Study of the deformation process in an equal-channel step matrix of a new design based on computer simulation

Abstract

The paper presents the results of computer simulation of the deformation process in equal-channel step matrix, the distinctive feature of which is the location of intermediate channel at two angles to the input and output channels. Models with values of the inclination angle in the longitudinal direction (angle α) of 135 degrees and inclination angles in the transverse direction (angle β) of 15, 25 and 35 degrees are considered. To study the stress-strain state, the following parameters were considered: equivalent strain (total strain intensity); equivalent stress (stress intensity), and the resulting deformation force. It was found that with an increase in the value of the angle β, all the characteristics of the stress-strain state increase in their absolute value. When the angle β increases from 0 to 35 degrees, the equivalent strain increases by an average of 22÷25%. The analysis of the forces showed that when the value of the angle β increases, the deformation force increases at both stages, the nature of the increase is non-monotonic. The increase in force occurs sequentially by 10, 12 and 23 kN, which indicates the exponential nature of increase in force depending on the value of the angle β. The maximum force value of 257 kN that occurs when using a matrix with angle of β=35° exceeds the standard value for β=0° by only 22%. Therefore, the best option for performing equal-channel step pressing with the flow of metal in 3 planes can be considered a matrix with angle α=135° and angle β=35°.