Microstructure Simulation and Prediction of Forging Process for GH4169 Superalloy Ingots

WU Yumeng; YAO Zhihao; DONG Jianxin

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.08.015

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (8) : 136-149. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.08.015

Superalloy Forming

Microstructure Simulation and Prediction of Forging Process for GH4169 Superalloy Ingots

WU Yumeng, YAO Zhihao^*, DONG Jianxin

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Abstract

Aiming at the problem that the shape of GH4169 ingots increases gradually and the forging permeability becomes worse during cogging of ingots, the work aims to reveal the distribution and evolution of billet temperature, equivalent strain and grain structure during billet cogging through finite element simulation, so as to design the billet cogging process more scientifically. In this study, the DEFORM-3D platform was used to develop a three-dimensional thermomechanical coupling model based on the elastoplastic finite element method for simulating the cogging free forging process of GH4169 nickel-based superalloy ingots. The simulation results showed that after upsetting, the core temperature reached 1 110 ℃ with a radial temperature difference less than 50 ℃, while the equivalent strain difference between the core and the edge was about 0.2, and the maximum recrystallization volume fraction reached 36%. Upon final forging, the billet temperature ranged from 970 to 1 070 ℃, surface strain was about 7.5 and core strain was about 4. The grain size was refined to less than 20 μm with a radial size difference less than 10 μm, indicating significantly improved microstructural homogeneity. Damage factor analysis revealed the distribution of maximum damage zones. In conclusion, the findings indicate that the designed process significantly refines the microstructure of the GH4169 alloy, achieving uniform grain refinement and markedly improving the overall microstructural homogeneity of the forged product. This provides a robust theoretical foundation for optimizing the cogging process for large-scale GH4169 alloy ingots.

Key words

GH4169 superalloy / Deform simulation / cogging / temperature field / strain field

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WU Yumeng, YAO Zhihao, DONG Jianxin. Microstructure Simulation and Prediction of Forging Process for GH4169 Superalloy Ingots[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2025, 17(8): 136-149 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.08.015

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