Three-dimensional fluid-thermal-structure multiphysics interaction simulation model of aluminium extrusion process

Abstract

Three dimensional fluid-thermal-structure multiphysics interaction simulation model of aluminium extrusion process has been simulated and presented in this paper. This multiphysics complex geometrical engineering process is simulated effectively using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation with very high accuracy, where the aluminium material is treated as a fluid that has a very high viscosity which depends on temperature and velocity. When aluminium moving, the inner friction will work as a heat source, therefore the model of the heat transfer is completely coupled together with those governing model of the fluid dynamics. Material properties come into a viscosity function that can be related to the flow stress locally depending on forming velocity and temperature. In addition, the stresses distribution in the die that introduces due to the fluid pressure and the thermal loads has been modelled by fully coupled the simulation model with the structural mechanic's analysis. Fully three-dimensional results during the process of the temperature distribution, velocity profile, von Mises stress distribution, total displacement and deflection distribution, equivalent volumetric strain distribution, and pressure distribution are presented and analysed with a focus on the fundamental understanding. The model is shown to be able to provide a computer-aided design tool for optimize this complex engineering process by improving productivity and reducing scrap.