The Benefits of Selective Gauge Reduction Prior to Superplastic Forming

Ducommun AeroStructures has refined a process in which selectively reducing the gauge thickness of titanium, prior to superplastic forming (SPF), can aid in a more consistent product. This gauge reduction is utilized to control thinning and to provide a more uniform thickness product. Other benefits of selectively reducing the thickness prior to SPF are blank size reduction and tooling size reduction. When forming over a mandrel style die, the distance between the seal and the mandrel may be substantial to allow for acceptable thinning. With selective gauge reduction prior to SPF, this distance can be reduced. This process forces the reduced section to elongate at a faster rate which allows the thicker material to stay more uniform through the final forming process. By creating specific gauge reduced patterns, this process can yield more and/or less thinning where required. This provides a more consistent product for the customer. As indicated previously, this process will allow for the tooling to be created with a smaller footprint. This equates to less tooling material required to produce the same product, which in turn equates to a more affordable process.