ANALYSIS OF SURFACE CRACK ON FORWARD EXTRUDING BAR DURING AXISYMMETRIC CUP-BAR COMBINED EXTRUSION PROCESS

In this paper, the kinematically admissible velocity field with surface crack on forward extruding bar is put forward during the axisymmetric cup-bar combined extrusion process, in accordance with the results of model experiments.On the basis of velocity field, the necessary condition for surface crack formation on the forward extruding bar is derived, with the help of upper bound theorem and the minimum energy principle. Meanwhile, the relationships between surface crack formation and combination of reduction in area for the part of forward and backward extursions relative residual thickness of billet (T/R0),frictional factor (m) or relative land length of ram and chamber are calculated during the extrusion process. Therefore, whether the surface crack on forward exturding bar occurs can be predicted before extruding the lower-plasticity metals for axisymmetric cup-bar combined extrusion process.The analytical results agree very well with experimental results of aluminium alloy LY12 (ASTM 2024) and LC4 (ASTM 7075).

Use of a Laser/TIG Combination for Surface Modification of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

The surface modification of materials such as Ti-6Al-4V is necessary to improve their wear resistant properties for use in tribological applications. In this paper it is shown that a laser with low power and tungsten inert gas (TIG) can be combined together for surface modification of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, and when performed in a controlled atmosphere of pure nitrogen or a mixture of nitrogen and argon, can produce a wear-resistant surface alloy. Compared with laser processing, a cheaper surface modification process has been developed involving a shorter processing time, which is free of stringent requirements such as a vacuum system.

Improving the high cycle fatigue property of Ti6Al4V ELI alloy by optimizing the surface integrity through electric pulse combined with ultrasonic surface rolling process

To improve the surface integrity and high cycle fatigue property of Ti6Al4V ELI alloy,the electric pulse has been introduced into the ultrasonic surface rolling process(USRP),which is called electric pulse-assisted ultrasonic surface rolling process(EUSRP).With the help of“electroplasticity”of the electric pulse,the thickness of the surface gradient deformation layer was about three times of the USRP specimens by adjusting the pulse current level.However,the surface hardness decreases due to the continuous effect of the pulse current and the“skin effect”during treatment.It is worth noting that the higher the applied pulse current,the more severe the softening.This paradox causes the fatigue performance of EUSRP specimens lower than that of USRP specimens.To break this paradox,the EUSRP treatment is followed by a USRP treatment.The EUSRP-2(with a pulse current of 200 A)+USRP specimens exhibit excellent surface hardness,a gradient deformation layer thickness of about 400μm,low surface roughness and high compressive residual compressive stress.Besides,the hardening mechanisms of the different surface strengthening specimens have been quantitatively analyzed in combination with microstructure analysis.The fatigue life of Ti6Al4V ELI alloy can be improved by about 25 times at 780 MPa using the EUSRP-2+USRP treatment,the main reason for the highest fatigue life is the deepest surface gradient layer and the deepest crack initiation site.The fatigue limit of the EUSRP-2+USRP specimens is not the highest because too much surface hardening causes compressive residual stress relaxation during cycling and the beneficial effect of compressive residual stress is eliminated.