Modelling the void deformation and closure by hot forging of ingot castings

After solidification and cooling cast ingots contain voids due to improper feeding and volume shrinkage. Such voids are normally unwanted, so besides of forming the ingot to the desired shape, one of the purposes of the post processing of the ingot by hot forging is to close such voids by mechanical deformation. The aim of this paper is to analyze numerically if and to what degree the voids areclosed by the forging. Using the commercial simulation software ABAQUS, both simplified model ingots and physically manufactured ingots containing prescribed void distributions are deformed and analyzed. The analysis concernsboth the void density change and the location of the voids in the part after deformation. The latter can be important for the subsequent reliability of the parts, for instance regarding fatigue properties. The analysis incorporates the Gurson yield criterion for metals containing voids and focuses on how the voids deform depending on their size and distribution in the ingot as well ashow the forging forces are applied.