming process. The experimental results obtained in the present study provide the fundamentals for the stamping die design of forming AZ31 sheets. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.