Influence of plastic anisotropy on the mechanical behavior of clinched joint of different coated thin steel sheets

This work describes an experimental and numerical study of the TOX®- clinching process and its mechanical strength due to different surface conditions (blank, electro galvanized, corrosion protection primer (CPP) coated). The main purpose of using different types of surface conditions is to analyze their influences on the geometry and mechanical strength of the clinched joint. Finite element analysis (ABAQUSExplicit) is used to model the clinching process as well as the subsequent loading of the joint in the shear and cross tension test. The influence of the plastic anisotropy of the material is analyzed by evaluation of the punch force-displacement curve and the strength of clinched joint under these loading conditions.