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Mechanical properties and formability of metal–polymer–metal sandwich composites

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Abstract

Mechanical properties and formability of a three-layer metal–polymer–metal sandwich composite were studied as a function of the angle of the sample axis with respect to the rolling direction. Sandwich was obtained by bonding a polymer core, 0.4 mm in thickness, between two steel sheets, each of them with a thickness of 0.2 mm. The strength-deformation characteristics and anisotropic behavior were investigated by performing uniaxial tensile tests. Hemispherical punch tests were also carried out in order to evaluate both formability, in terms of limiting dome height and forming limit curves, and thinning attitude of the metal–polymer–metal sandwich composite. Finally, the fracture surfaces of both tensile and hemispherical punch-formed samples were analyzed by means of the scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that the samples oriented at 45° to rolling direction are characterized by the highest mechanical properties and formability as compared to the ones at 0° and 90°. Such results were related to the debonding mechanism occurring at the interfaces between steel sheet and plastic core as the angle of the sample axis was 0° and 90°.

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The experimental results are available upon request.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Massimiliano Pieralisi and Luciano Greco for their support in carrying out the experimental tests.

Funding

This research was supported by POR FESR Abruzzo 2014/2020—Linea di Azione I.1.1 e 1.1.4—Avviso Pubblico per il “Sostegno a progetti di Ricerca Industriale, Sviluppo Sperimentale e Innovazione delle PMI nelle aree di specializzazione S3” (CUP: C37H18000070007).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DIISM, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60121, Ancona, Italy

    Archimede Forcellese

  2. Università degli Studi eCampus, via Isimbardi 10, 22060, Novedrate, CO, Italy

    Michela Simoncini

Authors
  1. Archimede Forcellese
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  2. Michela Simoncini
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Contributions

Conceptualization, Archimede Forcellese and Michela Simoncini. Data curation, Michela Simoncini. Formal analysis, Archimede Forcellese and Michela Simoncini. Investigation, Michela Simoncini. Methodology, Archimede Forcellese and Michela Simoncini. Project administration, Archimede Forcellese; Supervision, Archimede Forcellese. Writing—original draft, Michela Simoncini. Writing—review and editing, Archimede Forcellese.

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Correspondence to Michela Simoncini.

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Appendix

Appendix

Table 2 Thickness values and thickness variation measured along the radial cross-section in the different zones of each layer of disk-shaped samples deformed during hemispherical punch test
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Forcellese, A., Simoncini, M. Mechanical properties and formability of metal–polymer–metal sandwich composites. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 107, 3333–3349 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-020-05245-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-020-05245-6

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