Processes and equipment for superplastic forming of metals
Abstract
The industrial use of materials with superplastic behaviour has required the development of dedicated processes, including all the related tooling equipment. This chapter first describes the various superplastic sheet-forming processes. Then the industrial equipment is detailed along with the technological options that may be used for heating platens. Special focus is given to tools and dies, either metallic, ceramic or refractory concrete-based: their material grades and properties are discussed, as are the methods used for modelling them. Finally, emerging processes are identified.