3D coupled thermo‐mechanical FE modelling and simulation of radial‐axial ring rolling

Abstract

Radial‐axial ring rolling is an advanced plastic forming technique which is used to manufacture large scale seamless rings. Because the radial‐axial ring rolling process is a large scale and complex metal forming process with multifactorial coupling effects, it is difficult and costly to accurately analyse the process by analytical or experimental methods. In this paper, a valid 3D coupled thermo‐mechanical FE model of radial‐axial ring rolling is explored using the dynamic explicit code ABAQUS/Explicit, and the main features of the FE model are described. Then, based on the valid 3D FE model, the distribution and evolution laws of the strain and temperature are investigated. The results obtained provide useful guidelines for further investigation of the mechanism of formation of radial‐axial ring rolling.

Keywords:

• Radial‐axial ring rolling
• Coupled thermo‐mechanical
• FE simulation

The authors would like to thank the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (No. 2009AA04Z112) and the National Natural Science Foundation for Young Scientists of China (No. 50705071) for the support given to the research.