Materials forming

The discipline of materials forming is focussed on plastic deformation of metals and alloys. Processes such as forging, rolling, extrusion and drawing are analysed by experiments and theories. Different kinds of manufacturing are studied, for example the forming of semi-finished products such as rods, wires, plates, strips, tubes and bolts as well as components for the automotive industry. The aim of the plastic deformation is to give the material a specific shape and improved properties. – The teaching is focussed on describing different manufacturing processes and on methods of analysis meant for predicting the material flow, strains, stresses, temperatures, tool pressures, loads and energies. – The research is meant to contribute to process optimisation. This is done by improving the tool design and the way the process is executed. Focus is often put on increasing the material yield and tool life at the same time as the productivity shall be improved and the necessary energy minimised. Also the elimination of existing material defects – such as voids and surface cracks originating from the casting –- makes up a central part of the research field. Great attention is also put to minimizing the risk for defects generation during the plastic forming. The research is usually carried out in close contact with industry. Computer simulations, which are coupled to experiments, characterize the research.