Effects of process parameters on electromagnetic forming of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets at room temperature

In this work, the effects of process parameters on AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets were investigated by electromagnetic bulging experiments. The bulging height increases with increasing discharging energy, which is adjusted by tuning discharge voltage and capacitance. The limit dome height of electromagnetic forming is markedly improved as compared to quasi-static forming. In order to improve the efficiency of the energy, 0.5- and 1-mm thick Al driver sheet were used to accelerate the magnesium alloy sheets. For rupturing the AZ31 sheet, the discharging energy can be reduced from a maximum value of 4.356 kJ (no driver) to 2.304 kJ (with1-mm Al driver sheet). The numerical simulation for the electromagnetic forming of AZ31 sheet is performed by means of ANSYS FEA software. The change of velocity, strain rate, and plastic strain energy were analyzed by simulation. Compared with quasi-static forming limit results, increases in the major and minor principal strains of approximately 68 and 72 % were achieved, respectively.