Optimization of Diamond-Coated Drawing Dies for Low Carbon Steel Tubes Based on the FEM Simulation

Abstract

Diamond-coated drawing dies are considered as ideal drawing dies for their unique characteristics, such as high hardness, wear resistance and low friction. In order to utilize the superior characteristics of diamond coatings towards improving the drawing performance, the nonlinear FEM simulation is used to simulate the whole low carbon steel tube hollow sinking process, with 2D axi-symmetric elastic-plastic element. Based on the simulation results, the distributions of the axial stress and radial stress are analyzed, the influence of parameters of drawing dies on the diameter shrinkage is investigated. Optimal die parameters are obtained.