NUMERICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF PLANE BENDING OF METAL-RUBBER STRIPS

D. BOSCHER(1),(2), M. GASPERINI(2), C. MAIER(3)

(1) BTR Sealing Systems Group*, France; (2) LPMTM/CNRS, University of Paris 13, France; (3) DITDP, University of Galati, Romania

This paper deals with the analysis and optimisation of an aluminium rubber profile bending process by using the finite element method (FEM). The understanding and prediction of flaws that may appear during the process (necking, cracking...) needs reliable description of the mechanical behaviour of the materials and of the process.
Simplified plane structures have been considered and FEM simulations have been conducted. The metal behaviour has been modelled by elastoplasticity using von Mises Yield criterion and isotropic hardening rule. Rubber behaviour has been represented by hyperelasticity using Rivlin law. Contact without friction has been taken into account. Bending experiments have been performed on a plane-bending prototype and strains have been measured thanks to square grids deposited on the surface samples before the tests. The strain maps have shown that the bending produces moderately large strains but high rotations, with low shear characteristic of radial paths.
Qualitative agreement was obtained between simulation and experiment up to 80° of bending. Parameters for calculations improvements are discussed.

Keywords: bending, aluminium sheet, rubber, FEM, strains measurements.

*Acknowledgement - The authors are grateful to BTR Sealing Systems Group, represented by N. Vinceneux and T. Donis, for the financial and technical support for this study.