2015 Volume 56 Issue 650 Pages 219-224
In this study, the shrink-fit die is developed for high-strength aluminium alloy hollow extrusions. The metal flow of the extrusion process is analyzed by the finite-element method to investigate the extrusion pressure in the die, which is later used as the applied load in the die structural analysis. Simulation results are compared with experimental results for the billet press. They show fairly good coincidence. In the die structural analysis, the effect of the shrink fitting value on the maximum principal tensile stress and the total strain range of the root of the bridge are investigated, and the optimum shrink fitting value is obtained. In comparison with the porthole die, the extrusion load of the shrink fit die is lower by 15%, and the stress at the root of the bridge is decreased by 38%. Experimental results also show that the die life of the shrink die is improved more than that of the porthole die.
