Experimental and theoretical analysis of deformation and microstructural evolution in the hot-die forging of titanium alloy aerofoil sections

A study of the hot die forging of titanium alloy aerofoil sections, carried out both numerically and experimentally, is described. A two-dimensional thermal-plastic coupled finite-element model is employed to study the mechanical and thermal interaction between the forging dies and the workpiece. Attention has been paid to deformation, temperature, stress and strain inside the blade and these parameters have been used in combination with an internal state variable to determine the evolution of the microstructure of the blade during hot forging. A comparison of theoretical with experimental results shows that the developed model may be used to accurately predict microstructural parameters. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.