VALIDATION OF THE THERMOMECHANICAL MICROSTRUCTURAL MODEL FOR CLOSED-DIE FORGING

The objective of the paper is the assessment of the predictive ability of the thermomechanical-microstructural model for the closed-die forg ing process. The model combines the rigid-plastic flow formulation wit h the finite element solution of the Fourier equation with the closed- form equations describing processes of recrystallization and grain gro wth. Experimental validation of the mechanical and thermal components of the model is presented in earlier publications; present work focuse s on the microstructural part. Experiment includes closed-die forging of the carbon-manganese steel samples and the measurements of the grai n size on the cross-sections of the forgings after the deformation. Sp herical samples, which involve significant inhomogeneity of the strain and the temperature fields, have been chosen for a presentation of th e results.