Rheological experimental properties and numerical modeling of a pressure-transmitting silicone rubber used in sheet metal flexible-die forming

In this paper, the rheological behaviors of a silicone rubber used in sheet metal flexible-die forming were analyzed experimentally and numerically. Firstly, six silicone rubber samples with different molecular weights were subjected to three tests: oscillation, creep recovery, and shear viscosity test by using dynamic shear rheometer (DSR). Then, the responses of the silicone rubber to the load were categorized into three groups as elasticity, viscoelasticity, and viscoplasticity depending on whether they were time dependent and recoverable during the unloading period. By applying Perzyna’s theory, a visco-elasto-plastic model was proposed to simulate the rheological behaviors of the silicone rubber numerically. Finally, a finite element-element-free Galerkin (FE-EFG) code was implemented on the basis of this numerical model. Employing the program into polymer extrusion and sheet metal flexible-die forming process, on the substation of parameters obtained from experiments, good matches were found between numerical results and experimental ones.