Grain Size Effect during Hot Ring Rolling Process Using Nickel-Based Superalloy

Abstract

The components of aircraft engines require high strength materials at high temperatures and corrosion. The nickel-based superalloys possess mechanical properties that are directly dependent on grain size; the aeronautical components with coarse grain size are usually employed to minimize creep deformation, while those with finer grain size have the mission to increase the fatigue resistance. One of the advantages of the ring rolling process is the favorable grain flow and good surface quality of the rolled rings. This paper shows the numerical simulation of the hot ring rolling process, where two initial grain sizes are used, one of 20 μm, this being the fine grain size, and 80 μm for analysis of coarse grain size. Both simulations are conducted at an initial temperature of 1100 ° C. At the conclusion of the process, both simulations presented a refinement in grain size, proving the efficiency of rolling.