Fabrication of curved generatrix workpiece of TA15 titanium alloy by variable thickness tube spinning and flaring process

This study combined the tube spinning and flaring process to provide a novel method for forming curved generatrix workpiece with uniform thickness. Through 3D elastic–plastic finite element simulation based on the software ABAQUS/Explicit, the deformation characteristics of tube flaring were analyzed, and the formation mechanism of compressive buckling of the transition zone and rupture of tube end were explained reasonably. The tube flaring experiment shows that the thickness and mechanical properties of the as-flared workpiece became quite homogenous after tube flaring by pre-changing the wall thickness distribution of the tubular preform through tube spinning, exhibiting the special advantage of the combined process for forming curved generatrix tubular workpieces.