Introduction and Application Scope of Multi-Directional Forging
Introduction
Multi-directional forging (MDF) is an advanced plastic deformation processing technique that achieves uniform material deformation and grain refinement by repeatedly changing the forging direction (e.g., rotating 90° per step). It is one of the severe plastic deformation (SPD) methods, often combined with isothermal forging to form multi-directional isothermal forging. In this process, the billet is heated above the recrystallization temperature (e.g., 950-1100°C for titanium alloys) and forged in multiple passes at low strain rates, with varying loading directions to avoid anisotropy and eliminate “dead zones.” Compared to traditional unidirectional forging, MDF enables near-net shaping, producing precise external shapes and extruded internal holes, with material utilization rates exceeding 95%. The process is particularly suitable for hard-to-deform metals like titanium, magnesium, and aluminum alloys, achieving ultrafine grains (1-2 μm) through dynamic recrystallization and significantly enhancing mechanical properties.Advantages
- Grain Refinement and Property Enhancement: Promotes continuous and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization, forming fine equiaxed grains and improving strength, ductility, and high-temperature performance (e.g., tensile strength increase of over 20% in titanium alloys).
- Material and Energy Savings: Reduces flash waste (30%-50% material savings), shortens processes, and lowers energy consumption.
- Defect Control: Eliminates pores, cracks, and stress concentrations, improving microstructural uniformity.
- High Forming Precision: Ideal for complex shapes, flash-free, and draft-free precision components.
Application ScopeMulti-directional forging is widely used in high-performance fields, including:
- Aerospace: Titanium alloy engine disks, blades, landing gear, and structural parts, leveraging lightweight high-strength features for ultrafine-grained large forgings.
- Automotive and New Energy Vehicles: Magnesium alloy lightweight components and pump/valve fittings, enhancing fatigue resistance.
- Energy and Nuclear Power: High-temperature/high-pressure pipes and corrosion-resistant valve bodies, suitable for deep-sea and supercritical thermal power equipment.
- Others: High-end pumps/valves and complex industrial parts, ideal for medium-to-large batch production (billet weights from kilograms to tons), but with high equipment investment, not suitable for ultra-thin walls or extremely high volumes.