Analysis of Material Behaviour in Experimental and Simulative Setup of Joining by Forming of Aluminium Alloy and High Strength Steel with Shear-Clinching Technology

In transportation sector the reduction of moving masses without the decrease of safety parameters is a key factor for future economic success. One possible approach for this is the use of different metallic materials in composite construction. Therefore, it is essential to establish a reliable component connection by means of suitable and cost-effective joining technologies. Mechanical joining technologies such as self-piercing riveting and mechanical clinching have proven to be effective methods for joining lightweight materials like aluminium and ductile steels. As these technologies require formability or pre-holing of the joining partners, the field of application is limited by the mechanical properties of the joining partners. Great potential for joining hot stamped steels, which have a very low elongation at fracture and therefore a low formability, offers the shear-clinching technology. For a systematic development of the shear-clinching technology, detailed investigations of the process are required. This paper presents an analysis of the material behaviour during the shear-clinching process and the reference process – clinching with pre-hole.