A forming apparatus and forming method for VK100Z alloy wire.

Abstract

This invention provides a forming apparatus and method for VK100Z alloy wire, belonging to the field of wire forming technology. The nozzle is positioned below a preheating and feeding structure, which heats and melts the raw material and supplies it to the nozzle. The cooling and forming structure includes a motor and a cooling turntable, with the motor and turntable connected by a drive. The upper surface of the cooling turntable has an annular forming groove, and the nozzle is located directly above the annular forming groove. A portion of an elastic scraper is embedded in the annular forming groove to separate the formed wire from the groove on the cooling turntable. A synchronous winding mechanism collects the formed wire. The preheating and feeding structure, nozzle, cooling turntable, elastic scraper, and synchronous winding mechanism are all located within a sealed chamber. A protective gas replacement structure is connected to the protective gas supply structure and replaces the air in the sealed chamber with protective gas. This method simplifies the wire forming process and reduces energy consumption and costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of wire forming technology, and in particular relates to a forming device and forming method for VK100Z alloy wire. Background Technology

[0002] VK100Z magnesium alloy is a rare-earth magnesium alloy containing elements such as Gd, Zr, Y, and Zn, belonging to a highly alloyed magnesium-rare-earth system. Gd has high solid solubility in magnesium and its significant temperature-dependent variation provides the alloy with strong precipitation strengthening potential. The addition of Y usually has a synergistic effect with Gd, further stabilizing high-temperature precipitates and potentially improving the alloy's corrosion resistance. The introduction of trace amounts of Zn helps refine the grains and assists in the formation of strengthening phases, contributing to a balance between strength and plasticity. As an effective grain refiner, Zr forms heterogeneous nucleation sites during solidification, significantly refining the as-cast grains. This fine-grained structure not only improves the alloy's room-temperature strength and plasticity but also enhances the material's homogeneity and processing performance, laying the foundation for subsequent plastic deformation (such as extrusion and drawing). The superior composition of VK100Z alloy endows it with high specific strength and high specific stiffness, excellent high-temperature mechanical properties, and good creep resistance. Processing VK100Z alloy into metal wire is an advanced way to utilize its material properties, offering significant advantages while also facing serious challenges. Traditional methods for forming micron- and submicron-sized magnesium alloy wires mainly involve cold drawing followed by heat treatment, which is time-consuming, energy-intensive, and involves numerous complex processes.

[0003] The Gd, Y, Zn, and Zr elements contained in the VK100Z system are all considered to have good biocompatibility under strict control of impurity content. High-strength filaments can be used as absorbable bone fixation nails, sutures, or tissue engineering scaffolds, providing mechanical support in the early stages of healing and subsequently degrading gradually in the body, avoiding secondary removal surgery. As biodegradable metal implants move from basic research to clinical applications, there is an urgent need for magnesium alloys that combine high strength, controllable degradation rates, and good biocompatibility. They can also be used in weight-sensitive special structural components, such as lightweight mesh structures for satellites, lightweight cables inside high-performance aircraft, or composite material reinforcement fibers. This field has stringent performance requirements and relatively low cost sensitivity. As metal fibers, they are used to reinforce polymer-based or metal-based composite materials to prepare lightweight, high-strength, and multifunctional composite structures.

[0004] Currently, the mainstream forming process for 0.5~1.2 mm grade alloy wires used in additive manufacturing mainly adopts a multi-stage cold deformation path for the bar precursor: first, the alloy is cast into a bar billet with a diameter of about 10 mm, then multiple cold drawing passes (usually ≥15 passes) combined with periodic intermediate annealing to eliminate processing stress, and finally drawn to the target diameter. This process has systemic defects such as lengthy process, low energy efficiency, high cost, and poor material adaptability, which seriously restricts the development efficiency of high value-added products. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, in order to solve the problems of lengthy process, low energy efficiency and high cost of existing alloy wire forming process, this invention proposes a forming device and forming method for VK100Z alloy wire.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A forming apparatus for VK100Z alloy wire, comprising: The preheating and feeding structure and the nozzle are located below the preheating and feeding structure. The preheating and feeding structure is used to heat and melt the raw materials and supply them to the nozzle. The cooling and forming structure includes a motor and a cooling turntable. The motor is connected to the cooling turntable via a drive. The upper surface of the cooling turntable is provided with an annular forming groove, and the nozzle is located directly above the annular forming groove. The elastic scraper has a portion embedded in the annular forming groove, which is used to separate the formed filament from the annular forming groove of the cooling turntable. A synchronous winding mechanism is used to collect the formed filaments; The sealed box, preheating and feeding structure, nozzles, cooling turntable, elastic scraper and synchronous winding mechanism are all located inside the sealed box; The protective gas supply structure and the protective gas replacement structure are connected to the protective gas supply structure. The protective gas replacement structure is used to replace the air in the sealed box with protective gas.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of the forming device for the aforementioned VK100Z alloy wire, the preheating and feeding structure includes a shell, a heating resistance wire, and a protective gas inlet pipe. The shell is provided with a receiving cavity for containing raw materials. The heating resistance wire is disposed on the outer wall of the receiving cavity. One end of the protective gas inlet pipe is connected to the protective gas supply structure, and the other end is connected to the upper end of the receiving cavity. The lower end of the receiving cavity is connected to the nozzle.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the forming device for the aforementioned VK100Z alloy wire, a gas safety valve is provided on the protective gas inlet pipe.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the forming device for the aforementioned VK100Z alloy wire, a gas flow meter is provided on the protective gas inlet pipe.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the forming device for the aforementioned VK100Z alloy wire, the forming device for the VK100Z alloy wire further includes an infrared thermometer, which is used to monitor the wire temperature at the nozzle outlet.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the forming device for the aforementioned VK100Z alloy wire, the cooling turntable is made of copper.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the forming device for the aforementioned VK100Z alloy wire, the cross-section of the annular forming groove is semi-circular.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the forming device for the aforementioned VK100Z alloy wire, the forming device for the VK100Z alloy wire further includes a turntable preheating structure, which is used to preheat and cool the turntable.

[0014] The present invention also provides a method for forming VK100Z alloy wire, using the above-mentioned VK100Z alloy wire forming apparatus, comprising: S1: Check the sealing performance of the sealed box. After the sealing performance is qualified, the protective gas replacement structure introduces protective gas into the sealed box to replace the air in the sealed box. S2: Start the motor, which drives the cooling turntable to rotate and preheat the cooling turntable to the set temperature. At the same time, the preheating and feeding structure heats the raw materials to completely melt them and form a melt. S3: The preheating and feeding structure controls the melt to flow into the nozzle at a stable flow rate. After passing through the nozzle, the melt is sprayed into the annular forming groove of the cooling turntable. The melt cools and solidifies in the annular forming groove to form a solid filament. S4: The elastic scraper assists in the smooth separation of the formed filament from the annular forming groove; S5: The synchronous winding mechanism collects the filament at a rate that matches the linear speed of the cooling turntable.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the forming method for the aforementioned VK100Z alloy wire, the set temperature is 150°C.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the forming apparatus and forming method for VK100Z alloy wire provided by the present invention are as follows: (1) High cooling rate and microstructure control capability: The cooling rate far exceeds that of traditional casting methods, which can effectively suppress element segregation and easily obtain a uniform microcrystalline structure, providing a new approach for material performance design.

[0017] (2) Large diameter continuous filament preparation capability: It breaks through the morphological limitations of traditional rapid solidification technology, which mainly produces fine filaments (<0.5 mm) or thin strips, and realizes the continuous forming of filaments with a diameter of more than 0.5 mm, thus expanding the product size range.

[0018] (3) High degree of process integration and continuity: The melting, spraying, forming, demolding and winding collection units are highly coordinated, realizing continuous and stable operation from raw materials to filament products, and have the potential for industrial production.

[0019] (4) Good geometric accuracy and consistency: Based on the ring-shaped groove forming on the upper surface of the precision-machined cooling turntable, combined with controlled melt dynamics and assisted demolding technology, the regularity of the circular cross section, dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the wire are guaranteed.

[0020] (5) Green and economical process: The device operates in a protective atmosphere and can achieve closed-loop operation; the durability and reusability of the copper cooling turntable, as well as the continuity of the process, help to reduce long-term operating costs and are in line with the direction of efficient and sustainable manufacturing. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the forming device for VK100Z alloy wire provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the preheating and feeding structure of the forming device for VK100Z alloy wire provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cooling turntable of the forming device for VK100Z alloy wire provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the elastic scraper of the forming device for VK100Z alloy wire provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] In the picture: 1. Preheating and feeding structure; 101. Shell; 102. Heating resistance wire; 103. Receiving cavity; 104. Protective gas inlet pipe; 2. Motor; 3. Cooling turntable; 4. Synchronous winding mechanism; 5. Sealing box; 6. Gas flow meter; 7. Infrared thermometer; 8. Gas safety valve; 9. Nozzle; 10. Annular forming groove; 11. Elastic scraper; 12. Mechanical pump; 13. Molecular pump. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other, and the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments.

[0024] See Figures 1-4 This invention provides a forming apparatus and method for VK100Z alloy wire. The forming apparatus includes a preheating and feeding structure 1, a nozzle 9, a cooling and forming structure, an elastic scraper 11, a synchronous winding mechanism 4, a sealing box 5, a protective gas supply structure, and a protective gas replacement structure. The nozzle 9 is located below the preheating and feeding structure 1, which heats and melts the raw material and supplies it to the nozzle 9. The cooling and forming structure includes a motor 2 and a cooling turntable 3, with the motor 2 and the cooling turntable 3 being drive-connected. The upper surface of the cooling turntable 3 is provided with an annular forming groove 10, and the nozzle 9 is located directly above the annular forming groove 10; a portion of the elastic scraper 11 is embedded in the annular forming groove 10 to separate the formed filament from the annular forming groove 10 of the cooling turntable 3; the synchronous winding mechanism 4 is used to collect the formed filament; the preheating and feeding structure 1, the nozzle 9, the cooling turntable 3, the elastic scraper 11 and the synchronous winding mechanism 4 are all located inside the sealed box 5; the protective gas replacement structure is connected to the protective gas supply structure, and the protective gas replacement structure is used to replace the air in the sealed box 5 with protective gas.

[0025] The forming device for VK100Z alloy wire is based on the rapid solidification and forming of melt within a confined microcavity. Its working principle is as follows: the preheating and feeding structure 1 heats the raw material to melt it into a liquid, and the liquid is accurately injected through nozzle 9 into the annular forming groove 10 of the high-speed rotating cooling disc 3 via a protective gas jet. The melt forms a circular cross-section under the shape constraint of the annular forming groove 10 (in this embodiment, the cross-section of the annular forming groove 10 is semi-circular). Under the action of surface tension, the upper surface of the melt spontaneously forms a meniscus within the cross-section of the annular forming groove 10, thereby solidifying to form a wire with an approximately circular cross-section. The depth and width of the annular forming groove 10 are designed to ensure uniform filling of the melt and achieve the target diameter (i.e., 0.5~1.2 mm). The melt undergoes intense heat exchange with the highly thermally conductive surface of the cooling disc 3, with a cooling rate exceeding 10. 6K / s. The filament shape has a higher specific surface area compared to the strip, further promoting heat transfer efficiency, reducing the temperature gradient within the cross-section, and facilitating the acquisition of a uniform composition and fine-grained microstructure. After solidification, the filament is gently lifted and separated from the annular forming groove 10 by a demolding device (i.e., the elastic scraper 11, also known as a spring-supported microneedle). The elastic design of the elastic scraper 11 adaptively compensates for scraper wear and adjusts the contact pressure, achieving reliable and non-destructive demolding. The elastic scraper 11 is positioned approximately one-third of the way from the nozzle 9 (the filament has already solidified before reaching the elastic scraper 11), where the elastically pressurized steel micro-curved blade is embedded in the annular forming groove 10. After solidification, any filament that could not be smoothly peeled off is cleaned out of the annular forming groove 10. The separated filament is then guided to the synchronous winding mechanism 4 for continuous winding. The synchronous winding mechanism 4 operates synchronously with the cooling turntable 3, ensuring that the filament is collected under constant tension, preventing wrinkling or breakage.

[0026] The forming apparatus for this VK100Z alloy wire utilizes a micro-forming cavity constructed by precisely machining a specific-sized annular forming groove 10 on the surface of a high-speed rotating cooling turntable 3. Combined with a synergistic mechanism of microporous inert gas-driven melt injection (preheating and feeding structure 1) and elastic scraper 11 assisted demolding, it achieves stable production of VK100Z alloy wire with a diameter of 0.5~1.2 mm, a circular cross-section, good surface quality, and continuous forming. This apparatus not only effectively increases the diameter of rapidly solidified wire to a scale exceeding that of traditional wires, significantly reducing processes, energy consumption, and costs, but also significantly enhances the controllability of material geometry parameters and the continuity of the preparation process. Therefore, it provides a feasible technical approach for the engineering application and industrial development of high-performance magnesium alloy wire.

[0027] The forming device for VK100Z alloy wire utilizes a rotary fast-quenching solidification method to form micron-sized wires in one step. The wires are 0.5-1.2 mm in diameter with a circular cross-section, significantly reducing the forming process, time, and energy consumption. The wire form minimizes the material's dimensionality, enabling the formation of complex additive structures. Using the rapidly solidified wire prepared by this device as a raw material for additive manufacturing is particularly suitable for processes such as Wafer Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) and Laser Fused Deposition (LMD), which use wires as consumables. The uniform and fine rapidly solidified microstructure, good room-temperature and high-temperature mechanical properties, and excellent plasticity of VK100Z wire contribute to obtaining near-net-shape components with good metallurgical bonding, low porosity, and high isotropy during layer-by-layer deposition. VK100Z wire holds great potential as a biodegradable biomedical material.

[0028] In this embodiment, the preheating and feeding structure 1 includes a housing 101, a heating resistance wire 102, and a protective gas inlet pipe 104. The housing 101 is provided with a receiving cavity 103 for receiving raw materials. The heating resistance wire 102 is disposed on the outer wall of the receiving cavity 103. One end of the protective gas inlet pipe 104 is connected to the protective gas supply structure, and the other end is connected to the upper end of the receiving cavity 103. The lower end of the receiving cavity 103 is connected to the nozzle 9.

[0029] The preheating and feeding structure 1 uses resistance heating to melt and hold the alloy raw material (VK100Z magnesium alloy) at a stable temperature, obtaining a melt with uniform composition and stable temperature. Under the protection and pressure drive of a protective gas, namely an inert gas (argon), the melt is injected at a stable and controllable flow rate through a precision nozzle 9 into the annular forming groove 10 on the cooling turntable 3. Precise adjustment of the protective gas pressure is used to control the melt injection speed and ensure process stability. In this embodiment, the nozzle 9 has an orifice diameter of 0.5 mm, and the orifice diameter and the width of the annular forming groove 10 can be adjusted as needed.

[0030] In this embodiment, a gas safety valve 8 is provided on the protective gas inlet pipe 104.

[0031] In this embodiment, a gas flow meter 6 is provided on the protective gas inlet pipe 104.

[0032] In this embodiment, the forming device for the VK100Z alloy wire also includes an infrared thermometer 7, which is used to monitor the wire temperature at the nozzle 9 outlet. The infrared thermometer 7 monitors real-time temperature changes, thereby controlling the input power of the heating resistance wire 102 in a timely manner to avoid defects and inclusions caused by temperature fluctuations.

[0033] In this embodiment, the cooling turntable 3 is made of copper. The cooling turntable 3 has a diameter of 34 cm and an adjustable rotation speed. In this embodiment, the rotation speed is controlled at 1200 rpm, corresponding to a linear velocity of approximately 20 m / s.

[0034] The copper cooling turntable 3 was chosen for its high thermal conductivity, excellent mechanical strength, and wear resistance. It can maintain stable operation under the conditions of high-speed rotation and rapid heat absorption and dissipation provided by the copper cooling turntable 3, which is the key to achieving rapid cooling and continuous production. The upper surface of the cooling turntable 3 is precision machined and has an annular groove 10 with a diameter of 32 cm, which serves as the mold cavity for wire forming.

[0035] In this embodiment, the forming device for the VK100Z alloy wire further includes a turntable preheating structure, which is used to preheat and cool the turntable 3. Preheating and cooling the turntable 3 can reduce thermal shock and prevent possible splashing.

[0036] The present invention also provides a method for forming VK100Z alloy wire, using the above-mentioned VK100Z alloy wire forming apparatus, comprising: S1: Check the sealing performance of the sealed box 5. After the sealing performance is qualified, the protective gas replacement structure introduces protective gas into the sealed box 5 to replace the air inside the sealed box 5, and the pressure is at standard atmospheric pressure. Argon is used as the protective gas. The protective gas replacement structure includes an argon gas inlet channel, a mechanical pump 12, and a molecular pump 13. The argon gas inlet channel connects the upper end of the sealed box 5 to the protective gas supply structure, and both the mechanical pump 12 and the molecular pump 13 are connected to the lower end of the sealed box 5.

[0037] S2: Start motor 2. Motor 2 drives cooling turntable 3 to rotate, preheating the cooling turntable 3 to the set temperature. At the same time, the preheating and feeding structure 1 heats the raw material, making it completely melt and form a melt.

[0038] Specifically, the temperature is set at 150 ℃. The preheating and cooling turntable 3 reduces thermal shock and prevents potential splashing. At the same time, the VK100Z alloy raw material is heated by electromagnetic induction to slightly above its melting point, about 560 ℃, so that it is completely melted.

[0039] S3: The preheating and feeding structure 1 controls the melt to flow into the nozzle 9 at a stable flow rate. After passing through the nozzle 9, the melt is sprayed into the annular forming groove 10 of the cooling turntable 3. The melt is cooled and solidified in the annular forming groove 10 to form a solid filament.

[0040] Specifically, the preheating and feeding structure 1 introduces protective gas into the receiving cavity 103 and adjusts the pressure of the protective gas to drive the melt to flow into the nozzle 9 at a stable flow rate.

[0041] S4: The elastic scraper 11 assists in the smooth separation of the formed filament from the annular forming groove 10, and at the same time plays a role in cleaning the groove.

[0042] S5: The synchronous winding mechanism 4 collects the filament at a rate matched to the linear speed of the cooling turntable 3. The filament can then undergo subsequent surface treatment or heat treatment as needed.

[0043] Obviously, the above-disclosed embodiments of the present invention are merely illustrative of the invention. The embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the invention to the specific implementations described. Many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this specification. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments to better explain the principles and practical applications of the invention, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize the invention. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments herein.

Claims

1. A forming apparatus for VK100Z alloy wire, characterized in that, include: The preheating and feeding structure (1) and the nozzle (9) are arranged below the preheating and feeding structure (1). The preheating and feeding structure (1) is used to heat and melt the raw materials and supply them to the nozzle (9). The cooling and forming structure includes a motor (2) and a cooling turntable (3). The motor (2) is connected to the cooling turntable (3) in a transmission. The upper surface of the cooling turntable (3) is provided with an annular forming groove (10), and the nozzle (9) is located directly above the annular forming groove (10). An elastic scraper (11) is partially embedded in an annular forming groove (10) to separate the formed filament from the annular forming groove (10) of the cooling turntable (3). Synchronous winding mechanism (4) is used to collect the formed filament; The sealed box (5), the preheating and feeding structure (1), the nozzle (9), the cooling turntable (3), the elastic scraper (11) and the synchronous winding mechanism (4) are all located inside the sealed box (5); The protective gas supply structure and the protective gas replacement structure are connected to the protective gas supply structure. The protective gas replacement structure is used to replace the air in the sealed box (5) with protective gas.

2. The forming apparatus for VK100Z alloy wire according to claim 1, characterized in that: The preheating and feeding structure (1) includes a shell (101), a heating resistance wire (102), and a protective gas inlet pipe (104). The shell (101) is provided with a receiving cavity (103) for receiving raw materials. The heating resistance wire (102) is set on the outer wall of the receiving cavity (103). One end of the protective gas inlet pipe (104) is connected to the protective gas supply structure, and the other end is connected to the upper end of the receiving cavity (103). The lower end of the receiving cavity (103) is connected to the nozzle (9).

3. The forming apparatus for VK100Z alloy wire according to claim 2, characterized in that: A gas safety valve (8) is provided on the protective gas inlet pipe (104).

4. The forming apparatus for VK100Z alloy wire according to claim 2, characterized in that: A gas flow meter (6) is provided on the protective gas inlet pipe (104).

5. The forming apparatus for VK100Z alloy wire according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an infrared thermometer (7), which is used to monitor the temperature of the filament at the nozzle (9) outlet.

6. The forming apparatus for VK100Z alloy wire according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling turntable (3) is made of copper.

7. The forming apparatus for VK100Z alloy wire according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-section of the annular groove (10) is semi-circular.

8. The forming apparatus for VK100Z alloy wire according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a turntable preheating structure, which is used to preheat and cool the turntable (3).

9. A method for forming VK100Z alloy wire, characterized in that: The forming apparatus for VK100Z alloy wire according to any one of claims 1-8 includes: S1: Check the sealing performance of the sealing box (5). After the sealing performance is qualified, the protective gas replacement structure introduces protective gas into the sealing box (5) to replace the air in the sealing box (5). S2: Start the motor (2), the motor (2) drives the cooling turntable (3) to rotate, preheat the cooling turntable (3) to the set temperature, and at the same time the preheating and feeding structure (1) heats the raw material to completely melt it and form a melt; S3: The preheating and feeding structure (1) controls the melt to flow into the nozzle (9) at a stable flow rate, and sprays it into the annular forming groove (10) of the cooling turntable (3) through the nozzle (9). The melt is cooled and solidified in the annular forming groove (10) to form a solid filament. S4: The elastic scraper (11) assists in the smooth separation of the formed filament from the annular forming groove (10); S5: The synchronous winding mechanism (4) collects the filament at a rate matching the linear speed of the cooling turntable (3).

10. The forming method of VK100Z alloy wire according to claim 9, characterized in that: The set temperature is 150 ℃.

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