Inductive heating and semi-solid forming of high-melting materials

• Applicants: Dr.-Ing. Armin Lechler; Professor Dr.-Ing. Mathias Liewald
• Subject Area: Primary Shaping and Reshaping Technology, Additive Manufacturing ; Automation, Mechatronics, Control Systems, Intelligent Technical Systems, Robotics
• Term: from 2011 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 191656201

During the first funding period, the Institute for Metal Forming Technology (IFU) and the Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units (ISW) of the University of Stuttgart investigated the inductive heating and the semi-solid forming process of high-melting material systems. Objective target of the research project is the heating of TiAl6V4 up to the semi-solid state and, thereby, the adjustment of defined ratios of solid and liquid phases as well as the following near-net-shape forming process. In the first period, the potential of the developed method was proved.By reason of the high scientific value and the potential for industrial applications, the investigations are to be expanded in the second period. Thereby, the research work is focusing on the combination of inductive heating and semi-solid forming of Ti6Al4V with regard to the process automation as well as the determination of parameters for heating control and forming process. Thus, the potential of the measuring method regarding the reliability of heating process and the reproducibility of properties of the semi-solid formed components is to be demonstrated. Furthermore effects of the heating and the forming process on material´s microstructure and on resulting mechanical properties of the components have to be investigated and optimized. The objective target of the submitted work packages is to demonstrate the applicability of the technical production processes by developing a combination of heating and forming.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr.-Ing. Alexander Verl