Forging Technology in Titanium Metal Processing
Titanium metal materials are widely used in aerospace, medical, chemical and other fields due to their high strength, low density, good corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance. In the processing of titanium metal, forging is an important forming method. By applying external force to make the material plastically deform, it changes its size, shape and improves the material performance. This article will introduce the forging technology in titanium metal processing in detail, including different types of forging methods and their characteristics.
1. Classification of forging methods Free forging: Free forging is the most basic forging method. The blank is deformed freely between the upper and lower anvils. This method is suitable for producing forgings with simple shapes and low precision requirements, such as large gears and shafts. The advantages of free forging are flexible process and strong adaptability, but the material utilization rate is low and higher forging skills are required.
Die forging: Die forging is a method of forging the blank in the die. According to the opening and closing of the die, die forging can be divided into open die forging and closed die forging. Closed die forging has high material utilization and high dimensional accuracy of forgings due to the lack of flash, which is suitable for the production of large batches and complex shapes of forgings. The advantages of die forging are high production efficiency and good forging quality, but the die cost is high and requires regular maintenance. Extrusion: Extrusion is a method of placing the billet into an extrusion barrel, applying pressure to the billet through the die and extrusion rod, and extruding it from the die hole to form it. Extrusion is suitable for the production of long strips, pipes, profiles and other forgings. The advantages of extrusion are high material utilization and dense internal structure of forgings, but the equipment investment is large and the process is complicated. Roll forging and cross rolling: These two methods are mainly used to process slender materials, and the billet is continuously deformed by rotating rollers or rollers. The advantages of roll forging and cross rolling are high production efficiency, good material utilization, and are suitable for large-scale production.
Swing rolling, swing forging and ring rolling: These methods use rotating dies to partially or completely shape the blank. They are suitable for producing forgings with complex shapes and high precision requirements, such as gears, bearing rings, etc. These forging methods usually require precise die design and control to achieve high-quality products.
2. Key points of forging process
Choice of forging ratio: A reasonable forging ratio is crucial to improving the quality of forgings and reducing costs. Too small a forging ratio may lead to uneven internal structure of the forging and reduced performance; too large a forging ratio may increase the difficulty and cost of forging.
Heating temperature and holding time: Titanium metal needs to be heated before forging to improve its plasticity and reduce deformation resistance. The correct heating temperature and holding time can ensure uniform temperature inside the blank and avoid overheating or overburning.
Deformation amount and deformation speed: Reasonable deformation amount and deformation speed have an important influence on controlling the structure and performance of forgings. Excessive deformation may cause cracking or uneven deformation of forgings; too fast a deformation speed may cause residual stress inside the forgings.
Die design and maintenance: The design quality of the die directly affects the forming accuracy and surface quality of the forging. The die should have high strength and hardness to withstand the high temperature and high pressure during the forging process. At the same time, regular maintenance and overhaul of the die is also an important measure to ensure the quality of forgings.
The forging process of titanium metal materials is a complex and delicate process. By selecting appropriate forging methods, optimizing forging process parameters, designing reasonable dies, and strengthening process control, high-quality and high-performance titanium metal forgings can be produced. With the continuous advancement of science and technology and the continuous improvement of process technology, the forging process of titanium metal materials will play an important role in more fields.
