Evidence-based uncertainty quantification for bending properties of bimetal composites

Bimetal or laminated metal composites consisting of several metal or alloy layers can efficiently absorb the advantageous properties of each metal when utilised as raw materials for future remanufacturing. Their mechanical response characteristics and failure modes face uncertain challenges during the processing owing to the existence of heterogenous interfacial transition zones between layers. This work aims to study the uncertainty quantification in bending processing of a novel bimetal composite as a result of uncertain interfacial zones using an efficient evidence-based reliability analysis method. An analytical model for bending characteristics of bimetal composite was first established based on the deterministic material properties of each component layer, and it was employed to quantitatively analyse the bending uncertainty properties of 2205 duplex stainless steel/AH36 carbon steel bimetal composite (2205/AH36 BC) considering the epistemic uncertainty in geometric dimensions and mechanical properties of component 2205 and AH36 layers. The variation ranges of tangential stress and bending moment along the thickness direction of composite during bending process were effectively estimated, and the confidence level of each possible in the corresponding upper and lower boundaries was given for the tangential stress at each position. The analysis results illustrated that the uncertainty quantification for bending deformation properties of bimetal composite can more comprehensively understand the mechanical behaviors of composite, and provide an effective guidance for the forming fabrication of bimetal composite structure.