Numerical and experimental study of strain rate effects in laser forming

Experimental investigation and numerical simulation of the influence of the strain rate in laser forming are presented. To isolate and effectively stu dy the strain rate effects, which are temperature dependent, a ''constant p eak temperature" method is developed with the aid of numerical modeling and solution. Under the condition of the constant peak temperature, the effect s of strain rate on forming efficiency, residual stress and hardness of the formed parts are studied both experimentally and numerically. In the numer ical model, the temperature dependence and strain-rate dependence of the fl ow stress and other material properties are considered. The simulation resu lts are consistent with the experimental observations. [S1087-1357(00)01004 -2].