Adjusting residual stresses by flexible stress superposition in incremental sheet metal forming

Process-induced residual stresses significantly influence the mechanical properties of a formed component. A polymer pad is used as a flexible die in two-point incremental forming to induce compressive residual stresses in the component during the forming process. Experimental and numerical results illustrate the influence of compressive stress superposition on the component properties. It is shown that the active support, using a geometry-independent polyurethane die, causes beneficial compressive residual stresses on the tool side compared to the tensile residual stresses induced by the single-point incremental forming process without such a supporting die.