In this paper a vacuum forming simulation together with the experimental re
sults is presented. In order to establish a material model which could desc
ribe the polymers deformation behavior precisely, the authors conducted uni
axial tensile tests using the newest type of Meissner rheometer with an acr
ylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) material. The tests were conducted for c
onstant strain-rates varying from 0.01 to 1 (1 s(-1)), at temperatures rang
ing from 150 to 200 degrees C. A new material model, based on the test data
was proposed, in which the combined effects of strain-hardening, strain-ra
te sensitivity, and temperature variation can be taken into account. Excell
ent agreement with uniaxial tensile test data was obtained. The vacuum form
ing processes of a square cup, under different initial temperatures, were s
imulated employing the proposed material model and the results compared wit
h those of experiment, the simulated final thickness distribution showing a
good correspondence to the measured thickness values. Published by Elsevie
r Science S.A. All rights reserved.