Tailor Welded Blanks characterization for Finite Element Analysis Applications

This work aims to study the material properties characterization of Tailored Welded Blanks (TWBs) adopting an experimental-numerical approach. The experimental data obtained by tensile tests have been used for the Finite Element modelling of the material behaviour in the uniform plastic strain field. The characterization of both the base material and the welded one have been applied to a case of Deep Drawing of circular TWBs confirming the importance to model the joint with its own properties.Experimental results have been also used to validate the numerical model reliability in simulating the material post-necking behaviour. The material post-necking behaviour has been simulated adopting the Tvergaard and Needlman damage model, whose parameters have been evaluated adopting an inverse characterization method. The influence of the welded seam orientation on the TWBs mechanical behaviour has been studied through the analysis of TWB specimens characterised by welded seams 30°, 45° and 60° oriented with respect to the load direction. The results of this study have shown the validity of the proposed methodology.