Title: Numerical simulation of floating-plug drawing of copper tubes with pores

Authors: W-H. Shen, Z-G. Li, S-H. Zhang, H-M. Liu

Addresses: Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China. ' Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China. ' Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China. ' Institute of Roll Forging Technology, Jilin University, Changchun, 130025, China

Abstract: Applying the 3D heat-mechanical coupled elastic-plastic Finite Element Method (FEM), computer simulations of a floating-plug drawing of a perfect copper tube and a pored copper tube were carried out with the aid of the nonlinear FE software Marc. Stress, strain, temperature and other factors that influence the qualities of copper tubes and the drawing process stability were analysed. The simulation results show that the drawing process stability of copper tubes with pores is not as good as that of perfect copper tubes; it is easier to cause stress concentration around pores, and generate an uneven distribution of temperature. All of these could influence later processing of copper tubes.

Keywords: floating plug drawing; pores; copper tubes; finite element method; FEM; simulation; process stability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2009.023324

International Journal of Product Development, 2009 Vol.7 No.3/4, pp.301 - 310

Published online: 19 Feb 2009 *

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