CZ20011171A3 - Method of working billets and bar-like materials produced from metals and metal alloys as well as product made by employing this method - Google Patents

Abstract

This method refers to a method by which the physical and mechanical properties intrinsic to a fine-grain structure may be formed in metal billets using pressure treatment. The method is designed to treat rods, bars and other particularly long billets. This method is designed to lower the cost of deformational treatment for long rods and large diameter billets and creates a pre-specified microstructure, including micro-crystal structure, and specific physical and mechanical properties. This may be achieved using various treatment techniques, one of which includes the deformation of at least a part of the billet through reduction of the billets cross-section. In this method, a long rod shaped billet is used. Reduction of the cross-section is achieved using tools that permit movement along and across the billet's axis as well as being rolled about its surface, for example, a roller. In this case at least one support stand is employed for correct placement of the billet. Additionally, a pre-specified strain level is achieved using at least one of the techniques of deformation: torsion, settling and extension using tools, for example the above-mentioned stand. The stand is designed to apply a specified scheme of deformation to the billet at the deformed (strained) section and at a specified temperature. This obtains specified structure with intrinsic physical and mechanical properties.

Description

METHOD OF PROCESSING SCULPTURES AND RODS

MADE OF METALS AND METAL ALLOYS AND ARTICLES

CREATED IN THIS WAY

Technical field

The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of billets exhibiting specific physical and mechanical properties resulting from their fine-grained structural characteristics. Said method is intended for processing bars, rod blanks and especially long billets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art that characteristic physical and mechanical properties, such as strength and ductility, of a material are dependent on its microstructure. This implies that changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the material may be caused by corresponding changes in the microstructural characteristics. For example, it is usually imperative in the material to provide a mesh microstructure or a fine-grain microstructure in order to increase its strength.

Significant changes in the characteristic physical and mechanical properties of the material can be achieved by refining microcrystalline grains, for example by refining to grains having a dimensional size ranging from 10 to 0.1 µm. Such materials exhibit substantially higher strength characteristics compared to those with a coarse grain structure. At higher temperatures, such materials exhibit low hydrodynamic pressure and higher 4 ductility levels, or even super ductility. In order to create a microcrystalline structure, it may be necessary to use more vigorous deformation procedures compared to the deformation deformation techniques used to create other types of fragmented microstructures, for example sub-granular microstructures.

Known art-known methods for deforming billets or bar billets include symmetrical angular extrusion of profiles and compression twisting. These processes are used to make billets and bar blanks with specific physical and mechanical properties because these processes ensure the formation of known microcrystalline structures. In addition, these processes explicitly allow improved processing of billets and rod blanks with a fine-grained structure of small weights and dimensional sizes. Unfortunately, these methods are highly labor intensive and very energy intensive.

Another method or process for the deformation treatment of metals and metal alloys comprises a deformation which is carried out by carrying out a plurality of cross-section reduction steps, which reduction steps are usually followed by a cross-section increase.

through the steps of a technological process of processing the rod sizes formed and upsetting. This allows for improved, with small dimensional extrusion, of explicitly soft material blanks that exhibit lower physical and mechanical properties.

The technology of billet or bar stock processing requires a significant amount of energy, in particular because it is necessary to apply the force required to overcome the friction generated during multi-engagement of the work surface with the billet being processed and to overcome the hydrostatic pressure generated by the billet. during extrusion, for example during extrusion by swelling. This process is for the manufacture of billets of large size, for example billets in the form of rod-shaped blanks having a length of five to six meters and a minimum diameter of 150 to 200 mm, which are generally made unsuitable and unsatisfactory. Under these circumstances, it is absolutely essential to use machinery including a press capable of applying up to several tens of thousands of tons, as well as suitable and suitable working means. Characteristic rod-shaped blanks with a microcrystalline or granular structure whose grains have a dimensional size of between 3 and 8 µm and a diameter of between 30 and 40 mm are produced using a multi-process process involving operations Forging or rolling, in which billets with a starting diameter of 400 mm or more are processed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The process for processing billets and rods formed from metals and metal alloys proposed in accordance with the present invention provides a reduction in the cost of deformation processing of long rods and elongated billets with a large, initial diameter requiring a specific internal microstructure including a microcrystalline microstructure, and specific physical and mechanical properties. The achievement of said specific internal microstructure can be ensured by various processing techniques, including deformation of the billet section by reducing the billet's cross-section. In performing the reduction of the billet's cross-section, the working means, for example a cylinder, which can be displaced in the longitudinal and transverse direction relative to the billet axis, while rotating about their axis of rotation and rolling on the billet surface. At least one support pedestal may be used for the appropriate placement and accurate positioning and placement of the billets. In addition, using the proposed method, a predetermined degree of deformation and deformation is achieved, which includes elongations corresponding to the aforesaid through deformation drawing, and which working said twisting, upsetting is effected by means such as using such pedestals. By means of the billet, the temperature deformation operations are applied in the region at a predetermined supporting support base to deform a specified section of the deformation deformation operation. Using the described deformation pre-deformation, a specified specific microstructure is obtained with substantial physical and mechanical properties.

In order to effect reduction of the billet's cross-section through the use of a heated metal cylinder, it is recommended to perform it by: applying pressure along the billet axis using supporting bases and fixtures; reducing the billet's cross-section by moving the billet material through rollers in the transverse direction; reducing the billet's cross-section by moving the billet material through rollers in the longitudinal and transverse directions; reducing the billet's cross-section by moving the billet material through rollers whose axes of rotation are arranged to intersect the billet axis at an oblique angle; reducing the billet's cross-section by passing the billet through rollers offset at an angle of 120 ° to each other; and selecting a length of the section to be processed that does not exceed three minimum cross-sectional diameters of the reduced bar blank. In addition, the billet cross-section reduction, which is carried out using a heated metal cylinder, is carried out while applying torsion using support stands and rollers; applying reverse twisting; and applying deformation of the billet cross-section using a shaped cylinder. The contour profile of the profile cylinder comprises a plurality of sections including a central section having the largest cross section; an intermediate section arranged on both sides of the central section having the smallest cross-section; and two end sections.

In an alternative embodiment, the billet reduction method, carried out using a heated metal cylinder, is performed by reducing the billet's cross-section through compression along the longitudinal axis of the billet; or allowing the billet to be rammed following the passage of the billet through the rollers about its transverse axis, in which the amount of compression is not greater than the degree of deformation in the transverse direction for that section achieved during the reduction; or allowing the billet to be rammed following rolling of the billet in the longitudinal and transverse directions about its axis; and or ramming the billet while rolling under the following conditions:

where σ ± represents the stress intensity level acting on the deformed section, the deformation resistance that is generated is determined by taking into account the rolls during rolling processing; and _u represents the stress level caused by a decrease in the structural strength of the billet; and _{e e} the stress level due to compression represents deformation of the unsupported billet sections.

In addition, the reduction of the billet cross-section comprises rolling using a heated metal roll while continuously deforming the length of the billet to be processed in a continuous and continuous sequence; and processing billet sections, wherein the distance between two sections in the case of all sections being processed is not more than three times the billet diameter after processing.

In the processing of billets formed from single-phase metal alloys, the proposed deformation treatment method comprises a deformation of the billet which is carried out with an actual deformation strain of not less than 3, and in particular a deformation strain of 1.4, and a strain rate of 10. ¹ to 10 ² s ^-1 at temperature (0.3 to 0.5) T _me it, where T _me it represents «9« «« «·« * * · · · · · · ♦ ··· ♦ «· The melting point temperature of a single-phase metal alloy. In the processing of billets made of multiphase metal alloys, the billet deformation is performed with an actual strain strain of not less than 3, and in particular with a strain strain of 1.4, and a strain rate of 10 ' ¹ to 10 ~ ⁴ s ^{- 1} at a temperature of (0.5 to 0.85) T _{mei tz} where T _meit represents the melting point of the multiphase metal alloy.

In the processing of billets formed from titanium alloy with lamellar microstructure, the proposed billet deformation treatment method, which is carried out with an actual degree of deformation not less than 3, involves the reduction or application of rolling and upset twisting that occurs simultaneously with rolling. Said process steps are carried out in addition to reducing, upsetting and deforming at a temperature of 700 - T _a . _t . and with a strain rate of 10 ¹ to 10 ⁴ s ^-1 , where T _a . _t . represents the temperature of allotropic transformation. When treating sections of billet formed from titanium alloys with lamellar microstructure, the proposed deformation treatment method is carried out by reducing with a reduction of not less than 1.1 times the cross section at a temperature T _a . _t , -T _and . _t . + (10-50), then the treated sections are subjected to cooling at a rate of not less than 1 ° / s, followed by the steps of applying twisting and upsetting at a temperature of not more than 700-T _a . _t., and the strain rate of 10 ^-1 to 10 ^-4 s ^_1.

In the processing of billets made of refractory nickel alloys, the proposed method involves deformation at temperatures not higher than the total dissolution temperature of the γ'-phase; deforming each section of billet in the range

up to 20% of the predetermined temperature and at a specified degree of deformation such that the change in sliding stress a _{f is} not more than 5% to 10%; and deforming each section of billet within a range of 10% to 20% of a predetermined temperature and at a predetermined degree of strain ξ until the variation in the degree of strain causes an increase in the coefficient m of the sensitivity rate, m = (log Ni - log N ₂ ) / (log ξι - log ξ ₂ ), up to 0.3 to 0.8; where Ni and N ₂ represent the magnitude of the compressive action (ie, according to the corresponding deformation, the torque, compression pressure, or elongation force) that is applied to the billet to be processed before and after the degree of deformation from ξι to ξ ₂ .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further elucidated and explained on the basis of a detailed description of examples of specific embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

a schematic representation of an apparatus for carrying out the method proposed according to the present invention and its individual components;

1 is a front cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIGS. 3A-3H show a schematic representation of the method proposed in accordance with the present invention, indicating the steps of the method;

a schematic representation of a device proposed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 5 micrograph BT8 alloy microstructures before processing; sample and titanium Fig. 6 micrograph microstructure sample titanium

of the alloy of FIG. 5 after processing by the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In carrying out the method proposed according to the present invention, the billet section to be processed is subjected to a geometrical reduction of the initial reinforcement by reducing the cross-section using rollers. The proposed method is used for deformation processing of billet including parts of its central section. In addition, the proposed method provides the conditions for further desired processing. The applied deformation according to the proposed method is not distributed over or distributed over the whole billet range. Instead, said deformation is localized to preselected billet areas according to the proposed method. Accordingly, the desired structural changes in billet material can only be made in certain, specifically selected, billet areas or sections. A number of different technological processes are used to implement the proposed method.

004 «0000 • 0 00 Φ Φ · 0 · 0 φ φ ·« φφφφ

JednotlivýchΦ · · Φ0 φφ · ♦ φ and individual deformation deformation steps, including rolling, drawing, elongation, compression, and shear deformation (twisting). In addition, the extent, magnitude and predominant deformation direction aids in and supports the formation of structural changes in the billet material.

The temperature that is used to create a predetermined, specific microstructure with guaranteed physical and mechanical properties provides the ability to localize the deformation to only certain pre-selected areas. The magnitude of this temperature depends on the extent of the thermal reduction of the initial material hardening. This temperature, applied and applied to the respective billet sections, as well as any variation of this temperature, may result in the formation of various specific microstructures, for example a microcrystalline structure, resulting from initial dynamic recrystallization by deformation of the subject material. The formation of a given microcrystalline structure can take place over a wide temperature range. The choice of temperature or temperature range for the heat treatment of the billet section or of the billet as a whole depends on the material from which the billet is formed or the microstructure required for processing in this way. For example, in processing to achieve a fine grain structure in metals and in single-phase metal alloys, the corresponding deformation deformation, as compared to processing of multi-phase alloy and multi-phase metal materials, takes place at lower temperatures.

The deformation deformation method proposed in accordance with the present invention typically comprises reducing billet by rolling, and further comprises one processing operation selected from:

applied twisted, upset, or extended.

The deformation processing process and the extent to which this process is used depend on at least one of the following parameters:

the intensity and degree of strain, the desired microstructure, the initial composition of the material from which the billet is processed, the initial shape configuration and the size of the billet, and the final shape configuration and the size of the billet.

When processing a billet with a relatively small cross-section, generally only one deformation treatment step is applied. For example, in order to reduce the grain size in the billet surface layer, as compared to its central section, twist may be applied to the billet with a small cross-section. The twisting can also be used when no changes in the billet's cross-section are required. Elongation and upsetting may be used to achieve a more uniform microstructure in the billet cross-section. When using the upsetting process, a rod blank with a cross-section is formed by deformation treatment, which is either substantially or larger than the cross-section of the starting stock. In contrast, the elongation used in conjunction with upsetting can produce a billet with a smaller cross-section compared to said initial billet cross-section compared to the initial billet cross-section.

Twisting may be applied to create a uniform, homogeneous microstructure over a given billet cross section without the use of elongation or upsetting, provided that said application is twisted " 9 " Performed at temperatures close to those at which super-plastic deformation (SPD) occurs. In view of this fact, this processing procedure simultaneously reduces the given grain size. During the twisting application, the respective changes take place in the inner regions of the billet, while in the outer layers, no significant changes occur due to the known characteristics of super-plastic deformation (SPD). Said processing steps result in the formation of a uniform fine-grained microstructure over the entire cross-section of the billet.

In order to process bar stock with a relatively large cross-section, it may be. several technological processes (or steps) of deformation processing were used. Such processes may be applied to the workpiece to be processed either sequentially or simultaneously. Multiple or combined deformation deformation processes performed simultaneously reduce the axial pressure during the respective processing. In addition, the processing of one and the same section may be performed repeatedly by re-applying the preceding combination of the deformation deformation steps or using a specific modified combination of the individual process steps. For example, lowering the heating temperature during a subsequent heat treatment may result in a finer fine-grained microstructure, as compared to a microstructure that could be achieved with just one and the same heat treatment. The overall result of the combination of different processing techniques is to achieve variable deformation characteristics. Accordingly, the processes carried out on the basis of these processes are sufficient to achieve the desired results

4 44 44 ♦ 44 · 4 *

4 4 4 4

4 4 4 4

4 · 4 44 ·· • 4 • 4 • * 4 and specific physical and mechanical properties of billets.

The individual technological processes and the extent to which they use to achieve a predetermined specific microstructure may be influenced by the deformation characteristics of the material. For materials which are susceptible to deformation, i.e., susceptible to localization in which they occur in a concentrated manner, i.

only which are, for example, titanium to the respective deformations in certain areas, and alloys, it may be necessary to carry out billet processing using several technological simultaneously. Such simultaneous processing of deformation deformation. The processing utilizes also for low-level alloys such as refractory nickel processes performed to increase the homogeneity of similar ductility of the alloy.

for example

In the case of these refractory nickel alloys, such processing results in an increased homogeneity in increasing the deformability of the billets. In addition to the deformation resulting in the alloy formed therein, it is possible to process materials with a wide variety of creep systems, such as single-phase nickel alloy materials, using at least one of the aforementioned technological process.

such as

Economic efficiency and economy of the method

To determine the power consumption of the invention, extensive deformation processing of dimensionally small billets is required to convert the coarse grain proposed in accordance with the present amount of processed materials, microstructure to the desired fine-grained microstructure. Such large-scale processing of relatively small billets can be relatively deformed. ######################

9 9 9 9 9 · · 9 999 99 999 99 99 999 can be carried out using combined and repeated technology processes, such as extruding and ramming billet. Unfortunately, such procedures are very intensive and energy intensive. Another energy-consuming technological process is the complex transformation of billets by forging, which is often used to achieve the desired homogeneous fine-grained microstructure. In addition, multiple billet heating may be required in conjunction with these processes because this heat treatment and single heating will not result in a uniform grain size reduction in the materials being processed. Multiple heating is very energy intensive and energy consuming, and must be done in combination with multiple fittings requiring billet ramming in alternating compression directions. Processing using this method results in the formation of a billet having sections with significant deformation, sections with minor, not very substantial deformation, and sections in which there is essentially no deformation deformation and which show no such deformation deformation. The described type of deformation distribution, since deformation recovery occurs in the deformation treatment of the sections subjected, leads to excessive energy consumption. This is because more energy has to be used for the processing in order to accumulate the structural disturbances that are necessary and necessary to achieve recrystallization.

In carrying out the method of the present invention, the billet deformation is concentrated to certain areas. As a result, in such concentrated areas, compared to standard upsetting and forging, it may be desirable to provide the desired tamping and forging.

ΦΦ φ φ · Φ ΦΦΦ · φ · · · · Φφ φ

ΦΦΦΦ · ΦΦΦΦ · · ·

- 15 ”recrystallization density of dislocations is achieved much faster. In addition, the energy consumption necessary to overcome the frictional forces will also be reduced. This reduction in energy consumption is achieved because the surface friction of the material flow that occurs during extrusion and upsetting is replaced by rolling friction through the use of rollers.

The savings in raw material resulting from the use of the processing method of the present invention, as opposed to the forging process, result from a reduction in the number of manufacturing steps necessary to achieve the desired, predetermined microstructure. The proposed method may comprise a single step deformation treatment process such that material losses due to repeated heating and rapid recrystallization separation are eliminated. In addition, the method of the present invention explicitly allows the production of billets that are devoid of insignificant reduction in their cross-sectional diameters. In addition, it is possible to process rod blanks of small starting diameter, rather than using a forging process, by the method of the present invention. In this state, it is possible to avoid processing of billets of large diameters which exhibit insufficient chemical homogeneity, phase homogeneity and grain uniformity for said purposes.

The method proposed according to the present invention requires neither large and cumbersome machinery nor large forming presses to carry out the process. For example, _r forces that are necessary to achieve the respective upsetting are less than those required for standard upsetting. In addition, the proposed method can be used for bar blanks with a precise shape profile, such as pol · φ · φ · · · · · · φ · · · · φ · φ · φ · · φφφ φφ φ · φφφ their surface curvature and perimeter. Further, the proposed method promotes material savings, and the rolling used in it improves shape and profile accuracy, and surface cleanliness (also known in the art as surface quality or finish).

The process according to the present invention allows the production of long rods of large diameter having the desired physical and mechanical properties, which correspond to those of a fine-grained material. Specifically, this method allows the production of shafts or rods, one section of which exhibits increased heat resistance or heat resistance as a result of a relatively coarse-grained structure, and whose other sections exhibit high strength characteristics, which in turn result from grain refinement. In addition, the method of the present invention allows processing of billets with different cross-sectional sizes, different diameters, and different lengths, while being able to maintain the initial dimensional size of the billets to be processed throughout the processing.

The following examples of methods proposed according to the present invention. provide a billet having a material having adequate ductility, comprising: rolling and applying an extension force in the direction of the billet axis during reduction to suppress the formation of the ridges of the material caused by the displacement of the rollers; rolling the billets by means of at least three rollers, which can be spaced 120 ° relative to each other, by means of lateral hydrostatic back-up; applying reverse torsion as soon as changes in deformation direction and increase in creep are apparent; and reducing

By applying compression in the direction of the billet's axis. In addition, upsetting steps can be performed simultaneously with the rolling.

The following procedures (steps) may be used to increase the strength of the billet during processing: ramming the billet after rolling about its transverse axis at which the extent of compression in the transverse direction should not be greater than the amount of deformation in the transverse direction; and upsetting performed simultaneously with rolling under the following conditions:

> σ ± <σ _θ .

Other methods that are proposed according to the present invention include: upsetting after rolling around the billet axis in the longitudinal and transverse directions; continuous and continuous deformation of the billet length by deformation under pressure; and rolling the billet by rollers whose axes of rotation are offset from each other by an angle of 120 ° and intersect the billet axis at an oblique angle.

By deforming the billet section having a length of no more than three billet diameters, it is possible to create structurally inhomogeneous billet sections. The end sections of the billet will have a fine-grained microstructure, while the central sections will have a coarse-grained microstructure. Following upsetting, the billet thus treated may be formed into homogeneous disks by shaping.

Particular embodiments of the method of the present invention include heating to a predetermined temperature to form the fine-grained microstructure and subjecting the workpiece to a specified strain strain e _tr at a specified strain rate. For the purpose of (sub-grains), obtaining a material with small deformation by deformed grains is the amount of deformation strain

8 _tr = O / ³

0,6 where e _tr represents the real strain strain.

In the case of grain refinement up to 10 μιη, the strain strain should be 8 _tr 3 3, whereas for the formation of a sub crystalline or nanocrystalline microstructure, the strain strain value is 8 _tr h 5. This implies that a larger strain strain corresponds to smaller grain sizes.

For single-phase metal or alloy materials, lower heating temperatures can be used since the grain growth characteristics are different from those of multiphase materials. The microstructure of the multiphase materials is more stable, so that the dissolution temperature, which suppresses grain growth, defines the upper temperature limit used for processing. The lower temperature limit is defined by the diffusion activity of the material. For example, in the treatment of refractory nickel alloys, the heating temperatures are 0.5 T _{mei t} , where T _{mei t} represents the melting point of the alloy as well as the dissolution temperature for strengthening the intermetallic phase. For billets formed of a titanium alloy, therefore, the heating temperature is defined by a temperature _(T .T. - 150 ° C), where T _and t. represents the temperature of allotropic transformation.

Deformation speed achieved in accordance with method. * 9 99 99 9

999 · 999 9,999

9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

999 99 999 99 99 999 proposed according to the present invention, corresponds to the conditions of the state of superformability due to the fact that the course of the respective transformations is intensified. In the case of titanium alloys, several deformation deformation techniques can be used simultaneously to achieve complete conversion to a fine-grain structure. These procedures may include applying twisting, rolling, and upsetting. Another method which is in accordance with the method proposed according to the present invention relates to the processing of large cross-section bars made of titanium alloys and consists of heating the billet to a temperature T _a . _t . ~ Ta.t. + (10 ^- 50) ° C, followed by reducing its cross-section by 1.5 to 2 times. The section to be treated is then cooled, either in a conventional manner or at high speed, the cooling rate being not less than 1 ° C / s. It is then possible to apply twisting and upsetting, for example by means of rollers, carried out at a temperature not greater than the temperature T _and t. This procedure increases the workability and causes the formation of fine α-phase grain colonies. Furthermore, this process during deformation treatment at temperatures below the allotropic transformation temperature promotes the formation of a more uniformly dispersed microstructure.

Furthermore, the method proposed according to the present invention allows the monitoring of the mechanical parameters and deformation deformation characteristics, such as, for example, the sliding stress sensitivity coefficient Of. This coefficient is monitored during drawing, extension, and compression processing. By precisely and precisely monitoring the individual processing stages during the twisting application, it is basically possible to precisely estimate the beginning and the course of the transformation of the initial structure to the desired one. · * Φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ · Microcrystalline structure. If the coefficient m is greater than 0.3 or a further increase in the strain pressure no longer causes any substantial changes, then this means that all the substantial changes are already complete and that a fine-grained microstructure has formed.

Examples of method implementation

Giant. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings illustrate, by way of example, an aggregate or apparatus that is used to carry out the respective steps of the method proposed according to the present invention. This apparatus comprises a supporting frame 7, a heating furnace 2, and three rolling rolls 3, 4, and 5. These rolling rolls are introduced into their operating position in the heating furnace by sliding them through the heating furnace inlets 6, 7, and 8. In addition, the apparatus comprises hydraulic cylinders 9, 10, and 11 which serve to move the cylinders into a functional position for performing transverse deformation. Said device further comprises a sliding slide 12 which is arranged in the base frame or in the base plate 13 and which is arranged so that it can be moved incrementally or stepwise in the guides 14 and 15 formed in the base frame 13. Supporting frame structure 1 The apparatus further comprises movable support bases 21 and 22, which are housed in the bodies of the clamps 23 and 24. These clamps are by means of a bearing arrangement 16 and 17, the gear wheels 18 and 19 of the drive gear train, and the drive 20. of the respective bearing housings 25, 26, 27, and 28 arranged and housed in respective housings of the left and right shabs 29 and 30 respectively. · ··· ·································································································· € The end sections 31 and 32 of the clamps 23 and 24 act as clamping jaws during the deformation of the billets by twisting and extending. The mechanism for gripping and clamping the billets between the clamping jaws is not shown in Fig. 1. Said apparatus is additionally provided with drives 34 and 35 for driving and actuating the movable support bases 21 and 22 and for loading the billets 33 with axial forces. The drives 36 and 37 are in turn adapted to drive and actuate the clamps 23 and 24 with the clamping jaws 31 and 32 respectively. The respective torsional forces for application to the billet 33 are provided and secured by the electric motors 38 and 39 through the operation of the gearboxes 40 and 41 , 43, 44, and 45, and paired pairs of gears 46 and 47, 48 and 49 of the power transmission.

Giant. Figures 3 to 3H of the accompanying drawings illustrate, by way of example, the basic principles and procedures of the billet processing method proposed in accordance with the present invention. It can be seen from the figures that the support legs 21 and 22 can be displaced along the billet in the direction of its axis, and that these support legs simultaneously permit the application of reverse twisting, which is effected by clamping jaws 31 and 32, and three rollers 3, 4 and 5, spaced apart from each other by an angle of 120 °. The cylinder 5 is not shown in FIGS. 3A-3H.

Giant. 4 is a schematic representation of the operation of the device. The support plies 51a may be displaced along an illustrative sample

of the workpiece blank in the direction of its longitudinal axis and explicitly allows, through the clamping jaws 53 and 54, to apply reverse twist. The heating furnace 55 is provided with a heat source through which the billet is heated. The groove recesses 57 and 58 are provided at the end ends 50 of the billet to support the transfer of movement during twisting. The inserts 59 and 60 simulate the function of the rollers therein to stabilize the billet position during upsetting and enclose the workpiece section 56. The clamping sleeve 61 provides stabilization and maintenance of the respective positions of the inserts 59 and 60 during the upsetting and twisting steps. Said clamping sleeve 61 and inserts 59 and 60 are made of a softer and more pliable material compared to the billet processing material.

Example 1.

According to the present invention, the proposed method is carried out using the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1. A detailed explanation of this method will be made with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3H. The billet bar configuration is a profile whose length is several times greater than its width. Before starting to process the billet, the billet is deposited on the supporting bases 21 and 22 and then gripped and clamped between the clamping jaws of the clamps 23 and 24. The cylinders 3, 4 and 5 together with the heating furnace 2 are moved by a slide 12 of the base frame 13, move to the area of the billet section to be processed. Said heating furnace 2 is shown only schematically in the attached figures.

·· ·· ·

The choice of the billet section to be processed is unlimited. However, the choice of a given section depends on the purpose for which the processed section or billet will be used. In the case where the section to be processed is to be the central section of the billets 33, the end sections of the billets are then placed on the supporting bases 21 and 22 and supported and clamped by the clamping jaws of the clamps 23 and 24. If the processing of the whole billet 33 is desired, the heating furnace 2 and the rollers 3, 4, 5 are then moved from one end of the billet, e.g. the other end. In this case, said rollers act as supporting bases.

After the billets 33 have been heated to the deformation temperature, the billet is rotated by means of electric motors 38, 39, gearboxes 40, 41, and paired pairs of gears 46-49 of the drive transmission. The reduction of the billet's cross-section is effected by rolling the respective billet sections as a result of the displacement of the rollers in the direction of the billet's transverse axis. Said displacement can be effected, for example, by the action of the hydraulic cylinders 9, 10, 11. To improve the reduction of billet ends and to prevent the formation of ridges in the reduction of unsupported surface sections, the axes of rotation of the rollers intersect the billet axis at oblique angles. In this case, the applied force is oriented along the billet axis. This force ensures the displacement of a portion of the material of the billet section to be processed along its axis. The magnitude of this displacement equals the transverse displacement of the rollers. Giant. 3C (attached drawings)

• ·· • «e • a · ·· · · * · <· ·· • · · • · · ♦ • e · · » • O <9 <· ♦ • • · · • ♦ · 3 · ·· φ · ·· ·· «*

shows, for example, a partial reduction of a section whose location is not located at the end of the billet. The extension or torsion forces F are applied to the billet by means of the clamping jaws 31, 32. As in the previous case, this also does not create ridge ridges and since the pressing and action of the rollers and clamping jaws ensures their displacement towards the respective end of billet. Also, as in the previous case, the magnitude of this displacement equals the amount of metal displaced by the action of the rollers. In the aforementioned FIG. 3C, this displacement is indicated, for example, by a dashed line. The reduction length of the subject section is limited to that portion of the billet that has been subjected to heating up to the deformation temperature. Giant. The 3D drawing shows, for example, that the length of the reduced section is greater than the width of the rollers. At the ends of the billet, torques M, which exhibit oppositely oriented forces, are applied. Said torques M ensure plastic torsion of the section to be processed (see FIG. 3E). During plastic torsion, the surface is rolled simultaneously, after which, after the torsion and depending on the cross-sectional size of the bar stock, the rolls together with the heating furnace are either displaced along the billet axis or the upsetting step is applied. Then, if necessary, the processing of the next section begins.

Moving to a new billet section for processing may be accomplished by progressively pulling the rollers transversely away from the billet, relocating the rollers along the billet axis and positioning them accordingly, and applying appropriate steps to the next billet segment by moving the rollers along the billet axis. The axes of rotation of the rollers make oblique angles to the billet axis and at the same time cause the rollers to be displaced relative to the billet in the longitudinal and transverse directions while applying the extension forces applied.

Upsetting is accomplished by applying compression pressures P to the billet to be processed. Along with this upsetting, the rolling of the billet section is performed in order to ensure homogeneity of the deformation deformation. Various steps may be used for upsetting.

One of these steps is shown by way of example in Figures 3D to 3E of the accompanying drawings. Even before the upsetting, the rollers are moved towards one end of the billet, for example towards the right end. As a result, a gap δ is formed between the rollers and the left side of the billet. The positioning of the right side of the rollers and the right support frame is firmly fixed. The left support frame is then displaced by Δ. Said dimension is sufficient to effect, by applying compression pressure P, upsetting the left side of the billet section being processed. This upsetting is continued and maintained until the gap δ is completely eliminated.

Upsetting can also be carried out over the entire length of the billet section to be processed. The support bases, together with the displacement force, apply a compression pressure P to the billet being processed. In addition, the rollers are displaced in the transverse direction and to an appropriate extent, thereby increasing the diameter of the deformed section for rolling the billet surface and preventing the formation of a barrel-shaped profile. In order to reduce the deformation stress and increase the homogeneity of the deformation, the relevant billet section is processed simultaneously by applying plastic twisting and upsetting. Upsetting can also be applied simultaneously with the aforementioned rolling. This procedure is continued until all designated sections of billet located between the support pedestals have been adequately processed, as can be seen from Figures 3F and 3G of the accompanying drawings. The front end of the billet is processed using the same steps that are applied at the beginning of billet processing. The steps of ramming the billet end are exemplified in Fig. 3H.

Example 2

Several different metal alloys were processed using the process of the present invention. These treatments were carried out with a structural titanium BT8 alloy. Titanium (α + β) in conjunction with a two-phase initial coarse slat! alloys tend to concentrate deformation in certain areas, however, the α-phase lamellas are sufficiently stable. Accordingly, these alloys do not form a homogeneous microcrystalline structure as easily as the refractory nickel alloys. In addition to BT8 alloy, multi-phase refractory nickel alloy YI962 was processed. In order to reduce costs, processing was carried out on samples of alloys having a diameter of 15 mm and a length of 50 mm and using the apparatus as shown in FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

Example 2.1

During these treatments, the formation of the respective specific microstructures, including a homogeneous microcrystalline globular structure, was investigated in one section of the sample formed from the biphasic BT8 titanium alloy. Several have been created for this purpose. By default, these samples show lamellae! microstructure (see Fig. 5). The dimensional size of the transformed β-phase grains is 1500 to 2000 µm, and the α-phase grain colonies have a range of 200 to 300 µm. The treatment section has a diameter and a length of 10 mm.

During compression, the cross-sectional dimensional size of the workpiece approached its initial diameter. Samples 1, 2, and 3 were processed using the method of the present invention at 950 ° C; Sample 4 was processed under the conditions of Table 1. Table 1 also shows the results of the processing.

Table 1 Vz.č .: CONDITIONS FOR PROCESSING RESULTS OF PROCESSING 1 Reduction of the selected section by upsetting with a true strain of 1 Bent and fragmented plates with partially globular structure similar to structure 2 Twisting of the reduced section at two turns followed by actual upsetting deformation strain equal to 1 The value of the total deformation strain of the billet is 3 85% globular structure with an average grain size of 5 μΠΤΊ 3 Twisting of the reduced section at eight turns and upsetting with a true strain of 1 The total deformation strain of the billet is 8.5 Creating a globular structure of 95% with an average grain size of 5 μΓη 4 Twisting of the reduced section at eight turns and upsetting with a true strain of 1 Creating a homogeneous globular structure over the entire cross-section

The total deformation strain of the billet is 8.5

Example 2.2

This treatment was carried out in conjunction with a refractory nickel alloy and aimed to create a microcrystalline structure in the alloy using the process and process steps of the present invention. A sample of coarse refractory nickel alloy (YI962) with an average grain size of 100 µm, was mounted and clamped, as can be seen in Figures 3A to 3H, into the respective clamping jaws of the fixtures. The sample was then heated to 1080 ° C. After heating, plastic twisting was applied to the sample.

The twisting was applied until the processed sample was no longer stable - ie up to 5% of the average strength. Upsetting was carried out until the diameter of the section to be treated was approximately equal to its starting diameter. Torsion was applied simultaneously with the application of the strain stress. The average total degree of strain was 3.8. Metallographic analysis of the sample thus treated showed that a micro-duplex microstructure was formed with mother grain sizes of 3 to 4 µm and intermetallic phase grain sizes of 1 to 2 µm. The process of the present invention has provided grain refinement in various materials. Moreover, this method confirmed that it is possible to produce a structurally inhomogeneous billet.

Example 2.3

A sample formed from a titanium alloy (BT8) with a lamellar structure was subjected to processing. Through this treatment, an inhomogeneous structure is formed in an area having a diameter of 15 mm and a length of 20 mm. The microstructure in the front region (i.e., a microstructure located approximately 5 mm from the ends of the billet) should be a microcrystalline microstructure, while the central section exhibits a coarse grain with a lamellar microstructure. Two 10 mm lengths, spaced 20 mm apart, are treated in the same way as in Example 2.1. The center section is then separated by cutting. The sample is then subjected to upsetting. The degree of strain is 80% and the strain rate used is 10 ^-3 s ¹ at 950 ° C. For comparison purposes, a billet having a homogeneous coarse-grained structure is processed under the same conditions by upsetting. The results show that there are no barrel-shaped and deformed areas in the structurally inhomogeneous sample at all, while at the same time a globular homogeneous microstructure is formed. In contrast, the sample with a homogeneous coarse-grained structure exhibits barrel-shaped areas in the front side sections without deformation and without forming a globular microstructure. This Example demonstrates the advantages of the method proposed according to the present invention.

The theoretical results obtained and the choice of processing procedure according to the proposed method in the case of processing billets along their entire length

The processing of large diameter billets along their entire length is very costly and, accordingly, different conditions and process steps have been selected for the purpose of making the necessary theoretical conclusions in the manner proposed in the present invention. Thus, the necessary parameters such as the required processing time, magnitude of applied deformation force, and magnitude of the necessary initial deformation pressure to initiate adequate upsetting were selected without encountering problems associated with a decrease in the structural strength of the billet. The results obtained suggest that the method proposed according to the present invention may comprise several deformation deformation steps which may be applied simultaneously. For example, applying reduction, elongation and upsetting simultaneously with applying torsion may provide a finely divided grain structure. The steps of maintaining deformation to refine the grain as well as reducing the axial pressure provide the desired results. For example, during the twisting application, the amount of upsetting pressure of a given billet section having a diameter ranging from 100 to 250 mm is less than 10 tons at a strain rate of 5 mm / min, and 60 tons at a strain rate of 50 mm / min. min. For upsetting without twisting, the size may be 3 to 5 times larger for the application of the required pressure. For purposes of comparison, rod blanks having a diameter of 100 to 250 mm, made of a refractory nickel alloy and a titanium alloy with a microcrystalline structure, can be produced using extrusion (pressing) and applying a strain force of several thousand tons. Appropriate calculations show that upsetting in combination with twisting provides deformation of the billet without reducing the structural strength of the billet. In view of the above, the deformation forces required for application are smaller

than the critical force that causes the billets to bend. Therefore, the magnitude of sufficient torque necessary for the deformation of billets with a diameter of 100 to 300 mm is 1 to 14 tm.

The formation time of the fine-grained microstructure in the 100 mm long section of the workpiece at the aforementioned strain rate is 2 to 10 minutes, and for a 2 meter long rod, with a diameter of 100 to 300 mm, is approximately 2 hours. These times are comparable to the processing times of billets with a diameter of 200 mm and lengths of 400 to 500 mm by isothermal forging.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various combinations of features, variations, and improvements can be made from the foregoing without departing from the essential teachings of the invention. of the claimed scope of the present invention.

Claims (49)

PATENT CLAIMS A method of treating metals% of metal alloys, comprising deforming at least a portion of billets by reducing its cross-section, characterized in that said method comprises: providing an elongated billet of rod configuration; reduction of billet cross-section by moving billet material in longitudinal and transverse directions "V. relative to its axis; rolling the billets around its perimeter surface; providing at least one support stand for aligning and positioning the billets; applying deformation at a predetermined level of deformation, wherein the deformation applying step comprises deforming the billets, and the deforming step is selected from: applying torsion and subjecting the billets to elongation forces, the support pedestal being adapted to subject the billets to a deformation at a temperature sufficient to provide a microstructure with substantial physical and mechanical properties. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reducing the billet's cross-section comprises applying a pressure action along the billet axis by means of supporting bases and clamping jaws. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reducing the billet's cross-section comprises - rolling billets by rollers in the transverse direction. 'to 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of reducing the billet &apos; s cross-section comprises rolling the billets by rollers in the longitudinal and transverse directions. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reducing the transverse rolling of the billets and generating characterized in that the billet cross-section comprises forces oriented at an angle by rollers having axes of the billet axis at an oblique angle. with respect to the billets of rotation they intersect with The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reducing the billet's cross-section comprises passing the billets through three rollers arranged at an angle of 120 ° relative to each other. The method of claim 1, wherein the length of the deformed billet does not exceed three minimum diameters of the reduced cross-section of the bar stock. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reducing billets comprises applying compression in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the billets. The method of claim 1, wherein the deforming step comprises applying torsion comprising the use of support stands and rollers. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying reverse twist. • · - 34 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of deforming by means of a plurality of sections comprises billets comprising rolling a cylinder having a shape profile comprising a central section having the largest cross section, an intermediate section disposed on both sides of the central section having the smallest cross section. ; and two end sections. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of ramming the billets carried out by roll rolling around its transverse axis, wherein the deformed billet section is displaced relative to the deformation of the billet section in the transverse direction. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the upsetting step is carried out after the rolling step around the billet axis in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the upsetting step is carried out simultaneously with rolling the billets by means of rollers under the following conditions: where σ ± represents the stress intensity level applied to the deformed section, determined taking into account the deformation resistance generated by the rolls during rolling processing; o _u represents the stress level caused by the decrease in the structural strength of the billets; and σ _β represents the stress level caused by compression of the deformation of the unsupported billet sections. 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of deforming the billets is applied continuously - 35 in a continuous sequence. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation of the respective sections of the billet formed of a single-phase metal alloy is carried out with an actual strain rate of not less than 3, and in particular with a strain rate of 1.4, s. strain rate of 10 ¹ to 10 ^"2 s ^-1 at a temperature of (0.3 to 0.5) T where T itz _{Me Me} and _t represents the melting temperature of the corresponding alloy. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation of the respective sections of the billet formed of the multiphase metal alloy is carried out with an actual strain rate of not less than 3, and in particular with a strain rate of 1,4, and a strain rate 10 ^-1 to 10 ⁴ sec ^_1 at a temperature of (0.5 to 0.85) and _methyl T where _{T my} IT. represents the melting point of the alloy. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the deformation of respective sections of the billet formed from a titanium alloy with a lamellar microstructure with an actual degree of strain of not less than 3 is performed by the steps of applying reduction and torsion simultaneously with rolling wherein said method further comprises a ramming step performed simultaneously with the rolling step, and a deforming step at a temperature of 700 - T _a . _t . and strain rate of 10 ^"1 to 10 ^{4 _1,} where T _and .t. represents the allotxopic transformation temperature. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the deformation of respective sections of the billet formed from a titanium alloy with a lamellar microstructure with an actual strain rate of not less than 3 is performed by a reduction step, and that the step of applying twisting. is carried out simultaneously with the rolling step, the method further comprising a ramming step carried out simultaneously with the rolling step, and furthermore the steps of applying torsion and straightening performed during the reduction, upsetting and deforming steps at a temperature of 700 T _and t. and with a strain rate of 10 ” ¹ to 10 ^-4 s ¹ . 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the deformation of respective sections of the billet formed from titanium alloys with a lamellar microstructure, with a reduction of not less than 1.1 times the cross-section, is carried out at a temperature T _a . _t . - T _a . _t . + (10-50), then the treated sections are subjected to cooling at a rate of not less than 1 ° / s, followed by the steps of applying torsion and upset at a temperature of not more than 700-T _a .t. and with a strain rate of 10 ' ¹ to 10 ~ ⁴ s ^-1 . Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the deformation of the respective sections of the billet formed of refractory nickel alloys is carried out at a temperature not greater than the total dissolution temperature of the γ'-phase. The method of claim 1, wherein the billet deformation is carried out until the one-time increment of the strain deformation is within the range of 10-20% of a predetermined temperature and strain degree, while simultaneously causing a change in the sliding stress and _f greater than 5 to 10%. 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the billet is subjected to deformation at a predetermined temperature and strain degree ξ until changing the strain strain causes an increase in the sensitivity coefficient (m), wherein m = (log N _x - log N ₂ ) / (log ξι - log ξ ₂ ), up to a size between 0.3 and 0.8; where Ni and N ₂ represent the magnitude of compressive action selected from torque, compression pressure, or elongation force applied to the billet before and after the change of the strain strain ξ from the ξι degree to the ξ ₂ degree. 24. A method comprising deforming at least a portion of billets by reducing its cross-section, said method comprising: securing billets; reducing billets by moving the billet material; rolling of billets; providing at least one support base for aligning, positioning and subjecting the billets to deformation; applying deformation at a predetermined level of deformation, wherein the deformation applying step comprises deforming the billets, and the deforming step is selected from: applying torsion and subjecting the billets to elongation forces, the support pedestal being adapted to subject the billets to a deformation at a temperature sufficient to provide a microstructure with substantial physical and mechanical properties. 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of reducing the cross section of the billet applying a pressure action. includes The method of claim 24, wherein the step of reducing the cross rolling of the billet. characterized by. cross section of billet includes 27 Mar: The method of claim 24 wherein the step of reducing billet cross-section comprises rolling the billet in the longitudinal and transverse directions. 28. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of reducing billet cross-section comprises rolling the billet and generating forces oriented at an angle to the billet. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of reducing billet cross-section comprises rolling the billet through a plurality of rollers. The method of claim 24, wherein the length of the deformed billet does not exceed three minimum diameters of the reduced cross-section of the bar stock. The method of claim 24, wherein the billet reducing step comprises applying compression in the direction of the billet longitudinal axis. The method of claim 24, denoting s e by that the deforming step comprises applying twisting • The method of claim 24, denouncing s e by that further comprising the step of applying reverse twisting. The method of claim 24, denouncing s e by wherein the step of deforming the billet comprises a rolling step. 35. The method of claim 24, wherein the rolling step comprises rolling using rollers comprising a plurality of rolling sections including a central section having the largest cross section, an intermediate section arranged on both sides of the central section having the smallest cross section; and two end sections. 36. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of ramming the billet carried out after rolling by rolling, wherein the deformed billet section is displaced relative to the billet section deformation in the transverse direction. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the upsetting step is performed subsequent to the billet rolling step in the longitudinal and transverse directions. 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the upsetting step is performed simultaneously with rolling the billet. The method of claim 38, wherein the rolling step is performed under the following conditions: cju> σ _χ / Qe! where σι represents the level of deformed section that has the deformation resistance generated by rolling processing; o _{in the case of} σ _β , the stress intensity is determined by acting on the rollers during the stress level by the structural strength decrease by the billet stress level; and compressing the deformation of the unsupported billet sections. 40. The method of claim 24, wherein the billet deforming step is applied continuously and in a continuous sequence. 41. The method of claim 24, wherein the billet section that deforms formed of a single-phase metal alloy real strain is not less than 3 and especially is made with a size of deformation of 1.4, and 10 ^"2 s ¹ at (0.3 to 0.5) the melting point of the alloy. with a strain rate of 10 ^l to Tmeitr where Tmeit represents Method according to claim 24, characterized in that the deformation of the respective sections of the billet formed of the multiphase metal alloy is carried out with an actual deformation degree of not less than 3, and in particular with a strain strain of 1.4, and a strain rate 10 ^'1 to 10 ^-4 s ^_1 at (0.5 to 0.85) T where T itz _{me my} IT represents the melting point of the respective alloys. 43. The method of claim 24, wherein the deformation of the respective sections of the billet formed from the titanium alloy with lamellar microstructure, with an actual degree of deformation not less than 3, is performed by the steps of applying reduction and twisting simultaneously with rolling, the method further comprising a ramming step performed simultaneously with the rolling step, and a deforming step at a temperature of 700 - T _a . _t . and strain rate of 10 ¹ to 10 ^-4 s ^_1, where T _{and. t} . represents the temperature of allotropic transformation. 44. The method of claim 24, wherein the deformation of the respective sections of the billet formed from the titanium alloy with lamellar microstructure with an actual degree of strain of not less than 3 is performed by a reduction step, and that the step of applying twisting. is carried out simultaneously with the rolling step, said method further comprising a ramming step carried out simultaneously with the rolling step, and furthermore, twisting and equalizing steps performed during the reduction, upsetting, and deforming steps at a temperature of 70 ° C. T _at . and with a strain rate of 10 ' ¹ to 10' ⁴ s ¹ . Method according to claim 24, characterized in that the deformation of the respective sections of the billet formed of lamellar microstructure titanium alloys with a reduction of not less than 1.1 times the cross-section is carried out at a temperature T_and._t. - T_and.t. + (10 50), then the treated sections are subjected to cooling at a rate of not less than 1 ° / s, followed by the steps of applying torsion and upset at a temperature of not more than 700-T_and._t. and with a strain rate of 10 ”¹ up to 10 "⁴ with^_1. 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the deformation of the respective sections of the billet formed of refractory nickel alloys is carried out at a temperature not greater than the total dissolution temperature of the γ'-phase. 47. The method of claim 24, wherein the billet deformation is carried out until the one-time increment of the strain deformation is within the range of 10-20% of the predetermined temperature and strain strain, while simultaneously causing a change in the sliding stress and _f greater than 5 to 10%. 48. The method of claim 1, wherein the billet is subjected to deformation at a predetermined temperature and strain strain ξ until the change in strain strain causes an increase in the coefficient m of the sensitivity rate, where m = (log Ni - log N ₂ ) / (log ξι - log ξ ₂ ), up to a size ranging from 0.3 to 0.8; where Ni and N ₂ represent the magnitude of compressive action selected from torque, compression pressure, or elongation force applied to the billet before and after the change of the strain strain ξ from the ξι degree to the ξ ₂ degree. An article formed by the method of claim 1. An article formed by the method of claim 24. 51. Apparatus for processing metals and metal alloys, including deformation molding by at least a billet section of its billet cross-section, said apparatus comprising: reducing means for providing the elongated billet of the rod configuration; means carried out by repositioning the billet to reduce the cross-section in the longitudinal cross-section of the billet and the cross-section relative to its axis; means for rolling the billet around its peripheral surface; means for positioning and positioning the billet, the means for positioning and positioning comprising at least one support pedestal; means for applying deformation at a predetermined level of deformation, the means for applying deformation comprising deforming the billet, and the means for deforming the billet being selected from: means for applying torsion; and means for subjecting the billet to elongation forces, the support pedestal being adapted to subject the billet to a deformation at a temperature sufficient to provide a microstructure with substantial physical and mechanical properties. 52. The apparatus of claim 51, further comprising means for ramming the billet.