The thermomechanical conditions of open die forging of zirconium alloy ingots determined by rheological tests

Abstract

The article reports the results of investigation into variations in the rheological properties of the Zr-1 % Nb alloy when deformed under the conditions of physical modelling of the process of multi-stage hot open die forging of ingots. The programme for rheological testing of the alloy was developed based on the simplex planning method. Tests were carried out on a „Gleeble 3800” plastometer. Based on the rheological test results, a new scheme of ingot deformation in forging process was developed and the experimental verification of the model study results was made in industrial conditions. From the obtained results, high effectiveness of the method of determining the thermomechanical conditions as applied to the process of forging zirconium alloy ingots has been found.

Keywords

• zirconium alloy
• forging
• physical modelling
• rheological test
• flow stress