Bulge forming of tubes with axial compressive force proportional to the hydraulic pressure

A device for applying an axial compressive force proportional to the internal hydraulic pressure in tube bulging was designed, constructed and tested. Using this device, copper tubes of diameter 25.4 mm were bulged. By varying the ratio of the axial compressive force to the hydraulic pressure, the largest ratio for maximum bulging was obtained. At lower values of the ratio, fracture occurred at lower circumferential expansions, whereas at higher values buckling of the tube resulted. The hydraulic pressure and the maximum strains at bursting were measured. Bulging in three stages, with interstage annealing, a circumferential expansion to a diameter of 48 mm was obtained. The maximum bulging possible in each stage was determined together with the hydraulic pressures necessary using the optimum ratio of axial load to the internal pressure. Meridional, circumferential, and thickness strains measured in each stage are presented.