Forced convection rheoforming process for preparation of 7075 aluminum alloy semisolid slurry and its numerical simulation

A self-developed forced convection rheoforming （FCR） machine for the preparation of light alloy semisolid slurry was introduced. The microstructure characteristics of 7075 aluminium alloy semisolid slurry at different stirring speeds prepared by the FCR process were analyzed. The experimental results suggest that with the increase of the stirring speed, the mean grain size of the semisolid decreases and the shape factor as well as the number of primary grains increase. Meanwhile, the preparation process of semisolid slurry was numerically simulated. The flow characteristics of the melt in the device and the effect of the stirring speed on temperature field and solid fraction of the melt were investigated. The simulated results show that during the preparation process of semisolid slurry, there is a complex convection within the FCR device that obviously changes the temperature field distribution and solid fraction of the melt. When the convection intensity increases, the scope of the undercooling gradient of the melt is reduced and temperature distribution is improved.

Gating system optimization of low pressure casting A356 aluminum alloy intake manifold based on numerical simulation

To eliminate the shrinkage porosity in low pressure casting of an A356 aluminum alloy intake manifold casting, numerical simulation on fi lling and solidifi cation processes of the casting was carried out using the ProCAST software. The gating system of the casting is optimized according to the simulation results. Results show that when the gating system consists of only one sprue, the fi lling of the molten metal is not stable; and the casting does not follow the sequence solidifi cation, and many shrinkage porosities are observed through the casting. After the gating system is improved by adding one runner and two in-gates, the fi lling time is prolonged from 4.0 s to 4.5 s, the fi lling of molten metal becomes stable, but this casting does not follow the sequence solidifi cation either. Some shrinkage porosity is also observed in the hot spots of the casting. When the gating system was further improved by adding risers and chill to the hot spots of the casting, the shrinkage porosity defects were eliminated completely. Finally, by using the optimized gating system the A356 aluminum alloy intake manifold casting with integrated shape and smooth surface as well as dense microstructure was successfully produced.

Effects of Loading Paths on Hydrodynamic Deep Drawing with Independent Radial Hydraulic Pressure of Aluminum Alloy Based on Numerical Simulation

In order to meet the forming demands for low plasticity materials and large height-diameter ratio parts, a new process of hydrodynamic deep drawing （HDD） with independent radial hydraulic pressure is proposed. To investigate the effects of loading paths on the HDD with independent radial hydraulic pressure, the forming process of 5A06 aluminum alloy cylindrical cup with a hemispherical bottom was studied by numerical simulation. By employing the dynamic explicit analytical software ETA/Dynaform based on LS-DYNA3D, the effects of loading paths on the sheet-thickness distribution and surface quality were analyzed. The corresponding relations of the radial hydraulic pressure loading paths and the part＇s strain status on the forming limit diagram （FLD） were also discussed. The results indicated that a sound match between liquid chamber pressure and independent radial hydraulic pressure could restrain the serious thinning at the hemisphere bottom and that through adjusting radial hydraulic pressure could reduce the radial tensile strain and change the strain paths. Therefore, the drawing limit of the aluminum cylindrical cup with a hemispherical bottom could be increased significantly.

Numerical simulation on rheo-diecasting mould filling of semi-solid key-shaped component

Based on the experimental data of apparent viscosity about semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy, the apparent viscosity model was developed and inserted into a commercial software Castsoft6.0, and a key-shaped component filling process was simulated. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental filling results, which indicates that the apparent viscosity model established is effective and available. The process parameters on the cavity filling of the key-shaped components have been optimized. The injection pressure should be more than 15 MPa, the slurry flowing velocity in the in-gate should be more than 1.73 m/s, and the slurry temperature should be over 585 ℃.

Numerical simulation on reho-diecasting mould filling of an automobile master brake cylinder

An apparent viscosity model of semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy has been developed and the software Castsofl6.0 coupled with the model has been used to simulate the mould filling of an automobile master brake cylinder with the semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy slurry. The simulation results are in agreement with the practical filling process, indicating that the apparent viscosity model is feasible and can be used to simulate the mould filling of the semisolid A356 aluminum alloy slurry and can be used to optimize the filling process and the design of dies. A higher injection pressure, a higher ingate flow velocity of the semi-solid slurry, and a higher slurry temperature are advantageous to the mould filling of the automobile master brake cylinder.

Numerical simulation for macrosegregation in direct-chill casting of 2024 aluminum alloy with an extended continuum mixture model

An extended continuum mixture model for macrosegregation is applied to predicting Cu and Mg segregation in large-size ingot of 2024 aluminum alloy during direct chill casting（DC）. A microsegregation model using the approximate phase diagram data was coupled with macroscopic transport equations for macrosegregation profiles. Then, the impacts of transport mechanisms on the formation of macrosegregation were discussed. It is found that copper and magnesium have a similar segregation configuration from the billet center to surface. Negative segregation is observed in the centerline and subsurface, whereas positive segregation is obtained in the surface and somewhat underestimated positive segregation in the middle radius. Further, the discrepancy between the predicted and experimental results was discussed in detail. The results show that the magnesium to some extent alleviates the copper segregation in ternary alloy, compared with that in binary alloy. The predicted results show good agreement with measured experimental data obtained from literatures.

Numerical simulation of friction stir butt-welding of 6061 aluminum alloy

A two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model was established to simulate the friction stir butt-welding of 6061 aluminum alloy. The dynamic mesh method was applied in this model to make the tool move forward and rotate in a manner similar to a real tool, and the calculated volumetric source of energy was loaded to establish a similar thermal environment to that used in the experiment. Besides, a small piece of zinc stock was embedded into the workpiece as a trace element. Temperature fields and vector plots were determined using a finite volume method, which was indirectly verified by traditional metallography. The simulation result indicated that the temperature distribution was asymmetric but had a similar tendency on the two sides of the welding line. The maximum temperature on the advancing side was approximately 10 K higher than that on the retreating side. Furthermore, the precise process of material flow behavior in combination with streamtraces was demonstrated by contour maps of the phases. Under the shearing force and forward extrusion pressure, material located in front of the tool tended to move along the tangent direction of the rotating tool. Notably, three whirlpools formed under a special pressure environment around the tool, resulting in a uniform composition distribution.

Numerical simulation on the rheo-diecasting of the semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy

The effect of injection pressure, piston velocity, and the forming temperature of semisolid slurry on the filling behavior of the semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy was investigated by simulation methods. The simulation results show that these processing parameters have an important effect on the filling behavior of the semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy. The slurry flows steadily in the cavity when the injection pressure, the piston velocity, and the forming temperature are low, but it is prone to turbulent flow when the injection pressure, the piston velocity, and the forming temperature are much higher. Therefore it is necessary to determine the appropriate processing parameters to get a steady flow of the slurry in the cavity.

Numerical Simulation of Warm Forming Behavior of High Strength Aluminum Alloy 7075

Numerical analysis is critically important to understanding the complex deformation mechanics that occur during sheet forming processes.It has been widely used in simulation of sheet metal forming processes at room temperature in the automotive industry.However,material at elevated temperature behaves more differently than at room temperature and specific material parameters and models need to be developed for the simulation of warm forming.Based on the experimental investigation of material behavior of high strength aluminum alloy 7075(AA7075),constitutive equations with strain rate sensitivity at 140,180 and 220 ℃ are developed.Anisotropic yield criterion Barlat 89 is used in the simulation.Warm forming of limit dome height tests and limit drawing ratio tests of AA7075 at 140,180 and 220℃are performed.Forming limit diagrams developed from experiment at several elevated temperatures in the previous study are used to predict the failure in the simulation results.Punch force and displacement predicted from simulation are compared with the experimental data.Simulation results agree with experimental results,so the developed material model can be used to accurately predict material behavior during isothermal warm forming of the AA7075-T6 alloy.

Numerical Simulation of Microporosity Evolution of Aluminum Alloy Castings

A mathematical model to calculate the size and distribution of microporosities was studied and coupled with a stochastic microstructure evolution model. The model incorporates various solidification phenomena such as grain structure evolution, solidification shrinkage, interdendritic fluid flow and formation and growth of pores during solidification processes. The nucleation and growth of grains were modeled with a cellular automaton method that utilizes the results from a macro scale modeling of the solidification process. Experiments were made to validate the proposed models. The calculated results of aluminum alloy castings agreed with the experimental measurements.

Numerical simulation on microstructural evolution during multipass hot-rolling of aluminum alloys

Numerical simulation on microstructural evolution during multipass hot rolling of aluminum alloys was performed by using DEFORM TM software and incorporating Zener Hollomon parameter Z . The distributions of equivalent stress, equivalent strain, equivalent strain rate and temperature, as well as the distribution of recrystallization fraction through the thickness of deformed specimen during multipass hot rolling of 5182 aluminum alloy, were all calculated. The results agree well with the metallographic examination of the deformed specimen on Gleeble 1500. [

Numerical simulation of aluminum alloy ladder parts with viscous pressure forming

Viscous pressure forming (VPF), a recently developed flexible die forming process that is suitable for difficult to form material, can obtain the better stress states of sheet blank during forming process in manufacturing complex shape parts. The process of manufacturing aluminum alloy ladder parts with VPF and solid metal punch was simulated by the FE software DEFORM. Under different blank holder pressure (BHP), the stress state, the strain state, the forming of small radius curved face and the distribution of thickness were analyzed. The simulation results show that, compared with solid metal punch forming, the sheet blank can flow into die cavity more easily with VPF due to the improvement of the stress states; the severe thickness reduction can be avoided, the sheet blank can contact the die perfectly and the parts have high dimensional accuracy.

Numerical simulation of continuous roll-casting process of aluminum alloy

In order to improve the strip quality of continuous roll-casting process (CRP) of aluminum alloy, the investigations of the flow behavior within the metal pool, the heat transfer condition between roll and strip, the pouring temperature of molten alloy, the roll-casting speed and the control of the position of solidification final point are important. The finite volume method was applied to the analysis of the continuous roll-casting process. A two-dimensional incompressible non-Newtonian fluid flow with heat transfer was considered, which was described by the continuity equation, the Navier-Stokes equation and the energy equation. With this mathematical model, the flow patterns, temperature fields and solid fraction distributions in the metal pool between two rolls were simulated. From the calculated results, the effects of technical parameters to the position of solidification final point are obtained. The simulated results show that the roll-casting speed and pouring temperature have an enormous effect on the temperature distribution and the position of solidification final point.

Numerical simulation and optimization of Al alloy cylinder body by low pressure die casting

Shrinkage defects can be formed easily at critical location during low pressure die casting (LPDC) of aluminum alloy cylinder body. It has harmful effect on the products. Mold filling and solidification process of a cylinder body was simulated by using of Z-CAST software. The casting method was improved based on the simulation results. In order to create effective feeding passage, the structure of casting was modified by changing the location of strengthening ribs at the bottom, without causing any adverse effect on the part's performance. Inserting copper billet at suitable location of the die is a valid way to create suitable solidification sequence that is beneficial to the feeding. Using these methods, the shrinkage defect was completely eliminated at the critical location.

Numerical and Experimental Study on Nugget Formation Process in Resistance Spot Welding of Aluminum Alloy

The weld nugget formation in the resistance spot welding(RSW) of aluminum alloy was investigated in the present study. The nugget formation process was directly observed by using a digital high-speed camera. Numerical simulation was also employed to investigate the nugget formation process. The results showed that for the RSW of two aluminum alloy sheets, a nugget was first formed in the workpiece/workpiece(W/W) interface and grew along the radial direction and axial direction of the sheets, and then it became a large elliptical nugget. For the RSW of three aluminum alloy sheets, two small nuggets were firstly formed in two W/W interfaces and grew along the axial direction and radial direction; finally they fused into one nugget. Besides, there existed a critical welding time, after which the nugget size remained nearly unchanged. This indicates that a long welding time is unnecessary for the RSW of aluminum alloy. In addition, the calculated nugget radius was compared with the experimental results, which showed that the simulation results agreed well with the experimental results.

Numerical and experimental study of phase transformation in resistance spot welding of 6082 aluminum alloy

Resistance spot welding（ RSW） is an efficient and convenient joining process for aluminum alloy sheet assembly. Because the RSW has the character of energy concentration and quick cooling rate, the microstructure transformation of the base metal can be confined in the least limit. The material properties and the welding parameters have significant effects on the quality of the nugget. To predict the microstracture evolution in the melted zone and the heat-affected zone, an electrical, thermal, metallurgical and mechanical coupled finite element model is described and applied to simulate the welding process of the 6082 aluminum alloy. Experimental tests are also carried out. The comparison between experimental and numerical results shows that the adopted model is effective enough to well interpret and predict some important phenomena in ierms of the phase transformation in spot welding of 6082 aluminum alloy.

Thixo-forging and simulation of complex parts of aluminum alloy AlSi7Mg

In order to investigate the formability of metal material in semisolid state, a series of experiments were carried out by thixo-forging the complex part of aluminum alloy AlSi7Mg. Through changing the upper punch, aluminum parts with different upper-cup dimensions can be successfully produced. The numerical simulation was conducted for investigating the forming limits of AlSi7Mg during thixo-forging. It is found that the simulation result is in good agreement with the experiment one.

Numerical simulation of temperature field in deep penetration laser welding of 5A06 aluminum cylinder

Deep penetration laser welding temperature field of 5A06 aluminum alloy canister structure was simulated using the surface-body combination heat source model by ANSYS, which was made up of Gauss surface heat source model and Gauss revolved body heat source model. Convection, radiation and conduction were all con,sidereal during the simulation process. The thermal cycle curves of the points both on the shell outer surface and in the seam thickness direction were calculated. Simulated results agreed well with the experiment results. It concluded that the surface-body combination heat source model was fit for the temperature field simulation of deep penetration laser welding of the aluminum alloy canister structure. This method was proved to be an efficient way to predict the shape and dimension of welded joint for deep penetration laser welding of the aluminum alloy canister structure.

Numerical analysis of temperature profile and weld dimensions in laser ＋ GMAW hybrid welding of aluminum alloy T-joint

The temperature fields in the transient state and weld dimensions in laser ＋ gas metal arc welding （GMAW） hybrid welding of aluminum alloy T-joint for different welding conditions were calculated using the developed heat source model, and the effect of welding speed on them was analyzed. The results show that the temperature field for the first weld pass only shows the feature of GMAW and the one for the second weld pass has the characteristics of both laser welding and GMAW. Welding speed can affect greatly weld dimensions and temperature distribution. When welding speed reaches 3.5 m/min, the fusion zones of two weld passes are separated and the maximum peak temperature of thermal cycle on the workpiece surface decreases largely.

Forming defects in aluminum alloy hot stamping of side-door impact beam

The forming defects, including thinning, rupture, wrinkling and springback, usually arising in producing a side-door impact beam, were investigated by trial and numerical simulation. A temperature-related constitutive model specific to the temperature range from 350 °C to 500 °C was established and used for the numerical simulation. The trial and numerical simulation were conducted to clarify the quantitative characteristics of forming defects and to analyze the effects of process parameters on the forming defects. Results show that the rupture situation is ameliorated and the springback is eliminated in the aluminum alloy hot stamping. The wrinkling severity decreases with increasing blank holder force (BHF), but the BHF greater than 15 kN causes the rupture at the deepest drawing position of workpiece. The forming defects are avoided with lubricant in the feasible ranges of process parameters: the BHF of 3 to 5 kN and the stamping speed of 50 to 200 mm/s.