Research on warm hydroforming of aluminum tube

The influence of temperature on mechanical properties of 5A02 aluminum tube was investigated first by tensile test. Based on the tensile test results, finite element simulation of tube hydrobulging was carried out to show the formability of 5A02 aluminum tube at elevated temperature. Primary experiment work was also carried out meanwhile. The results of both FEM simulation and hydrobulging experiment showed the same changing tendency of formability of the aluminum tube as the tensile test. The appropriate forming temperature of 5A02 aluminum tube was about 200-230°C. Some possible reasons were given and discussed for the considerable difference between the maximum bulging ratio between FEM simulation result and experimental results.