Bending Deformation of Aluminum Alloy Sheets with Aging Time

Bending deformation behavior of 6061 aluminum alloy sheets after different aging times was investigated using three-point bending tests. The bending deformation was analyzed experimentally and using finite-element (FE) analysis. The results showed that the strength of the material increased with aging time, resulting in a decrease of bending radius and bending thickness in the fillet region, and an increase of the neutral layer offset and springback angle. A strain-hardening exponent n with a power function model was introduced following correlation analysis of the main factors. Regression models of the bending parameters were established based on evaluation of the t-Student relevant parameters. The accuracies of the regression and FE springback models in predicting the springback angle were compared with experimental results. The regression model showed higher accuracy in predicting the springback angle. This modeling method can be extended to predict deformation behavior of aluminum alloy structures and provide a theoretical basis for the design of lightweight automotive structures.