Better testing leads to better roll forming

Most people involved in metal forming are familiar with the problem of residual stress. It causes metal to distort after it is cut or bent, and can result in defects in the finished product.

Researchers from Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials led by Dr Matthias Weiss, have worked with industry partners Australian Rollforming Manufacturers (ARM) and FSK Engineering to develop a new test to predict which materials are likely to exhibit residual stress defects.

The simple bending test provides much improved information compared with traditional tensile tests, allowing engineers to decide which materials may be more susceptible to such defects before they are set up on a roll former.