Sensitivity analysis of material parameters on spring-back of NC bending of high-strength TA18 tube

Spring-back is one of the key factors affecting the forming quality of the NC bending of high-strength TA18 tubes (TA18-HS tubes). Since material parameters have a direct influence on stress and strain fields during the bending and after unloading, the springback of TA18-HS tubes after NC bending depends on material properties to a great degree. In order to study the effect of material parameters, the sensitivity of material parameters on spring-back of TA18-HS tubes is analyzed in this study, using the numerical simulation and the multi-parameters sensitivity analysis method. The results show the following: (1) The springback angle has a positive correlation with the strength coefficient and initial yield stress, and has a negative correlation with the elastic modulus and strain hardening exponent. Besides, with the increase of elastic modulus, the fluctuation of springback goes gently; with the increase of the strength coefficient and initial yield stress, the fluctuation of springback goes abruptly; but with the variation of the strain hardening exponent, the springback fluctuates slightly; (2) The elastic modulus is the most sensitive material parameter on spring-back, the strength coefficient and initial yield stress rank the second and third, respectively, and the strain hardening exponent is the last. The achievement of the study is valuable to eliminate the non-sensitivity parameters, simplify the optimization project, and improve the spring-back prediction capability.