Optimization of rotational speed of main roll in profile ring rolling of GH4169 alloy

The rotational speed of the main roll of a profile ring mill is critical for insuring the success of its rolling process. In this paper, a three dimensional finite element model of the profile ring rolling process is built based on the ABAQUS/Explicit algorithm. Using the proposed finite element model, the laws of the main roll rotational speed affecting the rolling process and the thermomechanical parameter distribution are analyzed systematically. A validity experiment is carried out for a compressor case ring of GH4169 alloy. The results show that axial shrinking of the profile ring is clearly observed when the rotational speed of the main roll is relatively high, and that the shrinkage is comparatively small when the rotational speed of the main roll is low. Additionally, with the increase of the rotational speed of the main roll, the thickness reduction per pass decreases, and the corresponding rolling force also decreases, but the inhomogeneity of temperature distribution within the ring increases. Therefore, it could be concluded that a lower rotational speed of the main roll should be adopted for profile ring rolling when the feed speed of the mandrel is constant.