Oscillation enhanced superplastic forming of aluminum alloy 5083 and titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V

AEM Power Systems is developing an oscillation enhanced superplastic forming process that has the potential to significantly improve formability of various metallic alloys. Oscillation enhanced process utilizes gas oscillation technology generated by a Gas Oscillation System. Gas Oscillation System is engineered to generate and transfer minor gas oscillations of various frequencies and amplitudes into a pressurized chamber of a superplastic forming tool. Minor gas oscillations subject the forming material to undergo partial stress relief during each oscillation cycle. Gas oscillations do not oscillate the SPF tool or the press. Experimental research and development program has revealed that the application of a minor superimposing oscillating load onto a monotonically increasing tensile load can lead to a significant improvement in the formability of aluminum alloy 5083 and titanium alloy Ti-6AI-4V sheet. Application of minor oscillating load at specific amplitudes and frequencies can significantly improve A5083 and Ti-6AI-4V alloy elongation, thickness uniformity and forming speed. These results were experimentally confirmed for a range of strain rates 0.001-0.300 per second and will be discussed during the presentation.