Analysis of the Friction Mechanisms of DC04 Steel Sheets in the Flat Strip Drawing Test

This article presents the use of a specially designed flat strip drawing tester in order to assess the change in surface topography of DC04 steel sheets. The flat strip drawing test simulates friction conditions in the sheet metal-blankholder interface during deep drawing processes. Experimental tests were carried out at various nominal pressures and in dry friction and lubricated conditions. Two widely available gear and engine oils were used in the study. It was found that, in the range of pressures investigated between 3 and 12 MPa, 80W-90 gear oil provided a greater reduction in the value of the coefficient of friction (COF) than 5W-30 engine oil. Gear oil reduced the COF by an average of about 13.4 [%]. The lubrication efficiency depends on the pressure values; the greater the pressure, the lower the lubrication efficiency. A lowering of the value of the main amplitude surface roughness parameters Sa and Sq was generally observed. SEM analysis showed that even under lubrication conditions there was intense flattening of the roughness asperities of the sheet metal.