Concept for controlled adjustment of residual stress states in semi-finished products by gradation extrusion

The residual stress distribution in extruded components and wires after a conventional forming process is frequently unfavourable for subsequent processes, such as bending operations. High tensile residual stresses typically occur near the surface of the wire and thus limit further processability of the material. Additional heat treatment operations or shot peening are often inserted to influence the residual stress distribution in the material after conventional manufacturing. This is time and energy consuming. The research presented in this paper contains an approach to influence the residual stress distribution by modifying the forming process for wire-like applications. The aim of this process is to lower the resulting tensile stress levels near the surface or even to generate compressive stresses. To achieve these residual compressive stresses, special forming elements are integrated in the dies. These modifications in the forming zone have a significant influence on process properties, such as degree of deformation and deformation direction, but typically have no influence on the diameter of the product geometry. In the present paper, the theoretical approach is described, as well as the model set-up, the FE-simulation and the results of the experimental tests. The characterization of the residual stress states in the specimen was carried out by X-ray diffraction using the sin2Ψ method.