Application of three­dimensional numerical simulation to analysis of development of deformation zone at beginning of aluminium extrusion process

Abstract

Understanding the thermomechanical phenomena that occur during aluminium extrusion with respect to the variations of temperature, flow stress, strain, and strain rate is of importance for process optimisation. Conventional analytical methods are restricted to the steady state stage of the process and thus cannot provide an insight into the dynamic changes taking place during the initial stage. In the present work, three­dimensional simulations using the finite element method were carried out to analyse the development of the deformation zone at the die front and the temperature evolution, before the process attains the steady state. The analysis revealed that a change in friction factor at the billet/container interface from 0.3 to 0.9 enlarges the dead metal zone. However, its size appears unaffected by a change of die orifice shape from round to square at the same reduction ratio. The increase in friction results in an increase of initial extrusion load of about 6%.