Search Results (6)

This paper studies the drawing-induced intercolonial microdamage (ICMD) in pearlitic microstructures. The analysis was performed from the direct observation of the microstructure of the progressively cold-drawn pearlitic steel wires associated with the distinct steps (cold-drawing passes) of a real cold-drawing manufacturing scheme, constituted by seven cold-drawing passes. Three types of ICMD were found in the pearlitic steel microstructures, all affecting two or more pearlite colonies, namely: (i) intercolonial tearing; (ii) multi-colonial tearing; and (iii) micro-decolonization. The ICMD evolution is quite relevant to the subsequent fracture process of cold-drawn pearlitic steel wires, since the drawing-induced intercolonial micro-defects act as weakest links or fracture promoters/initiators, thereby affecting the microstructural integrity of the wires. Full article

The research presented in this article aimed to obtain a semi-finished product in the form of TRIP wires, which in further research will be used to produce fasteners in the form of KPS-6 screws used in the construction industry. At present, the process of manufacturing this type of fastener (from wire rod to the finished product) involves two technological lines: one for carrying out the drawing process and obtaining a semi-finished product in the form of a wire with appropriate properties, and the other for the production of fasteners. Semi-finished product wires with a ferritic-perlitic structure obtained after the drawing process are the starting product for the production of fasteners, the tensile strength of which is approximately 450 MPa. In order to be able to obtain fasteners characterized by an increased level of properties in 8.8 grade, after the screw manufacturing process, heat treatment should be carried out by hardening and tempering. The new technology proposed in the article includes: a drawing wire rod with a semi-finished product diameter, two-stage heat treatment on the line for pass-through heating and cooling, ensuring the obtaining of a TRIP-type structure in drawn wires, and calibration drawing. The product of this process was a wire whose tensile strength was in the range of 700–800 MPa with a TRIP structure. Thanks to obtaining a TRIP-type structure with the assumed amount of retained austenite, we obtained wires with higher strength properties and very high plasticity in relation to wires with the same chemical composition and ferritic and perlitic structure. The research carried out in the article also allowed us to obtain, in the semi-finished product wires, a favourable relationship between the strength properties and plasticity of the material, expressed by the value of the R_e/R_m coefficient (yield strength/tensile strength) and the so-called yield ratio, which determines the material′s susceptibility to cold deformation; the smaller these coefficients, the greater the yield strength. The subsequent stages of the research will include the development of forming fasteners in the form of KPS-6 screws used in the steel construction industry with TRIP structures, with increased properties of products in the 8.8 property class, without conducting heat treatment by hardening and tempering. It is assumed that the resulting product will have an additional usable feature: preserving a certain amount of retained austenite in the structure of the finished fasteners, which will be transformed into martensite during operation, and thus affect the longevity of the fasteners. Full article

This paper examines the surface roughness of a thin brass wire (140–200 microns in diameter) after two dieless drawing (DD) processes, i.e., conventional dieless drawing (CDD) and incremental dieless drawing (IDD). In incremental dieless drawing, small increments in deformation were applied in several passes. It has been proven that the IDD process not only has a greater efficiency but also enables obtaining a wire with significantly lower surface roughness. The explanation for these effects is based on the results of the numerical modeling of both compared processes. The developed numerical model takes into consideration the initial roughness of the wire surface, shape and dimensions of grains, and their diversified mechanical properties. Nanoindentation measurements, microstructure, and plastometric studies allowed us to find the effective flow stress distribution in the grains. The IDD process was found to be much more stable and develop a much more uniform distribution of grain strain than the CDD process. More homogeneous deformation results in surface roughness reduction. Approximately 25–30% reduction in surface roughness of the wire produced by the IDD process was predicted by simulations and confirmed experimentally. Full article

Making “digital twins” for rolling processes and mill equipment should begin with the development of mathematical models of the deformation zone. The deformation zone of two-high flat mill rolling have been studied in detail, relevant models are available in many academic papers. However, the same cannot be said about the most complex deformation zones in stands with multi-roll gauge. Therefore, the task of their reliable mathematical description is of immediate interest. The development of mathematical models is necessary for the design of new wire mills and rolling-drawing units. The combination of rolling in stands with multi-roll gauge and drawing is a promising direction in the production of wire from difficult-to-form steels and alloys. Digital models for pressure-based metal treatment are also necessary for calculating the rolling-mill power parameters during the development of new assortments at the operating mills. The models of deformation zones present the basis for developing the multivariable control systems of process conditions of continuous mills. This research is devoted to the study of the deformation zone and the development of a procedure for calculating the power parameters of rolling in a stand with four-roll passes. The solution of these challenges is given using the example of an operating five-stand wire mill. The authors analysed the known analytical dependencies for calculating the rolling mill force and torque. A mathematical model of the deformation zone and a program for calculating the power parameters have been developed. The paper compares the results obtained from calculations based on analytical dependence and on modelling. A comparison with the experimental parameters obtained at the mill is given. The authors assess the feasibility of using the known formulas and analyse the impact of the front and rear tensions on the power parameters of rolling mill. The problem of developing an automatic tension control system for continuous mills with multi-roll groove is substantiated. Full article

Fine grain layers that generate near frictional interfaces in metal forming processes affect the quality of products. The present paper aims to contribute to the continuum-mechanics-based phenomenological approach for predicting such layers’ properties. In particular, it studies the generation of fine grain layers in the process of multipass drawing of thin high carbon steel wires experimentally. The wires are drawn in three passes under different friction conditions. All three dies in each multipass process have the same semiangle. In total, two die semiangles are used, 4° and 5°. The effects of such processing conditions as the die semiangle, the number of passes, and the friction conditions on the thickness of fine grain layers are observed and discussed. The criterion for determining this thickness is based on the coefficient of anisotropy. Under soft friction conditions, the fine grain layer’s thickness decrease occurs during the consequential passes independently of the die semiangle. On the other hand, in the case of hard friction conditions, the thickness may or may not be a monotonic function of the number of passes, and its general qualitative behavior depends on the die semiangle. Full article

In the multi-pass wire drawing process, the diameter of a wire is decreased by continuously passing it through progressively smaller drawing dies. Although the deformation depends on the process variables, in most wire drawing processes, the wire deformation is concentrated on the surface by its direct contact with the drawing dies, causing a nonlinear distribution of radial direction effective strain from the center to the surface. In this study, a new model for predicting this effective strain in two-pass drawn wire was derived based on the upper bound method, and a finite element analysis and drawing experiment were conducted to validate its effectiveness. The proposed model offers a promising approach to determining and thus controlling the strain in multi-pass drawn wire. Full article