Evaluation of Superplastic Formability for a 5083 Al-Mg alloy

The superplastic formability of the SP-5083 Al-Mg alloy was evaluated using the argon blowing method. Effects of the superplastic forming parameters (forming temperature, argon pressure and forming time) on the specific dome height (dome height/workpiece diameter) and the material properties that changed after superplastic forming were investigated. Experimental results showed that the optimum forming temperature and pressure were approximately 500 C and 345 kPa, respectively. With superplastic forming under various conditions, the microhardness of specimens decreased slightly. It was also found that the formation of cavities increased with an increase in the amount of superplastic forming. © 1999 Carl Hanser Verlag. All rights reserved.