Optimization of process parameters of strong spinning of GCr15 bearing steel based on carbide control

In order to realize the uniform and fine carbide control in GCr15 bearing steel with the strong spinning process, the main process parameters of the GCr15 bearing steel were first optimized with the response surface method and the finite element method in the strong spinning process. To comprehensively consider the deformation of a pipe fitting during the rolling process and the distribution of carbide after rolling, the second-order response model that combines the finite element simulation with the RSM was established by taking the mean strain of the cross-section of the pipe fitting and the uniformity of strain distribution as the optimization objectives. Based on the simulation results and the response model, the influence of each parameter on the optimization objectives was systematically analyzed, and a set of optimal parameter combinations were obtained and verified with experiments. The results show that: the distribution of carbides in the raw materials is significantly uniform and refined with the optimized parameters; the particle size of carbide reaches 0.2-0.3 μm after spheroidization annealing. In conclusion, this study verifies the effectiveness of the proposed process parameter optimization strategy, having important practical significance for improving the forming quality of GCr15 bearing steel.