Deutsch
English
Project leaders: Dr.-Ing. habil. K. Möhwald, Prof. Dr.-Ing. B.-A. Behrens
Funding period: until 08/2015
Funding body: DFG
Funding code: -
Drop forgings made of steel are used in many areas today due to their excellent mechanical properties. The tool life of a forging tool is one of the decisive factors for economical production. In addition, growing competitive pressure is forcing companies to manufacture high-quality products at ever decreasing prices. The tools used in hot forging are exposed to high thermal, mechanical and tribological stresses as a result of the process. In general, these stresses overlap and lead to various causes of failure of the tools used. At 70%, wear is the main cause of tool failure. Increasing the wear resistance of the forming tool surface is therefore of crucial importance in terms of increasing tool life and improving economic efficiency. In addition to thermal and thermochemical surface treatment processes, coating processes for applying thin wear-resistant layers are becoming increasingly important.
The aim of this research project is to transfer wear-reducing coatings from the Collaborative Research Center 489 (SFB 489) of the German Research Foundation (DFG), sub-project AI "Materials for precision forging" to different hot forming processes. One challenge here is the transfer of previous experience and the process- and tool-appropriate adaptation to the requirements of different forging processes and tool systems. After a selection of coating systems adapted to the process conditions, a preliminary investigation of the wear behavior is carried out using model tools. The coating systems with the lowest wear are then transferred to the industrial processes. In addition to different tools, various types of forging presses are also used. In addition to the eccentric presses previously investigated in SFB 489, coating systems for reducing wear on high-speed Hatebur presses are also being tested. The use of coatings on this type of press poses a particular challenge due to the high punch speeds and temperature changes, e.g. with regard to adhesion to the surface. In addition to reducing tool wear, the costs of the coating processes are also optimized, thus enabling a further increase in economic efficiency.