
Modeling and Experimental Validation of Laser Beam Forming Applied to Ti64 Sheets
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Laser beam forming (LBF) is a sustainable manufacturing process for sheet bending in which a laser-induced thermal distortion is used to form metal sheets without a hard forming tool or external forces [1]. This subject is particularly relevant in many specific applications, e.g., in the aerospace, microelectronics and automotive industries, that usually require control over the material integrity after the forming process. In LBF, a laser beam heats up specific zones of the material generating thermal stresses that exceed its yield strength inducing plastic deformation that finally bends the sheet. Experimental, theoretical and numerical investigations have been reported to understand the complex thermomechanical mechanisms involved in sheet metal forming using laser beam scanning for different operating variables and materials [2]. In particular, LBF is suitable for titanium-based alloys since these materials exhibit poor drawability at ambient temperature. Despite the progress made in the understanding of the phenomena involved in this specific application [3,4], there are still some aspects that need further investigation such as the modeling of the resulting microstructure and its influence on the mechanical performance of the manufactured piece both during bending and later in service. The development of a modeling tool to account for the coupled thermomechanical-microstructural response of the Ti64 alloy during LBF is precisely the main objective of the present work.