Mechanical property of Ti-6Al-4V sheet in one-sided electric hot incremental forming

Abstract

Although Ti-6Al-4V titanium can be quickly and easily formed by electric hot incremental forming, the material property is the key factor for industrial application. In the current work, mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V sheet in one-sided electric hot incremental forming, such as microstructure, hardness, and tensile strength, were investigated. The results show that the current is obviously the most important factor to elevate temperature, so a higher feed rate can be adopted if the current is increased. In order to keep a constant processing temperature, an online temperature detector and current feedback system should be adopted. After observation and analysis of the microstructure of forming workpieces, the electric hot incremental forming is an integrated process, which involves plastic hardening and annealing. The temperature of the tool–workpiece contact side reached the β-transus one, α phase disappeared, and the basket weave structure was formed because of the fast air-cool. A composite organization with superior property which includes elongated α phase grains and basket weave structure can be acquired by one-sided electric hot incremental forming. If a uniform metal structure is obtained, special heat treatment must be adopted. Micro-hardness analysis shows that electric hot incremental forming is an enhanced processing. In order to improve the tensile strength, the oxidation of sheet must be prevented and inert gas protection should be adopted in future research.