Development of a new process for forging plates using intensive plastic deformation

A new method of plate forging with V-shaped dies is proposed. The deformation state of a metal workpiece during forging has been investigated. The proposed method of forging increases the uniformity of the strain distribution with a high level of strain in the workpiece. The values of angles for V-shaped dies range from 120° to 140°. This range of die angles is the most rational from the standpoint of strain distribution uniformity and maximum widening. V-shaped die usage for plate forging leads to an increase in widening coefficient of 35 % in comparison with forging with flat dies. This forging technique provides the possibility of eliminating the operation of billet upsetting during plate forging. V-shaped die usage for plate forging also results in a decrease in deformation load in comparison with flat die forging. The scheme of plate forging by V-shaped dies results in the formation of an irregular compression state in the axial zone. It leads to the closing of defects during forging. The new technology of plate forging with V-shaped dies was tested under industrial conditions. The forged piece has satisfied the requirements of the customer’s technical criteria. The ultrasonic check results have shown that the application of the proposed technology provides an increase in metal continuity within the central zone of the forged piece. The experimentally derived forging results have confirmed that upsetting operations can be eliminated, and as a result, energy expenditures and the overall cycle time of the forging operation have been reduced by 15 %.