• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 1999.03a
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• pp.14-17
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• 1999

The finite element formulation is developed for predicting strain distributions and weld line movements in the forming processes of laser welded blank. The welded zone(WZ) is modelled with several narrow finite elements whose material characteristics are analytically obtained from those of base metals based on the tensile tests. In order to show the reliability and effectiveness of weld element the forming process of hemispherical dome stretching and auto-body door inner panel stamping are simulated FEM predictions show good agreements with experimental observations.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 1998.03a
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• pp.32-35
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• 1998

The material properties and forrnabilities of tailored blanks are evaluated by experimental tests. In the tensile test, the gradient of strength coefficients of the heat affected zone associated with the welded line width represents the quality of a welded part. In the hemispherical dome punching test, the plane strain state of the welded line is observed. In the squared cupping test, the thin side is stretched more than the thick side in the stretch mode, while both sides are similarly stretched in the draw mode. In the 2D draw test, FLCo is measured in a simple manner and the forming defects of the tailored blanks with the same thickness are found.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.72-75
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• 1997

In this paper, the forming limits of laser welded blank sheets are introduced, obtained from a tensile test and a hemispherical dome punch test. Especially, the forming limit diagram(FLD) on the heat affected zone with a width 2.54mm is emphasized. Also, the experimental experiences in finding specific strain conditions are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.142-150
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• 2001

Automotive manufactures have taken more interests in tailored sheet metals for improving the rigidity, weight reduction, crash durability, and cost savings so that their application to auto-bodies has been increased. However, since the tailored sheet metals do not behave like un-welded sheet metals in press forming operations, the stamping engineers no longer rely only on conventional forming techniques. Futhermore, there is no clear understanding of the characteristics of welded metal which influence the overall press formability of tailored sheet metals. Recently, the computer simulations are prevailing for the evaluation of the formability. Unfortunately, the mechanical property of tailored sheet metal has to be quantitatively defined in the simulation. In this study, the analytical equations are formulated in order to find the mechanical properties of the welded metal in the tailored sheet metal welded by co$_2$laser. Based on force distribution assumption, the constitutive behavior of the welded metal is investigated using uniaxial tensile test results of base metals and tailored sheet metal. Then, the strength coefficient, work-hardening exponent, and plastic strain ratio of laser-welded metal are calculate from those of base metals and tailored sheet metal. In addition, the existence of weld defects in the welded metal is indirectly detected by examining the slop of strength coefficient of the welded metal.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2000

The new FLD of the laser welded blank, which includes FLCs of welded zone and base metals, is introduced. For the forming limits of welded zone, the hemispherical dome punch tests were performed with various widths of asymmetric specimen. The FLC0 as well as the dome height at fracture associated with various specimen widths in the same and different thickness combinations were found to see the formability depending on thickness combinations. In order to show the application of the new FLD, the measured strains of squared cup drawing and simulated strains of door inner panel stamping were compared with those of FLCs. The successful prediction of fracture in the applications reveals that the forming limits of welded zone and base metals should be separately found for more accurate evaluation of the formability and workability of the laser welded blank.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.181-189
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• 2001

For the Tailor Welded Blank sheet used fur automobile body panel, the characteristics of fatigue crack propagation behavior were studied. The thickness of specimen was machined to be same (0.9+0.9mm) and different (0.9+2.0mm). As a base test, mechanical properties around welding zone were examined. The results indicated that there were no significant decreases in mechanical properties, but hardness around welding bead is 2.3 times greater than base material. The crack propagation rate was noticeably decreased around welding line and rapidly increased as it passed by welding line. Reviewing the shape of the crack propagation, crack width around welding line was wide around the welding zone due to retardation of crack growth, but it became narrow passing welding line due to decreased toughness. Elasto-Plastic analysis was performed by finite element analysis fur explaining the test results.