Determination of process parameters for the NC bending of a TA18 tube

Mei Zhan, Tao Huang, Zhi Qiang Jiang, Pei Pei Zhang, He Yang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Determining appropriate process parameters is key to obtain qualified TA18 (Ti-3Al-2.5V, ASTM Gr. 9) titanium alloy tubes with medium strength by numerically controlled (NC) bending at low cost. This paper focuses on the variations in wall thickness and cross-section under various operating parameters and mandrel parameters for the NC bending of TA18 tubes. We put forward a method for quickly determining the range of the axial mandrel feed. The method is based on the principle of an equivalent mandrel supporting radius for a given bending radius but employing some mandrels with varying diameters and the principle of an equivalent mandrel supporting angle for various bending radii but employing the same diameter mandrel. The finite element analysis and the experimental verification results show that the bending speed should be less than 0.5 rad/s and the pressure die velocity should be approximately equal to or slightly higher than the bending speed, and that the method for determining the range of the axial mandrel feed is feasible. Considering the effects of an equivalent mandrel supporting radius and equivalent mandrel supporting angle, the mandrel diameter and axial feed should be chosen in a compatible range.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)663-672
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology
Volume68
Issue number1-4
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2013

Keywords

  • Equivalent mandrel supporting angle
  • Equivalent mandrel supporting radius
  • Numerically controlled tube bending
  • Process parameter
  • Titanium alloy tube

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