Deformation characteristics of self-infeed rolling process for thread shaft

In this paper, the self-infeed rolling process of thread shaft with medium carbon steel AISI 1045 is investigated. Firstly, the principle of the self-infeed rolling process is introduced and then the deformation mechanism is analyzed by finite element method. The numerical results show that deformation mainly occurs on the surface layer of blank, and the deformation degree is different in the tooth profile. The metal flows along both the axial direction and the radial direction. Next, the experimental studies of self-infeed rolling process are carried out. The numerical results are shown in good accordance with the experimental results. The grain at the top of tooth profile is refined, and the microstructures in the surface of tooth profile as well as bottom of tooth root are fibrous tissue which is dense and streamlined obviously. The hardness of the formed thread shaft is improved than that of the blank.