LLC TMK Research Center (Chelyabinsk, Russia)
Ya. I. Kosmatsky, Director of the Separate Division in Chelyabinsk – Deputy General Director for Research, Doctor of Technical Sciences, yaroslav.kosmatskiy@tmk-group.com
N. V. Fokin, Chief of Laboratory, nikolay.fokin@tmk-group.com
А. V. Krasikov, Head of the Separate Division – Director of the Institute of Special Steels, Doctor of Technical Sciences, andrey.krasikov@tmk group.com
JSC Krasny Octiabr Corporation (Volgograd, Russia)
А. N. Bozheskov, Deputy Chief Engineer, Candidate of Technical Sciences, an.bozheskov@volgmz.ru
PJSC TMK (Volzhskiy, Russia)
S. S. Кonovalov, Head of the Sector, sergey.konovalov@tmkgroup.com
Branch of PJSC TMK VTZ (Volzhskiy, Russia)
V. V. Baykov*, Head of Laboratory, vasiliy.baykov@tmk-group.com
*Corresponding author
The extrusion of copper alloy tubes has a number of distinctive features related to processing technology, equipment, and deformation parameters. Therefore, developing the capability to manufacture strategically important non-ferrous products using equipment originally designed for the production of carbon and stainless steel tubes represents a significant scientific and technological challenge. This paper presents the fundamentals of an approach to developing a technology for manufacturing copper tubes on a 5500-ton extrusion press line. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of production methods employed at domestic and international enterprises and their specific features, which served as the basis for identifying the most efficient technological solutions. The main results of manufacturing pilot batches of copper molds are presented. During process development, the limiting values of the key technological parameters were established with due regard to the plastic properties of the material, ensuring stable extrusion without defects on either the outer or inner tube surface. In addition, reducing metal losses during billet preparation and final machining made it possible to increase the number of finished molds produced from each billet. Copper molds manufactured using the proposed technology were successfully tested in industrial service, demonst rating reliable performance, retention of operational characteristics, and the ability to ensure the required quality of continuously cast billets. The paper concludes by emphasizing the industrial significance of the developed technology, its potential for application in the metallurgical industry, and promising directions for further research and development.
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