Structure uniformity and limits of grain refinement of high purity aluminum during multi-directional forging process at room temperature

The effect of forging passes on the refinement of high purity aluminum during multi-forging was investigated. The attention was focused on the structure uniformity due to deformation uniformity and the grain refinement limitation with very high strains. The results show that the fine grain zone in the center of sample expands gradually with the increase of forging passes. When the forging passes reach 6, an X-shape fine grain zone is initially formed. With a further increase of the passes, this X-shape zone tends to spread the whole sample. Limitation in the structural refinement is observed with increasing strains during multi-forging process at the room temperature. The grains size in the center is refined to a certain size （110 μm as forging passes reach 12, and there is no further grain refinement in the center with increasing the forging passes to 24. However, the size of the coarse grains near the surface is continuously decreased with increasing the forging passes to 24.

Effect of near isothermal forging on the microstructure of Ti_3Al/TC11 welding interface

The as-forged Ti3Al-based alloy and TC11 titanium alloy were welded by electron beams in vacuum, and then they were processed using near isothermal forging and gradient heat treatment. The experimental results show that the near isothermal forging processing parameters have little effect on the phase constitution of the weld. The weld consists of Ti2AlNb, MoNb, Nb3Al, and TiAl3 phases as well as the two main phases of α and α2. However, the near isothermal forging processing parameters have significant effect on the shape, size, and volume fraction of α and α2 phases of the welding interface. The sizes of the α and α2 phases increase as the strain rate decreases. Because the distortion energy of the lattice and the volume fraction of the grains occurring in dynamic recrystallization increase with an increase in deformation, the sizes of the α and α2 phases of the welding interface decrease.

Ductility enhancement of EW75 alloy by multi-directional forging

In this study,the Mg-7Gd-5Y-1Nd-0.5Zr alloy can reach a high ductility by the process of multi-directional forging,and the evolution of the microstructure,texture and the mechanical properties were discussed systematically.The results show that after the solutionized sample was multi-forged at 500℃,its grain size can be refined from 292 um to 58 um.As the forging temperature decreased,fine particles precipitated in the matrix.The volume fraction of the particles increased with the forging temperature decreasing,so the nucleation and growth of crystallization were strongly restricted.There was no recrystallization as the forging temperature fell to 410℃,and the severe deformed grains distributed as streamlines perpendicular to the final compression axis.The texture intensity decreased with increasing forging passes.The sample with best ductility was obtained after compressed at 470℃,with an elongation to failure of 21%at room temperature,which is increased by 200%,in comparison with that of the samples in solutionized condition.EBSD results revealed that the mean grain size was 15 um.Refined grains as well as the weakened texture were the key factors to its high ductility.

Experimental Investigation and Numerical Simulation of the Grain Size Evolution during Isothermal Forging of a TC6 Alloy

Hot compression was conducted at a Thermecmaster-Z simulator, at deformation temperatures of 800-1040℃, with strain rates of 0.001-50 s-1 and height reduction of 50%. Grain size of the prior α phase was measured with a Leica LABOR-LUX12MFS/ST microscope to which QUANTIMET 500 software for image analysis for quantitative metallography was linked. According to the present experimental data, a constitutive relationship for a TC6 alloy and a model for grain size of the prior a phase were established based on the Arrhenius' equation and the Yada's equation, respectively. By finite element (FE) simulation, deformation distribution was determined for isothermal forging of a TC6 aerofoil blade at temperatures of 860-940℃ and hammer velocities of 9-3000.0 mm/min. Meanwhile, the grain size of the prior α phase is simulated during isothermal forging of the TC6 aerofoil blade, by combining FE outputs with the present grain size model. The present results illustrate the grain size and its distribution in the prior α phase during the isothermal forging of the TC6 aerofoil blade. The simulated results show that the height reduction, deformation temperature, and hammer velocity have significant effects on distribution of the equivalent strain and the grain size of the prior α phase.

Isothermal forging process design for spray-formed FGH95 superalloy turbine disk based on numerical simulation

Based on the experimental data from hot compression tests on Gleeble 1500 thermal simulator, the revised constitutive equations of spray-formed FGH95 superalloy considering the effect of strain on the material constants were established. The average absolute relative error （AARE） was employed to verify the validity of the constitutive equation, and the value of AARE is 3.85 %. Subsequently, the revised constitutive equations were successfully used to simulate and analyze the deformation behavior, stress distribution, forming loads and temperature distribution in both dies and billet during the isothermal forging process of turbine disk of large dimension （about 400 mm in diameter） by the means of finite element method （FEM）. Moreover, the optimum process parameters are 1,120 ℃ of forging temperature and 0.01 s^-1 of strain rate for the spray-formed FGH95 superalloy turbine disk.

Microstructure,texture evolution and yield strength symmetry improvement of as-extruded ZK60 Mg alloy via multi-directional impact forging

Multi-direction impact forging(MDIF)was applied to the as-extruded ZK60 Mg alloy,and the microstructure,texture evolution and yield strength symmetry were investigated in the current study.The results showed that the average grain size of forged piece was greatly refined to 5.3μm after 120 forging passes,which was ascribed to the segmenting effect of{10–12}twins and the subsequent multiple rounds of dynamic recrystallization(DRX).A great deal of{10–12}twins were activated at the beginning of MDIF process,which played an important role in grain refinement.With forging proceeding,continuous and discontinuous DRX were successively activated,resulting in the fully DRXed microstructure.Meanwhile,the forged piece exhibited a unique four-peak texture,and the initial<10-10>//ED fiber texture component gradually evolved into multiple texture components composed of<0001>//FFD(first forging direction)and<11–20>//FFD texture.The special strain path was the key to the formation of the unique four-peak texture.The{10–12}twinning and basal slip were two dominant factors to the evolution of texture during MDIF process.Grain strengthening and dislocation strengthening were two main strengthening mechanisms of the forged piece.Besides,the symmetry of yield strength was greatly improved by MDIF process.

A phenomenological constitutive equation for Rene 95 PM alloy and its application to isothermal forging process of turbine disk

The flow behavior of Rene 95 PM alloy was studied from 1050 to 1150 deg Cwith strain rate of 1 X 10^(-3), 1 X 10^(-2), 1 X 10^(-1) and 1 s^(-1). At a given temperature andstrain rate, flow curves exhibit a peak followed by flow softening up to a steady state. Moreover,at constant strain, flow stress increases with increasing strain rate and decreasing temperature. Anequation relating hyperbolic sine of flow stress to hot working parameters, such as strain, strainrate and temperature, was established by using multiple nonlinear regression method. A very goodagreement was found between predicted and experimental flow stress in all the strain rangeinvestigated. Application of the constitutive equation in predicting forming loads and flow behaviorand temperature distribution in both upper and lower dies in an isothermal forging process ofturbine disk of large dimension (about 630 mm) by means of a finite element code was systematicallyanalyzed.

Analysis of isothermal forging process and mechanical properties of complex aluminum forging for aviation

Large complex 7A85 aluminum wing-body joint was forged employing isothermal forging process and its mechanical properties were studied.The tensile strength after forging is up to 587.5 MPa in longitudinal direction,15% higher than that using free forging.Moreover,the tensile strength of the forging is almost the same in three directions.Isothermal forging also performs well on overall fracture toughness,with a maximum value of 39.8 MPa·m1/2,and that of short transverse direction all reaches 36 MPa·m1/2 and above,with a maximum relative error of only 3.6%.The results indicate that the isothermal forging leads to better performance as well as higher uniformity in mechanical properties.

Experimental study and numerical simulation of isothermal closed die forging for aluminium alloy rotor

The closed die forging(or fully-enclosed die forging) method was employed to form a rotor instead of the conventional machining method. A combined female die was designed so that the rotor could be released easily from the female die after forging. In order to improve the metal flow ability, the isothermal forming technique was introduced to the closed die forging process. On the basis of the rigid-viscoplastic FEM principle, the DEFORM 3D software package was employed to simulate the forming process. The simulation results illustrate that the deformation of different part of the billet is not the same. The material near the entrance of the die cavity is deformed greatly whose strain rate and strain are both large, while the deformation of the material at the billet center is much smaller.

Effect of Isothermal Forging on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-8Gd-3Y-0.5Zr Alloy

Aiming at the problems of poor plastic forming ability,narrow forging temperature range,and strain rate sensitivity of rare earth magnesium alloys,a study on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-8Gd-3Y-0.5Zr alloy with different isothermal forging processes is carried out.The microstructure and properties of the alloy in the as-cast,isothermal forged,and post-aging states after forging are studied with optical microscope(OM),scanning electron microscope(SEM),and tensile testing.The results show that significant dynamic recrystallization occurs during the isothermal forging process,a fine equiaxed grain structure is formed,and the mechanical properties of the alloy are greatly improved.When the isothermal forging temperature is 460℃ and the strain rate is 0.02 s^(-1),the alloy structure performance is the best,the room temperature tensile yield strength(TYS)is 218 MPa,the ultimate tensile strength(UTS)is 299 MPa,and the fracture elongation(FE)is 19.2%.When the alloy is post-forging artificial aged,theα-Mg matrix is dispersed,the Mg_5(Gd,Y)phase is precipitated,the UTS of the alloy is increased to 392 MPa,and the FE is reduced to 12.0%.

ISOTHERMAL PRECISION FORGING PROCESS OF ALUMINUM ALLOY CYLINDRICAL HOUSING

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Isothermal forging of γ-TiAl based alloys

The true stress—strain curves and processing window of Ti-47Al-2Cr-1Nb were set up through thermal physical simulation. A method for refinement of the as-cast+HIPped structure was submitted, which included two-step deformation with a short intermediate heat-treatment between double deformations. The break-down operation of the canned ingot was performed by the isothermal forging processing mentioned above. The refining mechanism is characterized as breaking and bending of the as-cast+HIPped lamellae, dynamic recrystallization, and static globularization. Thus, a uniform and refined billet microstructure is obtained for the final component by forging operation. The deformation of a model disc is accomplished by the subsequent single-step isothermal forging at 1 100(1 150 ℃) using a closed compression die.

Isothermal precision forging of Ti-6.5Al-3.5Mo-1.5Zr-0.3Si alloy impeller with twisted blades

Ti-6.5Al-3.5Mo-1.5Zr-0.3Si (TC11) alloy impeller is an important part in the airspace engine that serves under severe working conditions, and it requires excellent mechanical properties and high dimensional precision. However, the integral titanium alloy impeller is difficult to precisely forge because of its complex shape and poor formability. In order to develop optimum forging process of this kind of complex parts, the deformation characteristics of TC11 alloy under isothermal compressing conditions were studied. Furthermore, an alternative material, namely pure lead, was selected to model the forming process of the impeller and investigate metal flow during forging. Based on the research, local loading method was determined to forge the TC11 alloy impeller precisely under isothermal condition. The dimensional accuracy, mechanical properties and microscopic structure of the forged product satisfy operating requirements.

Effect of pre-induced twinning on microstructure and tensile ductility in GW92K magnesium alloy during multi-direction forging at decreasing temperature

Effect of pre-induced twinning on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of extruded Mg-9.26Gd-2.08Y-0.36Zr(GW92K)alloy have been investigated during multi-direction forging with large strains at decreasing temperature from 400℃ to 300℃.The results showed that,whether there pre-induced twinning existing in the initial microstructure by pre-deformation or not,a mixed microstructure of residual coarse grains and notably refined grains formed under both conditions,combing with some residual coarse grains with less deformation inside grains and lots of dispersed nano-precipitates distributed along refined grain boundaries.However,a significant improvement with the tensile ductility was obtained by the pre-induced twinning in the former alloy.It was suggested that,the pre-induced twinning largely contributed to the grain refinement and lead to an increase in the ratio of fine grain structure which would be responsible for the better properties.Furthermore,during subsequent forging deformation in the pre-deformed sample,the grain refinement mechanism by gradual grain orientation rotation around the surface section in residual coarse-grains was a little different from that by the macro-shear deformation in the as-extruded condition.

Microstructure and tensile properties of isothermally forged Ni–43Ti–4Al–2Nb–2Hf alloy

NiTi-Al-based alloys are promising high-tem- perature structural materials for aerospace and astronautics applications. A new NiTi-Al-based alloy Ni--43Ti-4AI- 2Nb-2Hf （at%） was processed via isothermal forging. The microstructure and mechanical properties at room temperature and high temperature were investigated through scanning electron microscope （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, and tensile tests. Results show that the micro- structure of as-forged Ni-43Ti--4AI-2Nb-2Hf alloy con- sists of NiTi matrix, Ti2Ni phase, and Hf-rich phase. The simultaneous addition of Nb and Hf, which have strong affinities for Ti sites, promotes the precipitation of Hf-rich phases along the grain boundaries. The tensile strengths of Ni-43Ti-4A1-2Nb-2Hf alloy are dramatically increased compared with the ternary Ni-46Ti-4A1 alloy. At room temperature and 650℃, the yield stress of Ni--43Ti-4Al- 2Nb-2Hf alloy reaches 1,070 and 610 MPa, respectively, which are 30 % and 150 % higher than those of Ni--46Ti- 4Al alloy. The improved tensile property results from the solid solution strengthening by Nb and Hf, as well as the dispersion hardening of the Ti2Ni and Hf-rich phases.

Investigation of dry sliding wear properties of multi-directional forged Mg-Zn alloys

Effect of multi-directional forging(MDF)on wear properties of Mg-Zn alloys(with 2,4,and 6wt%Zn)is investigated.Dry sliding wear test was performed using pin on disk machine on MDF processed and homogenized samples.Wear behavior of samples was analyzed at loads of ION and 20 N,with sliding distances of 2000m and 4000m,at a sliding velocity of 3m/s.Microstructures of worn samples were observed under scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS),and x-ray diffraction(XRD)and the results were analyzed.Mechanical properties were evaluated using microhardness test.After 5 passes of MDF,the average grain size was found to be 30±4p m,22±3 pm,and 18±3 pm,in Mg-2%Zn,Mg-4%Zn,and Mg-6%Zn alloys,respectively,with significant improvement in hardness in all cases.Wear resistance was improved after MDF processing,as well as,with increment in Zn content in Mg alloy.However,it decreased when the load and the sliding distance increased.Worn surface exhibited ploughing,delamination,plastic deformation,and wear debris along sliding direction,and abrasive wear was found to be the main mechanism.

Optimization of TC11 alloy forging parameters using processing maps

Isothermal compression of TC11 alloy at the deformation temperatures ranging from 1023 to 1323 K with an interval of 20 K, the strain rates of 0.001, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 s-1, and the height reductions of 50% and 70% was conducted on a Gleeble-1500D thermomechanical simulator. According to the experimental results, the isothermal compression and the processing maps of TC11 alloy at different strains were drawn by using the dynamic material model （DMM）. Based on the processing maps, the proper forging parameters, including a combination of defor-mation temperature and strain rate, vary with the strain in different phases of TC11 alloy.

Effects of non-isothermal annealing on microstructure and mechanical properties of severely deformed aluminum samples:Modeling and experiment

In order to investigate the evolution of microstructure and flow stress during non-isothermal annealing,aluminum samples were subjected to strain magnitudes of 1, 2 and 3 by performing 2, 4 and 6 passes of multi-directional forging. Then, the samples were non-isothermally annealed up to 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 ℃. The evolution of dislocation density and flow stress was studied via modeling of deformation and annealing stages. It was found that 2, 4 and 6 passes multi-directionally forged samples show thermal stability up to temperatures of 250, 250 and 300 ℃, respectively. Modeling results and experimental data were compared and a reasonable agreement was observed. It was noticed that 2 and 4 passes multi-directionally forged samples annealed non-isothermally up to 350 ℃ have a lower experimental flow stress in comparison with the flow stress achieved from the model.The underlying reason is that the proposed non-isothermal annealing model is based only on the intragranular dislocation density evolution, which only takes into account recovery and recrystallization phenomena. However, at 350℃ grain growth takes place in addition to recovery and recrystallization,which is the source of discrepancy between the modeling and experimental flow stress.

Precision forging technologies for magnesium alloy bracket and wheel

Fundamental investigations on precision forging technology of magnesium alloys were studied.As-cast billet prestraining and a new concept of hollow billet were proposed in order to reduce the maximum forming load.A schcme of isothermal forming and the use of combined female dies were adopted,which can improve the die filling capacity and ensure the manufacture of high quality forgings.By means of the developed technique,AZ80 alloy wheel and AZ31 alloy bracket were produced successfully at suitable process parameters and applied in the automotive industries.The results show that the hot compression of AZ80 magnesium alloy has the peak flow stresses of pre-strained alloy with finer grain,which are lower by 20%than those of as-cast alloy under the same deformation conditions.The forming load is related to contact area and average positive stress on interface during forging process.

Defect analysis of complex-shape aluminum alloy forging

The isothermal precision forging was applied for the purpose of forming aluminum alloy with complex shape. The complexity of forging is easy to lead to the occurrence of the defects, such as underfilling, folding, metal flow lines disturbance and fibre breaking. The reasons for the defects were analyzed on the basis of experiments and finite element method(FEM). The results show that the size of flash gutter bridge, the lubricating condition and the deformation process are the main factors influencing the filling qualities of complex-shape aluminum alloy forging. The folding defect is mainly caused by different velocities of filling cavities, fast flow of much metal in one direction and confluence of two or multi metal strands. Improper metal distribution in different regions can cause the flow lines disturbance and fast metal flow in one direction is also a cause of the flow lines disturbance. According to the reasons, some measures were taken to improve the quality of the forged parts.These studies can contribute to offering some experiences in making process project and optimizing the process parameters for forging complex-shape aviation products.