ULTRASONIC CHARACTERIZATION OF TEXTURE AND FORMABILITY OF ROLLED METAL SHEETS

The texture (preferred grain orientation) of metal sheet plays a centr al role in determining the material's response to subsequent deformati on. Recent advances in inferring forming characteristics from ultrason ic velocity measurements are reviewed. After a brief discussion of the underlying physical principles, progress towards the prediction of th e normal anisotropy of steel sheet,a parameter that is important in de termining the ability of the sheet to be deeply drawn into a variety o f shapes such as those used in automobile door panels, is reviewed. Le ss well developed applications such as the prediction of the earing be havior of aluminum sheet and of the Kearns texture parameters of hexag onal metal sheet and tubing are then summarized. The paper concludes w ith a discussion of possible directions of future research.