Process parameters influence on friction coefficient in sheet forming operations

In conventional sheet forming processes, such as stamping or drawing, significant contact phenomena take place between workpiece and die surfaces. Especially, relative motion and normal loads generate friction which influences some aspects of processes such as material flow, tools wear and life and total force needed to complete the process. In the current paper an experimental test campaign has been carried out using a large scale pin-on-disk device designed and realized by the Authors to investigate the influence of pressure, sliding velocity and temperature. The purpose is to test the developed device and to find which and how these parameters mostly affect friction. The pin-on-disk test consists of two specimens, a pin and a plate representing respectively die and workpiece, which are compressed by means of a known force and then moved one over the other. Compression and friction forces are sampled during the tests and the friction coefficient is estimated as the ratio of these two forces. The tested materials are H13 die steel on FeP04 and AZ31 sheets.