Numerical analysis of the heating of a die for the extrusion of aluminium alloy profiles in terms of thermochemical treatment

Thermochemical treatment processes are used to produce a surface layer of the workpiece with improved mechanical properties. One of the important parameters during the gas nitriding processes is the temperature of the surface. In thermochemical treatment processes, there is a problem in precisely determining the surface temperature of heat-treated massive components with complex geometries. This paper presents a simulation of the heating process of a die used to extrude aluminium profiles. The maximum temperature differences calculated in the die volume, on the surface and at the most mechanically stressed edge during the extrusion of the aluminum profiles were analysed. The heating of the die was simulated using commercial transient thermal analysis software. The numerical calculations of the die assumed a boundary condition in the form of the heat transfer coefficient obtained from experimental studies in a thermochemical treatment furnace and the solution of the nonstationary and non-linear inverse problem for the heat conduction equation in the cylinder. The die heating analysis was performed for various heating rates and fan settings. Major differences in the surface temperature and in the volume of the heated die were obtained. Possible ways to improve the productivity and control of thermochemical treatment processes were identified. The paper investigates the heating of a die, which is a massive component with complex geometry. This paper indicates a new way to develop methods for the control of thermochemical processing of massive components with complex geometries.