Simulation of the bending process of an aluminum-rubber profile

This paper presents numerical simulations and experimental investigations of the bending process used in automotive industry to form a glass run channel made of aluminum and rubber. Mechanical behavior has been identified by laboratory tests and metal anisotropy has been characterized. Simplified structures have been considered and FEM simulations have been conducted. For the metal behavior, elastoplasticity with isotropic work hardening has been considered with both von Mises and Hill yield criteria. Rubber behavior has been represented by hyperelasticity using Rivlin's law. To validate the simulations, bending experiments have been performed and strains have been measured by the mean of square grids deposited on the surface samples before the tests.