Abstract:Forming limit diagram (FLD) is an important performance index to describe the maximum limit of principal strains that can be sustained by sheet metals till to the onset of localized necking. It offers a convenient and useful tool to predict the forming limit in the sheet metal forming processes. In the present study, FLD has been determined experimentally for Ti-6Al-4V alloy at 400 °C by conducting a Nakazima test with specimens of different widths. Additionally, for theoretical FLD prediction, various anisotropic yield criteria (Barlat 1989, Barlat 1996, Hill 1993) and different hardening models viz., Hollomon power law (HPL), Johnson-Cook (JC), modified Zerilli–Armstrong (m-ZA), modified Arrhenius (m-Arr) models have been developed. Theoretical FLDs have been determined using Marciniak and Kuczynski (M-K) theory incorporating the developed yield criteria and constitutive models. It has been observed that the effect of yield model is more pronounced than the effect of constitutive model for theoretical FLDs prediction. However, the value of thickness imperfection factor (f₀) is solely dependent on hardening model. Hill (1993) yield criterion is best suited for FLD prediction in the right hand side region. Moreover, Barlat (1989) yield criterion is best suited for FLD prediction in left hand side region. Therefore, the proposed hybrid FLD in combination with Barlat (1989) and Hill (1993) yield models with m-Arr hardening model is in the best agreement with experimental FLD.

Key words: Ti-6Al-4V alloy; yield criteria; hardening model; Marciniak and Kuczynski theory; forming limit diagram