Through-process macro-micro finite element modeling of local loading forming of large-scale complex titanium alloy component for microstructure prediction

The intrinsic multi-heat unequal deformation behavior of the local loading forming requires a through-process macro-micro model to characterize the microstructure evolution during the forming process. In the present work, the phenomena and mechanisms of microstructural developments in local loading forming of titanium alloys are summarized. Mechanism-based unified material models, which characterize the through process microstructure evolution, are developed for integrated prediction of constitutive behavior and microstructure. A through-process macro-micro finite element model is established for the local loading forming of large scale complex titanium alloy component. The model can predict the microstructure evolution as well as macroscopic deformation in multi-step local loading forming process. Model predictions are in good agreement with experimental results. The microstructure evolution in local loading forming is investigated by the established finite element model. It is found that the thermo-mechanical processing route greatly affects the volume fraction of primary alpha but has little influence on the grain size in local loading forming (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.