R. S. Mishra, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO
Superplastic forming is often used for manufacturing of unitized structures. The conventional superplastic forming is limited to sheet metals of <3 mm thicknesses. Severe plastic deformation processes are being evaluated to, (a) increase the forming rates, and (b) expand the superplastic forming applications. Friction stir processing has the potential to enable several new concepts for expanding the superplastic forming domain. The potential of friction stir processing for the development of some of these concepts, including thick sheet superplasticity, selective superplasticity, and superplastic forging will be presented.
Summary: Superplastic forming is often used for manufacturing of unitized structures. The conventional superplastic forming is limited to sheet metals of <3 mm thicknesses. Severe plastic deformation processes are being evaluated to, (a) increase the forming rates, and (b) expand the superplastic forming applications. Friction stir processing has the potential to enable several new concepts for expanding the superplastic forming domain. The potential of friction stir processing for the development of some of these concepts, including thick sheet superplasticity, selective superplasticity, and superplastic forging will be presented.
