A Thermomechanical Model Dedicated to Thixoforming. Application to Semi-Solid Forming

This paper deals with the simulation of two extrusion tests by thixoforming: a non stationary
extrusion test and a double-cup extrusion test. The simulations are based on a thermo-mechanical
one-phase constitutive law that has been presented in details in previous papers. A campaign of experimental
extrusion testing has been conducted on a steel alloy and the comparison between the numerical
and experimental results will validate the model under study. A new feature that has been added to the
model is also discussed: the introduction of the phase change thermal effects such as the fusion latent
heat and the contraction of the material