Development and Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Hot Forging Dies by Bulk Forming and Thermomechanical Treatment

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Bernd-Arno Behrens
• Subject Area: Primary Shaping and Reshaping Technology, Additive Manufacturing
• Term: from 2016 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 318628894

This research project aims to investigate the relationship between thermo-mechanically generated engravings of forging dies and the resulting strength properties. The underlying assumptions for the proposal are on the one hand, that the hubbing of tool engravings can have significant advantages in terms of the tool durability compared to other conventional manufacturing processes depending on the engraving geometry due to a stress-oriented grain flow. On the other hand, it is assumed that a technological advantage can be achieved through the austenite forming (ausforming) in a hot working steel due to their influence on the martensitic microstructure. To identify and assess the potential of bulk formed hot forging tools, suitable process parameters for the production shall be identified with the goal of increasing the durability. Comparative mechanical testing and optical analysis of microstructure shall indicate in quantitative way, to what extent the operating strength can be increased by ausforming. Further, the forging dies produced by forming shall be opposed with dies produced by cutting and subsequent tempering. The assessment shall be based on the verification of mechanical strength under operating conditions. An objective criterion for the process design is that the mechanical and thermal stability compared to the conventionally manufactured tools is at least maintained. With the acquired knowledge, the production of hot working tools could be optimized and thus the tool life increased. Basic knowledge in terms of improved tool properties will be obtained by taking into account anisotropy of microstructure and thermo-mechanically induced increase in strength.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants