Forming Tubes, Extrusions and Sheet Metal from Magnesium AZ31

Abstract

This paper deals with pneumatic bulging of Magnesium AZ31 sheet metal and AZ31 tubes at elevated temperatures. Flow-stress curves determined by tensile tests and pneumatic bulging at different forming temperatures and strain rates are presented for magnesium AZ31 sheet metal. It is shown that based on basic investigations an automotive sheet-metal component can be formed at elevated temperatures. To determine the material properties of magnesium tubes, tensile tests have been conducted at different forming temperatures and constant strain rate. It is shown how a forming process followed by a heat treatment process influences the microstructure and the formability of magnesium AZ31 tubes.