This paper presents the design of cold-formed rounded connections between a tube and a connecting block and the analysis of test results that were carried out with six fabricated samples. The joints manufactured on a specially designed prototype station were made by forming tools that were adjusted to connecting elements regarding the diameter and the shape. All of the samples prepared for this study were of the same diameters relating to the diameter of a hole in a connecting block and the outer diameter of a pipe flange. However, they were different concerning the height of the connecting block flange. The article presents features of joints that were manufactured with a designed forming tool on the prototype station. The achieved connections were examined in destructive testing (Micrography, Tensile Strength Test) and in non-destructive testing (Leakage Test). The research project aims were to state the differences in energy consumption of made connections and extend the concept of cold-formed rounded connections. Furthermore, this article presents the effects of FEA simulation of the cold-formed joint based on the results of destructive and non-destructive tests.
Keywords: bent joints; clinched joint; clinching; cold-formed joints; fixed joints; formed joints; inseparable tight joints; joint characterization and testing; joint strength; prototype station.