Hydroforming analysis of exhaust pipe connectors

In this work, a hydroforming analysis of an exhaust pipe clamp adaptor made of galvalume steel was performed. Deformation and failure of galvalume exhaust pipe connectors and its coatings via the hydroforming process were studied. An explicit type (LsDyna) numerical analysis approach was adapted for the development of the hydroforming process. Pressure rate, unconstraint length, residual stress, strain hardening, and spring-back effects were considered in the analysis. The failure of tubular parts was evaluated via a forming limit diagram (FLD) according to Hill- Swift criteria. The hydroforming process was developed according to three models, which are found in the safety forming region of FLD studies. Minimum thickness values obtained from the experiments were compared with finite element analysis (FEM). The maximum percentage thinning ratio in the tubular section was more than 18 - % at 65 MPa internal pressure. The relationship between thickness reduction at plastically work hardening regions and residual stress was discussed. The deformation characteristics of the produced connector headers were also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro Vickers hardening measurements. The FEM analysis and FLD examination indicated that the failure did not occur in hydroformed specimens, whereas damage was observed at coated’ plastic work regions through microscopical investigation.