A Mixed Lubrication Model for Computer Simulation of Extrusion Processes

A mixed lubrication/friction model for extrusion process is developed in the present research. The model combines a rigid-plasticity finite element code to simulate the interface condition between the tooling and workpiece in the extrusion operation. The influence of surface roughness on lubricant flow is treated by using the average Reynolds equation. The active lubrication regime and appropriate friction factor were determined from the current local values of interface variables such as mean lubricant film thickness and workpiece and tooling roughness, in addition to the more traditional external variables such as interface pressure, node sliding velocity and strain rate of the workpiece. Numerical results using the coupled code include friction stress and normal pressure under different lubrication conditions are compared with experimental investigation. The discrepancy is very small and the proposed model proved to be very efficient in predicting interface friction condition in the extrusion processes.