Practical limitations to the influence of through-thickness normal stress on sheet metal formability

According to a recent (original) model, when hardening properties and the ratio of through-thickness normal stress to the first principal stress (gamma equivalent to sigma(3)/sigma(1)) are held constant, sheet metal formability can be increased dramatically through the introduction of a compressive throughthickness normal stress, sigma(3). In practice, however, both the hardening properties and gamma evolve with the progression of deformation. To manage most efficiently the evolution of the hardening properties and gamma, the original model is cast into a more compact form and presented as a proposed alternative form (proposed model). When the evolution of the hardening properties and gamma is considered, the proposed model is shown to be in very good agreement with observed data; the influence of through-thickness normal stress on sheet metal formability is quite small for all practical purposes. Because the structure of the original model is similar to that of the proposed model, the original model is also validated. Ultimately, it is verified that although the theory of the original and proposed model may be acceptable, the implications of such theories are less profound than those first proposed when practical limitations are considered. This work serves as a useful basis for: (1) further understanding the limitations of the influence of compressive through-thickness normal stress on sheet metal formability and (2) exploring opportunities for improving sheet metal formability. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.