Force Analysis during cold pilgering process for Zircaloy tube by both experiments and 3D FE simulation

Abstract

In order to know the force evolution during the cold pilgering process for Zircaloy-4 tube, rolling forces and axial forces were investigated by both experimental and finite element methods. The material behavior of the Zircaloy-4 tube used anisotropy yield function Hill48 and hardening law which can describe the deformation after necking. It can be concluded that the simulation results coincided with those from experiments. Based on the verificated FE model, the effect of friction coefficient, feed rate and rolling speed on the rolling force and axial forces were studied. From the results, friction coefficients have less effect on the rolling force, but play an important role on the axial forces of tube and mandrel. There is an positive correlation between the feed rate with the forces. With the increase of the feed rate, the forces are enhanced. While the higher is the rolling speed, the lower are the rolling force and axial forces because of the temperature-effect.