Abstract
In the paper some numerical simulation results of sheet-titanium forming of tailor-welded blanks (TWB) are presented. Forming the spherical caps from the uniform and welded blanks are analysed. Grade 2 and Grade 5 (Ti6Al4V) titanium sheets with thickness of 0.8 mm are examined. A three-dimensional model of the forming process and numerical simulation are performed using the ADINA System v.8.6, based on the finite element method (FEM). An analysis of the mechanical properties and geometrical parameters of the weld and its adjacent zones are based on the experimental studies. Drawability and possibilities of plastic deformation are assessed based on the comparative analysis of the determined plastic strain distributions in the drawpiece material and thickness changes of the cup wall. The preliminary experimental studies confirm correctness of the assumptions in the presented numerical forming process. The results obtained in the numerical simulations show some difficulties occurring in forming of welded blanks and provide important information about the process course. They might be useful in design and optimization of the forming process.