Numerical simulation and experimental investigation on multi-directional forging of pure molybdenum

The multi-directional forging process of pure molybdenum was numerically simulated by using DEFORM-3D finite element simulation software. Based on the forging experiment, the effects of deformation temperature, forging reduction, and forging steps on the equivalent strain and uniform distribution of the forgings were studied, and the forging process of repeatedly drawing and upsetting was optimized. It is found that, with the forging process, the equivalent strain distribution tends to be uniform. After the third drawing, the equivalent strain value at the core of the forging can reach more than 3.75, and the overall relative density of the forging is close to 100%. After the multi-direction forging, the sintered pores of the pure sintered molybdenum billets with the initial average grain size of about 55 μm are reduced obviously, the relative density is increased, and the grain size is reduced to 2~3 μm.