Finite element modeling of hydrostatic extrusion for mono-core superconductor billets

This paper is concerned with the hydrostatic extrusion of mono-core, bronze-process superconductor billets. The thermomechanical, elasto-plastic finite-element method is used to analyze the extrusion process of Nb/bronze mono-core rods. Simulations were performed to determine the distributions of stress, strain and temperature for several extrusion ratios, die angles and core/sleeve interfacial friction coefficients. In addition, the normal pressure at the core/sleeve interface was recorded as a function of die angle and extrusion ratio, which will be useful for the investigations of the bonding process during hydrostatic extrusion.