Investigation on the Effect of Blank Holder Force and Initial Blank Size on the Thinning Problem of the Fuel Tank Part Made from Aluminum Alloy Sheet 5754-O under Deep Drawing Process

Abstract

Deep drawing process is a common sheet metal forming technique in motor vehicle manufacturing. There are three primary defects that could be occur in deep-drawn parts: tearing, wrinkling, and thinning. When the thinning is difficulty detected by visual inspection. As a result, this study aims to address the thinning issue in a fuel tank part made from an aluminum alloy sheet AA5754-O 1.5 mm thick under cold working deep drawing process, while the manufacturer's desired upper limit for thinning is 20%. Two influential parameters viz. blank holder force and initial size of blank, were investigated and optimized by using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) through PAM-STAMP simulation software with the validated material model was based on Hill’s 1948 anisotropic yield criterion with Swift hardening law. The mechanical parameters in the mentioned model were derived from the results of uniaxial tensile tests. In conclusion, both the hydraulic cushion's blank holder pressure and the initial size of the blank were found to influence the thinning of the part, either individually or in combination. Despite optimizing both parameters, they were unable to consistently achieve the desired limit.