Isothermal and thermomechanical finite-element analysis of the tube drawing process using a fixed tapered plug

Abstract

Quality is a very important feature in the manufacturing of products such as tube. Nonhomogeneous deformation, common to most metalforming operations, leaves the product in a cold worked state, resulting in a pattern of residual stresses. Depending on the nature and magnitude of residual stresses, they may be detrimental or beneficial to the strength and reliability of the product. To evaluate the residual stresses in the product, a complete stress analysis of the workpiece throughout the deformation history is required. In this study, a large deformation, nonlinear, elastic-plastic finite-element code was used to investigate the effect of friction, drawing speed, degree of plastic work (reduction in area), and the die/plug geometry on the extent of temperature increase, induced residual stresses, and the required drawing load in the drawing of oxygen-free high-conductivity (OFHC) copper tube using a fixed, tapered plug. Complete simulations of the tube drawing process were conducted by tracing its deformation history from the point at which it entered the die area until it exited the die. The resulting thermal effects were then used to determine the required drawing loads and induced residual stress distributions throughout the tube wall thickness. Similar simulations were conducted without taking into account the thermal effects. Equivalent plastic strain, equivalent stress, longitudinal stress, and circumferential residual stresses are presented and compared for both the isothermal and the thermally coupled analysis.