Influence of intermetallic phases morphology on fracture during deep drawing with ironing

In the article it is shown the research results of fracture during deep drawing of cans from aluminum alloy 3104 H19. It is stated that the fracture of can’s wall occurs on the fifth step of drawing with ironing (on distance 118-120 mm from the can’s bottom). To establish the influence of intermetallic phases (Al6(Fe, Mn) and Al12(Fe, Mn)3Si) morphology on stress state during drawing it was developed integrated finite element model of can’s wall section with account of real microstructure. The results analysis has shown that the value of equivalent stress on the edge of both big and small intermetallic phases is considerably superior to limit values of material mechanical properties. This leads to phases crumbling during drawing and micro-cracks formation. Also it is stated that round phases cause smaller stresses than elongated. The value of equivalent stress near small elongated phases is larger than near big one, due to this fact such phases are crumbled more intensively during drawing.