In the near couple years, the applications of amorphous alloys have attracted great attention due to their characteristics and future potential. This research is intended to synthesis a lighter Mg-based amorphous alloy as the imprinting materials for micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) with a high glass forming ability (GFA) and lower glass transition temperature (Tg). Also, the workability of the Mg-based metallic glasses is examined in terms of several viscous flow behaviors and parameters obtained from the thermomechanical analysis (TMA). The lighter Mg-based metallic glasses exhibit their superior glass forming ability, and can be cast into bulk metallic glasses (BMGs). Based on the thermal analysis of the Mg-Cu-Y glassy materials, the evaluation of the glass forming ability and thermal stability for searching the optimum alloy composition is conducted. By using Mg58Cu31Y11 amorphous alloy with the best composition as the micro-forming specimens, imprinting was made by hot pressing at 150oC with several applied compressive stresses to form the hexagonal micro-lens arrays. Finite element simulation using 3D Deform software is also applied to trace the microforming evolution, and to compare with the experimental observations. The results demonstrate that the imprinting is feasible and promising. On the other hand, the Mg-Cu-Gd BMGs with even better GFA than Mg-Cu-Y are explored in terms of their thermomechanical properties. Extension of this study is performed partially by Cu replacing by Ag or B for the improvement of maximum diameter and thermal stability. And the workability of these Mg-Cu-(Ag, B)-Gd metallic glasses, namely, Mg65Cu25-xAgxGd10 (x = 0, 3, 10 at %) and Mg65Cu22B3Gd10 is evaluated in terming of the thermomechanical parameters, viscous flow behavior, deformability, and the deformation model. It is found the fragility for viscous deformation would increase with the replacement of Ag or B, leading to the negative factors for the micro-forming and nano-imprinting practices. This conclusion is supported by the many extracted parameters. Thus, even the B-additive Mg based BMG has much higher hardness and Ag-additive Mg based BMG has the larger maximum rod diameter, they are more difficult to be formed, appearing as a negative factor in the micro-forming or nano-imprinting industry. The base Mg65Cu25Gd10 alloy stilly appears to be more promising than the Ag or B-containing alloys when the viscous forming is under consideration.

The increasing demand for powerful miniaturized products for all industrial applications has prompted the industry to develop new and innovative manufacturing processes to fabricate miniature parts. One of the major challenges facing the industry is the dynamic market which requires continuous improvements in design and fabrication techniques. This means providing products with complex features while sustaining high functionality. As a result, microfabrication has gained a wide interest as the technology of the future, where tabletop machine systems exist. Microforming processes have the capability of achieving mass production while minimizing material waste. Microforming techniques can produce net-shape products with intricacy in fewer steps than most conventional microfabrication processes. Despite the potential advantages, the industrial utilization of microforming technology is limited. The deformation and failure modes of materials during microforming is not yet well understood and varies significantly from the behavior of materials in conventional forming operations. In order to advance the microforming technology and enable the effective fabrication of microparts, more studies on the deformation and failure of materials during microforming are needed. In this research work, an effort to advance the current status of microforming processes for technologies of modern day essentials, is presented. The main contribution from this research is the development of a novel method for characterizing thin sheet formability by introducing a micro-mechanical bulge-forming setup. Various aspects of analyzing microscale formability, in the form of limiting strains and applied forces, along with addressing the well known size effects on miniaturization, were considered through the newly developed method. A high temperature testing method of microformed thin sheets was also developed. The aim of high temperature microforming is to study the material behavior of microformed thin sheets at elevated temperatures and to explore the capability of the known enhancement in formability at the macroscale level. The focus of this work was to develop a better understanding of tool-sheet metal interactions in microforming applications. This new knowledge would provide a predictive capability that will eliminate the current time-consuming and empirical techniques that, and this in turn would be expected to significantly lower the overall manufacturing cost and improve product quality.

[pt] A simulação computacional tem sido utilizada como ferramenta para otimizar processos de cunhagem e suportar o desenvolvimento de novos produtos neste setor. Compreender as forças e tensões que ocorrem durante o processo possibilita atuar de forma eficaz nas características do projeto, visando a redução de defeitos no produto e/ou o prolongamento da vida útil das ferramentas. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar a influência das características do relevo de uma medalha, no que se refere a sua geometria e altura, nas forças requeridas para a execução do processo e nas tensões geradas durante a cunhagem. Para isso, foi criado um modelo computacional 3D de uma medalha de cuproníquel, validado por meio de comparação com dados experimentais de cunhagem. Os resultados demonstram que a metodologia experimental aplicada e o modelo desenvolvido neste trabalho previram com sucesso o fluxo de material de acordo com a força de cunhagem aplicada. Simulações adicionais revelaram que a geometria e a altura dos relevos influenciam diretamente nas forças e tensões. Por exemplo, um relevo com geometria triangular exigiu 66 por cento mais força para ser delineado em comparação com um relevo circular com volume e profundidade equivalentes. Além disso, foi demonstrado que reduzir a altura do relevo em 20 por cento poderia levar a uma redução de 16 por cento na força. Discussões foram feitas a respeito da existência de Regiões Críticas de Cunhagem (RCC) na arte da medalha, caracterizadas por relevos altos e intricados. Essas regiões serão as últimas a serem delineadas e ditarão as forças requeridas e o patamar de tensões no produto. / [en] Computational simulation has become an essential tool for optimizing the minting process and supporting the development of new products in this industry. Understanding the forces and stresses that occur in the process enables effective control over the project s characteristics, in order to reduce product defects and/or prolong the lifespan of tools. This research aimed to investigate the influence of the relief features of a medal, specifically its geometry and height, on the coining forces required and the tensions generated during the coining. To achieve this goal, a 3D computational model of a copper-nickel medal was created and validated through a comparison with experimental data. The results demonstrate that the applied experimental methodology and the developed model successfully predicted the material flow according to the applied coining force. Additional simulations revealed that the geometry and height of the reliefs directly influence the forces and tensions. For example, a relief with a triangular geometry required 66 percent more force to be outlined compared to a circular relief with equivalent volume and depth. Furthermore, it was shown that reducing the relief height by 20 percent may lead to a 16 percent decrease in coining force. Discussions were held regarding the existence of Critical Coining Regions (CCR) in medal art, characterized by high and intricate reliefs. These regions will be the last to be outlined and will dictate the required forces and stress levels in the final product.

Ce projet de thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre du FUI « MicroConnect », porté par la société Axon’Cable, dont l’objectif principal, est la conception et le développement d’un procédé de mise en forme automatisé, permettant d’élaborer un nouveau type de connecteurs twist-pin novateurs et très performants. Ces connecteurs, robustes, répondent aux exigences d’environnements sévères et trouvent leurs applications dans de nombreux domaines tels que l'électronique aéronautique, les équipements avioniques, les systèmes militaires... L’un des éléments essentiels des connecteurs est le contact, qui permet de faire transiter le courant électrique d’un système à un autre. Chaque connecteur peut compter des dizaines, voire des centaines de contacts.De par l’enchaînement des procédés utilisés pour concevoir ces contacts, les propriétés électriques et mécaniques initiales peuvent être modifiées. L’utilisation de la simulation numérique s’avère donc indispensable pour maitriser l’influence de ces procédés sur le produit final. La démarche adoptée dans ce travail a consisté à modéliser numériquement les différentes étapes de fabrication des contacts (pliage, soudage laser et sertissage) avec le logiciel Abaqus afin de déterminer les contraintes résiduelles issues de ces différents procédés de mise en forme. Les modèles sont validés en les confrontant à des investigations expérimentales réalisées. Pour finir, une optimisation du sertissage a été réalisée pour mettre en évidence les configurations géométriques des outillages permettant au produit développé de répondre aux essais d’arrachement prévus par les normes de validation imposées. / This PhD thesis is part of the FUI "MicroConnect" project, carried out by Axon'Cable Group, whose main objective is the design and development of an automated forming process to manufacture a new type of innovative and high-performance twist-pin connectors. These connectors are used in many fields such as aeronautical electronics, avionics, military systems because of their strength and their hability to be used in very demanding environments... An essential element of the connectors is the contact, as it makes the transfer of the electric current from a system to another. Each connector can have tens or even hundreds.Due to the sequence of the processes used to produce these contacts, their initial properties can be modified. The use of numerical simulation is therefore essential to master the influence of these processes on the final product. The approach adopted in this work consisted in modelling the different steps of the contact fabrication (bending, laser welding and crimping) on the Abaqus software in order to determine the residual stresses resulting from these operations. These models are validated by comparing them with experimental investigations carried out. Finally, an optimization of the crimping is done to highlight the geometrical configurations of the tools allowing the developed product to respond to the tearing tests provided by the validation standards.

Esta tese apresenta o estudo sobre microconformação, no caso microextrusão de quatro materiais diferentes, um aço SAE 1020, um aço inoxidável AISI 304, um alumínio AA6531 e um latão ASTM C34000. Para avaliar o efeito do tamanho da peça sobre o processo de microextrusão, dois tamanhos de corpos de prova foram utilizados, um com ∅ 4 mm e outro com ∅ 1 mm. Para cada tamanho de corpo de prova, três ângulos de extrusão foram utilizados, 30°, 45° e 60°. A primeira parte do trabalho se resume a caracterização dos materiais, com analise química e metalográfica. Após a caracterização dos materiais, as curvas de escoamento através do ensaio de compressão utilizando dois tamanhos de corpos de prova foram feitos em todos os materiais. O atrito foi determinado utilizando o ensaio de anel de atrito com três tamanhos diferentes de corpos de prova. As curvas de calibração foram feitas utilizando o software SIMUFACT. Os ensaios de extrusão foram feitos em uma máquina de ensaio universal com capacidade de captura de dados como força e deslocamento. Um modelo matemático foi utilizado para comparar a força de extrusão calculada com o medido no processo. Os resultados indicam que as curvas de escoamento de tamanho macro podem ser aplicadas a peças de tamanho meso. O atrito medido pelo ensaio de anel de atrito mostrou que os valores de atrito de tamanho micro tem um pequeno valor maior que para tamanho macro. Os valores de força de extrusão calculada e medido no ensaio para peças de tamanho meso tem boa aproximação com diferença de 3,2% para o aço inoxidável. Para peça de tamanho micro, a diferença entre o valor medido e o calculado aumenta chegando a diferença de 995% para o corpos de prova de aço comum. / This thesis presents the study about microforming, in this case microextrusion of the four different materials, an SAE 1020 steel, an AISI 304 stainless steel, an AA6531 aluminum and a C34000 brass. To evaluate the size effect about microextrusion process, two sizes of specimens were used, with a ∅ 4 mm and another with ∅ 1 mm. For each size of specimen, three extrusion angles were used, 30 °, 45 ° and 60 °. The first part of the work was to materials characterizations with chemical and metallographic analysis. Following the materials characterization, the flow stress curves was made using the compression test with two sizes of specimens. The friction was determined using the friction ring test with the three different size. Calibration curves were performed using the software SIMUFACT . The extrusion tests were performed in a universal testing machine capable of capturing such as force and displacement data. A mathematical model was used to compare the extrusion force it was calculated and the force measured in microextrusion. The results indicate that the flow stress curves of macro size can be applied to meso sizes. The ring friction test indicate that the friction values of the micro size has a small value greater than macro size. The extrusion force calculated and measured in the test to meso size has good approximation with a difference of 3.2% in the stainless steel. To pieces of the micro size, the difference between the measured and calculated force increases 995% for the samples of SAE 1020 steel.

Esta tese apresenta o estudo sobre microconformação, no caso microextrusão de quatro materiais diferentes, um aço SAE 1020, um aço inoxidável AISI 304, um alumínio AA6531 e um latão ASTM C34000. Para avaliar o efeito do tamanho da peça sobre o processo de microextrusão, dois tamanhos de corpos de prova foram utilizados, um com ∅ 4 mm e outro com ∅ 1 mm. Para cada tamanho de corpo de prova, três ângulos de extrusão foram utilizados, 30°, 45° e 60°. A primeira parte do trabalho se resume a caracterização dos materiais, com analise química e metalográfica. Após a caracterização dos materiais, as curvas de escoamento através do ensaio de compressão utilizando dois tamanhos de corpos de prova foram feitos em todos os materiais. O atrito foi determinado utilizando o ensaio de anel de atrito com três tamanhos diferentes de corpos de prova. As curvas de calibração foram feitas utilizando o software SIMUFACT. Os ensaios de extrusão foram feitos em uma máquina de ensaio universal com capacidade de captura de dados como força e deslocamento. Um modelo matemático foi utilizado para comparar a força de extrusão calculada com o medido no processo. Os resultados indicam que as curvas de escoamento de tamanho macro podem ser aplicadas a peças de tamanho meso. O atrito medido pelo ensaio de anel de atrito mostrou que os valores de atrito de tamanho micro tem um pequeno valor maior que para tamanho macro. Os valores de força de extrusão calculada e medido no ensaio para peças de tamanho meso tem boa aproximação com diferença de 3,2% para o aço inoxidável. Para peça de tamanho micro, a diferença entre o valor medido e o calculado aumenta chegando a diferença de 995% para o corpos de prova de aço comum. / This thesis presents the study about microforming, in this case microextrusion of the four different materials, an SAE 1020 steel, an AISI 304 stainless steel, an AA6531 aluminum and a C34000 brass. To evaluate the size effect about microextrusion process, two sizes of specimens were used, with a ∅ 4 mm and another with ∅ 1 mm. For each size of specimen, three extrusion angles were used, 30 °, 45 ° and 60 °. The first part of the work was to materials characterizations with chemical and metallographic analysis. Following the materials characterization, the flow stress curves was made using the compression test with two sizes of specimens. The friction was determined using the friction ring test with the three different size. Calibration curves were performed using the software SIMUFACT . The extrusion tests were performed in a universal testing machine capable of capturing such as force and displacement data. A mathematical model was used to compare the extrusion force it was calculated and the force measured in microextrusion. The results indicate that the flow stress curves of macro size can be applied to meso sizes. The ring friction test indicate that the friction values of the micro size has a small value greater than macro size. The extrusion force calculated and measured in the test to meso size has good approximation with a difference of 3.2% in the stainless steel. To pieces of the micro size, the difference between the measured and calculated force increases 995% for the samples of SAE 1020 steel.

Esta tese apresenta o estudo sobre microconformação, no caso microextrusão de quatro materiais diferentes, um aço SAE 1020, um aço inoxidável AISI 304, um alumínio AA6531 e um latão ASTM C34000. Para avaliar o efeito do tamanho da peça sobre o processo de microextrusão, dois tamanhos de corpos de prova foram utilizados, um com ∅ 4 mm e outro com ∅ 1 mm. Para cada tamanho de corpo de prova, três ângulos de extrusão foram utilizados, 30°, 45° e 60°. A primeira parte do trabalho se resume a caracterização dos materiais, com analise química e metalográfica. Após a caracterização dos materiais, as curvas de escoamento através do ensaio de compressão utilizando dois tamanhos de corpos de prova foram feitos em todos os materiais. O atrito foi determinado utilizando o ensaio de anel de atrito com três tamanhos diferentes de corpos de prova. As curvas de calibração foram feitas utilizando o software SIMUFACT. Os ensaios de extrusão foram feitos em uma máquina de ensaio universal com capacidade de captura de dados como força e deslocamento. Um modelo matemático foi utilizado para comparar a força de extrusão calculada com o medido no processo. Os resultados indicam que as curvas de escoamento de tamanho macro podem ser aplicadas a peças de tamanho meso. O atrito medido pelo ensaio de anel de atrito mostrou que os valores de atrito de tamanho micro tem um pequeno valor maior que para tamanho macro. Os valores de força de extrusão calculada e medido no ensaio para peças de tamanho meso tem boa aproximação com diferença de 3,2% para o aço inoxidável. Para peça de tamanho micro, a diferença entre o valor medido e o calculado aumenta chegando a diferença de 995% para o corpos de prova de aço comum. / This thesis presents the study about microforming, in this case microextrusion of the four different materials, an SAE 1020 steel, an AISI 304 stainless steel, an AA6531 aluminum and a C34000 brass. To evaluate the size effect about microextrusion process, two sizes of specimens were used, with a ∅ 4 mm and another with ∅ 1 mm. For each size of specimen, three extrusion angles were used, 30 °, 45 ° and 60 °. The first part of the work was to materials characterizations with chemical and metallographic analysis. Following the materials characterization, the flow stress curves was made using the compression test with two sizes of specimens. The friction was determined using the friction ring test with the three different size. Calibration curves were performed using the software SIMUFACT . The extrusion tests were performed in a universal testing machine capable of capturing such as force and displacement data. A mathematical model was used to compare the extrusion force it was calculated and the force measured in microextrusion. The results indicate that the flow stress curves of macro size can be applied to meso sizes. The ring friction test indicate that the friction values of the micro size has a small value greater than macro size. The extrusion force calculated and measured in the test to meso size has good approximation with a difference of 3.2% in the stainless steel. To pieces of the micro size, the difference between the measured and calculated force increases 995% for the samples of SAE 1020 steel.