Article In: cienciavitae

Cold Expansion and Reduction of Thin-Walled PVC Tubes Using a Die

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

Luís Manuel Mendonça Alves; P.A.F. Martins — 2009

Key information

Authors:

Luís Manuel Mendonça Alves (Luís Manuel Mendonça Alves); P.A.F. Martins (Paulo António Firme Martins)

Published in

May 2009

Abstract

The production of sound thin-walled tubular parts by expansion and reduction using a die is generally limited to metals. Current research work in the field follows the same trend as that of industry and, therefore, there is no accumulated experience, no practical design rules and no information available in the specialized literature concerning the utilization of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes (as well as other polymers). As far as authors are aware no technology validation studies have ever been performed with the objective ofemploying cold expansion and reduction forming processes for shaping the end of thin-walled PVC tubes. This paper is concerned with the abovementioned lack of knowledge and is a first step towards the understanding of the mechanics of deformation of tube end forming applied to PVC (and polymers, in general). The presentation addresses the influence ofmajor process parameters on the formability limits of the expansion and reduction of thin-walled PVC tubes using a die and proposes an innovative extension of the flow formulation that is capable of modelling cold plastic deformation of pressure-sensitive polymers under a non-associated flow rule. The overall investigation is assessed with experimental data obtained under laboratory-controlled conditions and results show that free expansion and reduction of thin-walled PVC tubes using a die can be successfully utilized for producing custom and specific shapes at the tube ends.

Publication details

Authors in the community:

Title of the publication container

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

First page or article number

4229

Last page

4236

Volume

209

Issue

9

Fields of Science and Technology (FOS)

mechanical-engineering - Mechanical engineering

Publication language (ISO code)

eng - English

Rights type:

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