Analysis of the single point incremental forming process in AISI 1008 steel sheet.

Abstract

Single-point incremental sheet forming (SPIF) is a process that has been little explored by the manufacturing sector and still requires definitions of materials and parameters for its application. Thus, this study aims to analyze the formability of 0.90 mm thick AISI 1008 steel sheets through single-point incremental forming (SPIF) tests. The forming process was carried out on a CNC machining center using a helical toolpath strategy with lubrication. Chemical analysis of the steel and mechanical tensile tests were performed. After forming, thickness measurements were taken to analyze deformation, the maximum wall angle limit was determined, microhardness testing was conducted, and grain boundary metallography was performed before and after the SPIF process. As a result, a maximum wall angle of 75° was achieved. The final product exhibited a thickness reduction of up to 74% compared to the initial sheet and an 86.2% increase in microhardness at the failure region. Similarly, metallographic analysis revealed the elongation of grain boundaries in the forming direction, and finally, the FLC (Forming Limit Curve) for 0.90 mm thick AISI 1008 steel was established.