Improvement of formability and surface finish of cupro-nickel (70/30) alloy during single point incremental forming process using chrome steel laser ablated ball

Cupro-nickel alloy of 70/30 grade was experimented for its formability by SPIF tests, namely straight groove test and wall angle test using a ball attached tool, to emphasize the concern on formability and surface roughness. Two different types of ball were used, one ball was used in polished form and another one was surface-textured using Nd-Yag laser. The cupro-nickel alloy has excellent corrosion resistance and popularly used in marine environments. In this research, an attempt has been made to study the formability when using Chrome steel laser ablated ball. The results concluded that Chrome steel laser ablated ball with oil as lubrication has avoided the occurrence galling and at the same time improved the formability. When experimenting with chrome steel polished ball, the tool and sheet contact is high and the lubricating oil will be less and it is causing the sheet to get heated. The dimples on the ball's surface made by the laser retain more lubricating oil and thereby decreasing the friction which eventually leads to the delayed fracture. It is found that the formability was increased by 16% in straight groove test, 4.8% for wall angle test and surface roughness values were decreased by 1.4%.