Modeling the anisotropic plasticity and damage of AA7075 alloy in hot forming

The theory of unified visco-plastic damage constitutive equations has been frequently used to model the thermal flow behavior and damage evolution of various materials. But the anisotropic properties of materials were generally neglected in the previous studies. In this paper, a novel damage correction formula was proposed, which was expressed as a function of loading path and loading direction and used as a multiplier of a continuum damage model. By integrating a set of unified visco-plastic damage constitutive equations, the Yld2004-18p criterion and the damage correction formula, an improved anisotropic damage constitutive model was estab-lished. Anisotropic plasticity and anisotropic damage of AA7075 alloy under hot forming conditions can be properly modeled by this model. Material constants included in the three integrated functions were determined respectively based on different experimental data. The calibrated model is capable to accurately predict the forming limit curves of AA7075 alloy for different forming temperatures, strain rates and loading directions. The model was then numerically implemented in hot Nakajima simulations. The simulation results were evaluated comprehensively from the aspects of limit strain point, punch force-displacement curve, major strain field and fracture position. For further verification of the established model, hot forming simulation of a B-pillar was conducted and compared with a real B-pillar of AA7075 alloy fabricated via an industrial hot stamping process. It is concluded the anisotropic damage constitutive model can be numerically applied to accurately predict the plastic deformation and damage-induced fracture of AA7075 alloy under hot forming conditions.