Ramil Ya. Lutfullin

Experimental and Simulation Modeling of Nickel-Based Superalloy Pressure Welding Process

The paper presents the results of finite element analysis of plastic deformation in the contact zone of dissimilar superalloys subjected to pressure welding. The results are compared for the two cases: with and without relief on the surfaces of parts to be welded. It is shown that the relief made on the surface can either decrease or increase the area of deformation stagnant zones, depending on the relief shape. The results of simulations are compared with the experimental test results.

Microstructure and Properties of Nanostructured Alloy 718

Nickel-iron Alloy 718 is widely used for fabricating parts by superplastic deformation. Refinement of grains down to a nanostructure (NS) size improves the alloy’s processing properties. Thermomechanical treatment has been carried out to form a NS state in bulk alloy by multiple isothermal forging (MIF) at gradually decreasing temperatures. Investigation of superplastic properties and processing behavior of Alloy 718 has been performed. The alloy with a grain size of 80 nm displays superplasticity (SP) at a temperature which is lower than for a conventional fine grained alloy by about 350°C. The values of the relative elongation  and the strain rate sensitivity coefficient m are 350% and 0.37, respectively. The experimental data on the influence of grain size on solid-state weldability in the range of SP have been obtained. The application of the effect of low temperature SP yields lower temperatures of superplastic forming (SPF) and pressure welding (PW) as compared with conventional SP of fine-grained material. The experiment of the combined process of SPF and PW by counter-forming of two polished sheets, demonstrates its low temperature processing feasibility using NS specimens. The SPF processing of NS sheets in a cylindrical die has been investigated. It has revealed that macro-deformation is uniform in cross and longitudinal sections. Mechanical properties of Alloy 718 in NS condition and after strengthening heat treatment have been discussed.

Promises of Low-Temperature Superplasticity for the Enhanced Production of Hollow Titanium Components

Application of the conventional superplasticity (SP) allows producing the unique hollow structures. One remarkable example is the hollow titanium blade of the air engine fan produced by Rolls-Royce. However, high temperature titanium alloys processing (~ 927 °С) limits wide industrial application of the conventional SP. The solution of the mentioned issue can be found through the application of low-temperature SP. Ti-6Al-4V alloy with ultrafine grain structure at the temperature range of 600 800 °С has enough ductility resources for the superplastic forming (SPF) of the parts with the complicated shape. The formation of pores in Ti-6Al-4V alloy at uniaxial and biaxial tension at the temperature 600 °С is not observed. The effect of low-temperature SP also allows lowering pressure welding (PW) temperature essentially. Herewith, there is a possibility to produce the hollow parts by the combination of SPF and PW. The main goal is the optimization of the technological scheme and processing temperature. The use of the low-temperature SP provides high quality of hollow components such as blades.