An experimental analysis of upset forging of aluminium cylindrical billets considering the dissimilar frictional conditions at flat die surfaces

Abstract

Friction plays a major role in all bulk metal forming processes, except in a few isolated cases such as die-less wire drawings, etc. In upset cold forging, the existence of frictional constraints between the dies and the work-piece directly affect the plastic deformation of the latter. When a solid cylinder is compressed axially between the top and bottom platen, the work piece material in contact with their surfaces undergoes heterogeneous deformation resulting in “barrelling” of the cylinder. The friction at the faces of contact retards the plastic flow of metal on the surface and in its vicinity. A conical wedge of a relatively undeformed metal is formed which suffers high strain hardening and bulges out in the form of a barrel. This experimental work has been undertaken to study the bulging effect of aluminium solid cylinders, varying the frictional conditions at the flat die surfaces. Flat dies of different surface finish were produced by different machining processes like grinding, milling, electro-spark machining, and lathe turning and finishing with ‘0’ grade emery paper. Experiments were conducted for two aspect ratios. The radius of curvature of bulge was measured and found to conform to the calculated bulge using experimental data. The calculations are made with the assumption that the curvature of the bulge followed the form of a circular arc. A relationship was established between the various bulge parameters including new hoop strain, hydrostatic stress, geometrical shape factor, and stress ratio factor, considering the dissimilar frictional conditions.