A General Simulation Technology for Forging with Considering the Evolution of Voids, Grains and Cracks

A general simulation technology was provided as an integration of finite element simulation with a void closure model, a thermal crack model and microstructural evolution models. This integrated simulation method is suitable for hot forging process in which the quality control was still a tough task. To validate the proposed technology, simulation results were compared with experiments data in terms of void closure extent, crack happening position and condition, and grain size. Furthermore, a forming of head of nuclear power vessel was simulated to test its applicability in multi-step forming process.