On the Thickness Effect of Axisymmetric Deformation of Sheet Metals

In the present investigation, we have studied the influence of sheet thickness on the limiting strain, i.e., forming limit, of a mild steel by punch stretching experiments. Our results show that for a two-fold increase in thickness the limiting strain of a material does not substantially increase with increasing thickness of the sheet. These experimental observations were well supported by the results of theoretical analysis using Finite Element modelling of the process.