Abstract:An elastoplastic finite element method (FEM) was used to study the deforming mechanisms of an aluminum tube drawn without a mandrel from a circular to a rectangular crosssection. The simplified dynamics model and FE model of the nonmandrel drawing process were established based on the FEM software deform3D and simulations subsequently performed. Based on the simulation results, the influence of different semidie angles on the drawing load was summarized, and the proper values were found. As for the blank instability during the drawing process, the tangential stress distribution rule along the rectangle sides was acquired. The drawing die sizing section then was modified with a camber angle of 178° to eliminate instability. The touch boundary and touchstress distribution during drawing process also were analyzed. The aluminum tube produced by the optimized drawing die possesses eligible dimensions and smooth inner surfaces.