Air bending of AZ31 magnesium alloy in warm and hot forming conditions

The effect of the process parameters on the elastic springback of AZ31 magnesium alloy was investigated by performing air bending tests under warm and hot forming conditions. To this purpose, air bending experiments were carried out in the temperature range varying from 100 to 400°C, with different values of the punch speed (0.45 and 4.5 mm/s). Also the influence of the punch radius on springback was analysed using different radii, ranging from 2 to 6 mm. After each test, the angles of the bent specimen, before and after unloading, were measured in order to quantify the elastic springback through the springback ratio. The results show that the springback ratio is influenced by punch radius and temperature whilst a very small effect of the punch speed on springback was observed.