Optimization of the hot stretch-bending process for TC4 titanium L-section profile

Abstract

Titanium alloys are used more and more in the field of aerospace because of their low weight and high strength. Compared with pure bending, stretch-bending can effectively reduce springback and improve forming accuracy, and is widely used in the forming of high-quality profile structural parts. In this study, based on the loading method of the arm-type stretch-bending machine, the hot stretch-bending process of the TC4 titanium alloy profile with L-shaped section was simulated by ABAQUS. The effects of profile temperature, tension, and section size on the stretch-bending results were analyzed, and the process parameters were optimized. The experimental verification was carried out on the self-designed hot stretch-bending test machine, and the relative deviation between the experiments and simulations is within 1%. This study has guiding significance for the setting of process parameters of hot stretch-bending of titanium alloy profiles.