Influence of embossing and restoration on the mechanical properties of aluminum alloy sheets

Embossing and restoration are utilized to improve the mechanical properties of sheet metal. By subjecting the sheet to these techniques, the section modulus of the sheet metal is increased. Moreover, strain hardening is locally introduced on the sheet. With these strengthening methods, sheet metal of thinner gage can be utilized with remarkable improvement in mechanical properties, such as strength and rigidity. In this paper, embossing and restoration process are conducted to different aluminum alloy sheets. The effects of these techniques to the yield strength, tensile strength, total elongation and bending strength of the sheets are investigated. Also, the effects of bulge height during embossing and of forming condition on these mechanical properties of formed specimens are examined. The effectiveness of these forming techniques on strengthening the sheets is likewise discussed. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.