Effect of the material-hardening mode on the springback simulation accuracy of V-free bending

Lower springback simulation accuracy is a common problem for large complex sheet metal parts with FE software. The springback of V-free bending is studied in this paper by using a self-developed 2D elasto-plastic finite element program. A linear-hardening model and an elasto-plastic power-exponent hardening model of the material are adopted in this study. The change of the material’s Young’s modulus with plastic deformation is also considered. The results show that the material-hardening mode directly affects the springback simulation accuracy, and the greater the veracity of the hardening mode, the greater the springback accuracy.