Investigation on evolution of the alpha phase during cross wedge rolling of TC6 blade perform

TC6 alloy is an desirable material for blades of aviation engines and a cross wedge rolling process has been proposed to manufacture the blade preform. In this paper, microstructure model based on the Arvami equation which describes the evolution of the alpha phase has been developed and implemented into a 3D rigid-plastic FE model to simulate the whole cross wedge rolling process, including the transfer, deform and air cooling stages. Results show that the volume fraction of the alpha phase was increased in the transfer stage and it was graded distribution after deformed. Furthermore, air cooling process is required to obtain a qualified volume fraction of the alpha phase, and the time for air cooling is suggested to be 15-20 s in the given condition.