Investigation of the Tube Expansion Test with Elastomer Using Locally Overaged AA6063 Tubes

The definitive implementation of Aluminium alloys as the main choice for lighter structural components needs availability innovative manufacturing processes capable overcoming their poor formability at room temperature. local modifications material properties (by means short-term heat treatments) have shown effectiveness in such terms. In a previous study from same authors, it was experimentally investigated that, if AA6063-T6 tubular component is locally brought to overaged condition, its strain behavior significantly changes during an expansion test with elastomer. light this, equipment used tube tests simulated by FE model created using Abaqus and properly tuned data coming experimental carried out on specimens. calibrated could be thus simulate while considering several distributions (obtained through different heating strategies). Numerical results confirmed possibility change slope path, suggesting that can tailored, according specific applications, designing laser strategy.