<正>In this paper,based on the plastic forming large deformation theory and thermodynamic elastic-plastic FEM,the process of expanding and reducing tube was analyzed by using nonlinear finite element software MARC.The coupled thermal-me- chanical models for the thermal-extrusion tube process were established,and the dynamic simulation to them was carried out.By the study on 3 D deformation regulation of the thermal-extrusion tube,the distribution of stress,strain and the curves between the force of extrusion and the distance were obtained.As a result,with only a small quantity of necessary experiments,the select of the schemes and parameters can conveniently be performed in the computers.So,not only large numbers of experiments can be avoided, but also trial-manufacture period is consumedly shortened and some costs may be saved.In addition,in order to validate our nu- merical calculation,an experiment of the tube made of 20 steel is presented in this paper.Good agreement is shown between mea- sured and predicted results of the theoretical analysis model.The study provides a scientific basis for parametric optimizations of the thermal extrusion expanding and reducing tube production equipment.At the same time,the method used in the present paper has important referential value for studying the similar thermal extrusion parts.
