Numerical Simulation of Crack Condition in Forging Products of M50 Bearing Steel Based on Processing Map Theory

Abstract

The microstructure of forged products significantly impacts their properties, and defects or carbide distribution are not visible to the naked eye. Isothermal compression tests on M50 steel with a Gleeble 3500 tester were conducted to study microstructure behavior during forging. Tests examined the hot deformation behavior within a temperature range of 900–1200 °C and a strain rate range of 0.01–10 s−1. Power dissipation efficiency (η) and flow instability (ξ), which are crucial processing map parameters, were employed to analyze the high-temperature deformation behavior of M50 steel. The 3D processing map determined the optimum forging conditions, indicating that hot working should start at an initial temperature of 1050 °C or higher and a strain rate of 1 s−1, decreasing the strain rate and temperature as the strain increases. The 3D power dissipation efficiency map displayed an average value of 0.43 or higher at a strain rate of 0.1 s−1 and a temperature of 1150 °C before reaching a strain rate of 0.8. The Finite Element Method (FEM) simulated results, revealing ξ and η distributions, and confirmed that microstructure observation during deformation matched the hot forging parameters. This approach can effectively predict microstructure changes during hot forging.