Preform design of TC4 alloy blade based on 3D electrostatic fields

Based on the 3-D electrostatic fields, a new method of preform design was brought forward by the example of TC4 alloy blade. According to the similarity between the blank flow law and the isopotential line of the electrostatic field, the appropriate shape of the preform was obtained though selecting suitable equipotential line by simulation of 3D electrostatic field. Compared with preform based on the conventional method, the isothermal forging of TC4 alloy blade was simulated. The simulation results showed better forming effect of TC4 alloy blade was achieved by using the preform based on 3-D electrostatic fields. This method is especially suitable for preform design of bulk forming process of forging with complex surface morphology.