Factors influencing the forming characteristics in micro tube hydroforming by ultra high-forming pressure

Abstract

The focus of this study is micro tube hydroforming (MTHF) for fabricating complex shaped tubular or three-dimensional hollow micro components, which is a scaled down technology of tube hydroforming. In our previous study, a new MTHF system with ultra-high pressure generator was developed and a T- and cross-shaped micro tube hydroforming of phosphorous-deoxidized copper tube with diameter of 500 µm and thickness of 100 µm was successful. In this study, a micro T-shaped hydroforming as well as a micro cross-shaped hydroforming are carried out to confirm influential factors on micro forming characteristics of MTHF. Lubrication condition, material property, formed shape and grain size are mainly considered as influential factors, and discussed.