Development of the cross-section moment in air-bending

Abstract. The engineering potential of air-bending as a sheet-metal forming process has been limited by certain challenges related to high-strength steels, strain localization, surface defects, “multi-breakage” and bend shape. The phenomena related to these challenges are not yet fully understood, as the conventional test methods have not provided sufficient data for in-depth analysis of the material behavior in air-bending. In this study, nine thermomechanically rolled steel grades are bent in an air-bending test setup using three different punch radii, and Digital Image Correlation for strain measurement on the outer surface. The development of the cross-section moment is measured from the force-displacement curve. A connection is found between the developments of the cross-section moment, strain distribution and multi-breakage, as well as the strain-hardening properties of the material. The presented results illustrate the potential for predicting bending behavior based on the force-displacement curve, that could be achieved with better understanding of the physics related to the air-bending process.