| The demand for miniature devices has increased the application of hydroforming process in various micro-scale applications. This research ascertain the material properties of 0.2 mm thick AISI 304 stainless steel using hydraulic bulge test, and it also analyze the surface characteristics of the same material. The work pieces for this work consist of circular and elliptical work pieces. The circular work pieces were formed using dies of cavity diameters 5 mm and 11 mm, while the elliptical work pieces were formed using elliptical cavity dies with aspect ratio of 0.5, 0.8, and 0.67. Analytical methods proposed by Chakrabarty, Ekineev-Kruglov, Jovane, and Marciniak for the determination of the flow curve of sheet metal were compared to the experimental result. The outcome indicates that the Ekineev - Kruglov method has the best correlation with the experiment. An improved approach of the Banabic method was developed for the elliptical workpieces, and the results showed shows considerable improvement on the method. Surface characteristics of the 5 mm and 11 mm die work pieces were tested using the atomic force microscope; the outcome demonstrates that most of the surface parameters exhibit a linear relation with the strain. The roughness increase with increasing strain. |
