A Comparison between Three Numerical Criteria for Prediction the Forming Limit Diagram of St14 Steel

In this paper, the forming limit diagram (FLD) of a low carbon steel St14 (DIN 1623) is investigated experimentally and numerically. The objective of this study is to find a numerical criterion which enables a simple and reliable determination of the FLD. For this purpose, Out-of-plane stretching test method with hemispherical punch was simulated by using commercial finite element software, ABAQUSE 6.9. One-quarter of the geometry was used due to symmetry. The material was modeled as elastoplastic and the anisotropic properties were described by the Hill quadratic yield criterion. The model was assumed to be rate independent. Coulomb friction law was defined for all contact surfaces. The simulation process was performed in two steps. In the first step the blank-holder moves down and deforms the blank into the draw-bead. Then the punch moves up at 20 increments and deforms the specimen to a specified displacement. Three numerical criteria including maximum second thickness strain derivative (CRIT1), equivalent plastic strain increment ratio (CRIT2), and total equivalent plastic strain ratio (CRIT3) were evaluated and the forming limit curve (FLC) were obtained. The predicted FLC were compared with experimental data. Unlike the CRIT2, the CRIT1 and CRIT3 were in good agreements with were experimental data. The CRIT1 criterion predicted the lower bound of the experimental results. While by using the CRIT3 criterion both the lower and upper bounds of the experimental results were predicted.