Numerical modelling of the aluminium extrusion process.

Abstract

The extrusion of aluminium alloys involves the shaping of the product from an homogenised billet into a complex shape. In addition the properties of the extrudate are closely related to the processing parameters (temperature, stain rate, and material morphology). Since all the parameters vary throughout the ram stroke and throughout the billet the prediction of the condition of the extrudate is complex. In this study the analysis is accomplished by the use of finite element analysis coupled with sub-illodelling of the structural features. The study is extended to include the lieat-treatment process necessary for precipitation hardened alloys subsequent to the process. The author has published these results in a number of learned journals and these are given in Appendix. After a concise introduction and crirical literature review chapter3 analyses the basic operation of the finite element package(FEM) discussing the procedures involved, the equilibrium equations and the more practical aspect of the mesh morphology and size. Finite Element analysis and material structural models have been integrated using parallel processing technology and program sub-routines. In this section the external inputs are also defined paying particular attention to the friction conditions and the constitutive equations. The thesis then proceeds to describe and analyse the integrated modelling of the process necessary to introduce the user introduction of the equations necessary to produce a comprehensive analysis of the material structural problems. This includes the cellular automata teclu-iiques. Various complex extrusion geometries are analysed and the effects of scaling considered. Development of the extrudate surface and criteria for ptedicting this important feature are coinprehebsivcly covered in chapter 5 whilst chapter 6 considers some special technologies such as the use of pockets to obtain homogenous structures. Isothermal extrusion is also included in this section.