Erichsen ball indentation

Erichsen ball indentation is a test method used in material testing and quality control to evaluate the formability of sheet metal and other thin materials. Named after the German engineer Emil Erichsen, this method is frequently used in the automotive and sheet metal processing industries.

In Erichsen ball indentation, a circular punch with a convex ball at its end is used to press a defined indentation into the material to be tested. The material is pulled over a predetermined length while the ball slowly penetrates the material. The resulting ball indentation is measured and serves as an indicator of the deformability and formability of the material.

This test method provides important information about the ability of a material to deform under load without breaking or cracking. It is used to assess the suitability of sheet metal for certain applications, such as the manufacture of body parts and other formed parts in the automotive industry.

The results of Erichsen ball indentation can be used to optimize the process parameters in sheet metal forming and improve the quality of the manufactured parts. In addition, this test method makes it possible to monitor material quality in the production process, thus helping to ensure product conformity and avoid rejects.