Numerical investigations on the influence of the weld surface and die geometry on the resulting tensile stresses in the joining zone during an extrusion process

Abstract

Bulk metal components are often used in areas which are subjected to very high loads. For most technical components, a distinction between structural and functional areas can be made. These areas usually have very different loading profiles, sometimes with contradictory requirements. Nevertheless, nowadays almost only monomaterials are used for the production of bulk metal components. With increasing requirements towards more and more efficient products with lower weight, compact design and extended functionality, these materials are reaching their material-specific limits. A significant increase of product quality and economic efficiency can be expected exclusively with locally adapted properties by combining different materials within one component. In this regard, the focus of this contribution is the production of a hybrid pinion shaft made of the material combination steel (37CrS4) and aluminium (AW6082). The tool concept for extrusion of the hybrid preform, the simulation-based design of the forming process as well as the material characterisation are presented. With the help of the FE-simulation, different serially arranged semi-finished component geometries were investigated in order to minimise the occurring tensile stresses in the component during the extrusion process to prevent failure during forming.