Experimental investigation of the novel dieless clinching process free of blank holder

A novel dieless clinching process free of blank holder was proposed in this study. This novel clinching process applied to joining Al5052 sheets under the forming forces from 24 to 54 kN was investigated experimentally. The joint geometrical characteristics, static mechanical strength, energy absorption and failure modes were revealed. From the results, the sound joints can be produced under various forming forces from 24 to 54 kN. With the forming force increasing, the neck thickness was increased continually while the interlock value remained almost constant. On the other hand, the protrusion height of clinched joint was reduced continually with the forming force increasing. Both the tensile strength and shear strength were enhanced with the forming force increasing. Under the forming force of 54 kN, the tensile strength and the shear strength were 1249 and 1107 kN, respectively. In general, a larger joining force leads to a better clinched joint with lower protrusion height and higher mechanical strength.