TA18 titanium alloy pipes are widely used in aerospace. Most titanium alloy pipes are bent and formed using CNC bending. This article focuses on the analysis of the bending performance of TA18 titanium alloy pipes, using a method that combines uniaxial tensile testing and finite element simulation. First, the mechanical properties of the pipe were tested to obtain the material performance parameters. The finite element model of the pipeline was established based on various parameters. The corresponding bending die model was established based on the appearance requirements of typical CNC bending parts, and the CNC bending of the pipes was simulated and analyzed. At a 45° bending angle, the effects of friction coefficient, gap and bending speed on the maximum cross-sectional distortion and maximum outer wall thickness reduction of TA18 titanium alloy tube CNC bending forming were studied. Simulation and experimental results show that when the friction coefficient between the bending die and the pipe is increased while decreasing the friction coefficient between the pressure die/anti-wrinkle die and the pipe, combined with a 0.01 mm gap between the pressure die and the pipe, a bending speed of 0.15–0.5 rad/s, a pressure die feed speed of 8–16 mm/s, and an axial feed speed ratio of 1.1–1.2, the forming quality can be significantly improved. Under these conditions, both the maximum outer wall thickness reduction rate and the cross-sectional ovality distortion rate reach optimal values. The study verifies the necessity of parameters collaborative optimization and provides theoretical guidance for practical process parameters setting.
李宁,孙进,岳常迪,陈琳,葛世伟,王兆强,唐臣升. TA18钛合金管材数控弯曲成形研究[J]. 航空制造技术, 2025, 68(7): 107-116.
LI Ning, SUN Jin, YUE Changdi, CHEN Lin, GE Shiwei, WANG Zhaoqiang,TANG Chensheng. Study on CNC Bending Performance of TA18 Titanium Alloy Pipe[J]. Aeronautical Manufacturing Technology, 2025, 68(7): 107-116.