Evaluation methods for Void Closing Behavior in Large Ingot

This paper presents methods for analyzing the extent of cylindrical-shaped void closure. In addition, a quantitative relationship between change in void fraction and height reduction ratio of a compressed specimen is proposed. The height reduction ratio, number of deformation steps and billet rotation were chosen as key process parameters influencing the void closing behavior, namely, the changes in void shape and size during hot open die forging of a large ingot. The extent of void closure was analyzed from microscopic observations and estimated from tensile test results. The tensile strengths of specimens with closed voids and those without were compared for various reduction ratios in height. The results confirmed that void closure occurs at reduction ratios greater than 30 %. The void closing behavior could be expressed as a hyperbolic tangent function of reduction ratio in height, number of paths, and billet rotation. The knowledge presented in this paper could be helpful for optimizing deformation paths in open die forging processes.