Numerical simulation of a thixocasting process for
AISI420 stainless steel air-turbine blade
(1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China;
2. Le Quy Don Technical University, Ha Noi, Viet Nam)
2. Le Quy Don Technical University, Ha Noi, Viet Nam)
Abstract: A new technology, semi-solid casting (thixocasting) method, was used to replace the conventional hot forging process to form AISI420 stainless steel air-turbine blade. The power law cut-off (PLCO) material model in Procast software was used to simulate the thixocasting process. The thixocasting process was simulated. The results show that the reasonable technology parameters for air-turbine blade thixocasting process are obtained: billet temperature 1 483−1 485 oC, piston velocity 12−15 m/s and die temperature is about 400 oC.
Key words: thixocasting; air-turbine blade; AISI420 stainless steel; numerical simulation; Procast software