EXTRUSION MODELING OF 6061-ALUMINUM-ALLOY AND PARTICLE-REINFORCED MMCS

Extrusion modelling was preformed for 6061 aluminium alloy and three p article reinforced MMCs (10%Al2O3/6061, 15%SiC/6061, 20%Al2O3/6061) us ing constitutive equations previously obtained from torsion test data. In applying the finite element software DEFORM, suitable heat transfe r, friction, and velocity boundary conditions were chosen based on a d irect extrusion press. Simulations were run for various extrusion cond itions and the outputs of the four materials were compared. The simula tion results were validated by comparison with real life extrusion and modelling of other researchers. The results showed that an increase i n billet temperature, a reduction in ram speed, or a reduction in extr usion ratio had the effect of reducing the ram load. In consequence, e xtrusion conditions could be selected so that extrusion of the composi te was carried out with the same peak ram load as the alloy. MST/4022A .