Force analysis and experimental study of pure aluminum and Al-5%Ti-1%B alloy continuous expansion extrusion forming process

The deformation zone of CONFORM extrusion was divided into primary gripping zone, gripping zone, conical expansion chamber zone, cylindrical zone and sizing zone of die, and corresponding force equilibrium equations were established using the Slab method. The deformation force formulae of CONFORM machine at any wrapping angle with an expansion chamber were obtained. Experiment on pure aluminum and Al-5%Ti-1%B alloy was conducted on the CONFORM machine self-designed. The resistance to deformation of Al-5%Ti-1%B alloy at the deformation temperature of 400 °C and the strain rate of 3.07 s−1 was measured to be 50 MPa using Gleeble-1500 thermal simulation machine. The calculation results of deformation forces for CONFORM process with an expansion chamber for pure aluminum and Al-5%Ti-1%B alloy were given. The experimental CONFORM radial force is in agreement with the radial force obtained by theoretical formula.