Numerical simulation and its application of rheological forming of titanium alloy vane disk

The hot rheological forming method was proposed to form the second titanium alloy vane disk. The hot rheological forming process of the TC11 titanium vane disk under a certain temperature and different strain rates was investigated by using the bulk forming software of DEFORM 3D. A series of results including temperature field, equivalent strain distribution, load-stroke curve and rheology procedure were obtained by this finite element method. The rheological forming characteristics were well realized and the forming parameters were determined. The results and analysis show that with decreasing strain rate, the metal flow more equably and the filling of the vane shape is also better. Moreover, the mechanical properties and microstructures of the products produced by this new technique are improved evidently compared with that produced by traditional method.