Volume Pre-Allocation Strategy for Enhancing Formability and Die Life in AISI-410 Martensitic Stainless Steel U-Shaped Forgings

To address incomplete die filling, high cracking tendency, and severe die wear in the conventional forging of AISI-410 martensitic stainless steel U-shaped forgings, an optimized billet volume pre-allocation strategy was proposed. Two improved forging schemes for the U-shaped forgings were designed: the Arc Concave Flattening Scheme (adding arc-shaped concave features to the flattening die for corner volume compensation) and Preformed Volume Allocation Scheme (incorporating a preforming step for strategic volume pre-allocation at ends and corners). Finite Element Analysis employing the Oyane damage model and Archard wear model was employed to simulate and optimize the forging process. The optimal scheme was applied to production trials. The results demonstrated that the Preformed Volume Allocation Scheme significantly improved the geometric compatibility between the billets and the final forging die cavity. As a result, the billet’s temperature, strain, and equivalent stress uniformity increased, reducing cracking tendency. Moreover, the rise in the mitigated temperature and stress concentration resulted in reduced final forging die wear. Production trials confirmed a qualified rate of ~96% (34% higher than the Original Scheme). The final forging die service life reached 300 pieces per refurbishment cycle, showing a 50% improvement. This work provides theoretical and practical guidance for optimizing the forging processes of complex martensitic stainless steel components.