Analysis of the neutral layer offset of bimetal composite plate in the straightening process using boundary element subfield method

In the classical straightening theory, it supposes that the geometric central layer and stress neutral layer are a coincidence. However, there is some offset in fact. This is one of the reasons why straightening force is inaccurate in the straightening process. In this paper, the boundary element subfield method is used to analyze the three-dimension elastic–plastic deformation of a bimetal composite plate in the straightening process. At first, the boundary integral equation of a bimetal composite plate is established by the boundary element subfield method. Then, through analyzing the deformation in the rolled piece straightening, it shows that the geometric central layer does not coincide with the neutral layer. The formula of the neutral layer offset is established and the change law is discussed. At the same time, the influence of the neutral layer offset on the precision of straightening force is researched. From the numerical analysis, it shows that the error of the straightening force reaches to 5% whether considering the neutral layer offset. This demonstrates that the neutral layer offset is one of the important factors to give the straightening force inaccurately. It is ought to consider the neutral layer offset when the model of straightening force is established.