Electrodynamics in deformable solids for electromagnetic forming

The behaviour of matter in an electromagnetic field may be considered as a very complex problem, involving not only electromagnetism but also mechanics and thermodynamics. The interaction field-matter is not simple even for a rigid body, and it becomes more complicated for a deforming body, as long as all the physical quantities that characterize the process are changing both in time and space and also in their interdependence. It is well known that conducting bodies can move and/or can be deformed when they are subjected to strong electromagnetic fields. One of the practical applications of these phenomena is the electromagnetic forming, i.e. shaping objects using strong electromagnetic fields. The electromagnetic forming is a high-velocity forming procedure and it has many advantages that make it an attractive alternative to conventional forming systems or even to other high-velocity forming systems. Since the early 20-th century this has been used at an industrial level, though without a well developed theory about all the phenomena involved in the process. In this thesis, an analytical model of the electromagnetic forming process performed for shaping of hollow circular cylindrical objects, has been developed. The model applies both for electromagnetic compression and expansion of hollow circular cylindrical objects. Additionally, for expansion, an experimental model has been developed to design a set-up for an experimental investigation of electromagnetic forming of steel beverage cans, which was used for verification of the various aspects of the developed analytical model.