Analysis of the SPF of a titanium alloy at lower temperatures

This paper analyses a possibility to decrease the temperature of the industrial forming of the VT6 alloy. Experimental laboratory studies of the mechanical properties of the material show that one can lower the temperature of industrial superplastic forming. A developed mathematical model is proposed and enables to calculate an optimum pressurization taking into account the structural state of the shell material and principles of the shell friction on the die surface. The calculated pressurization enables to obtain the optimum superplastic properties of the material in the maximum area of the deformed shell. The proposed model has been checked up experimentally. In laboratory conditions, the forming of special workpieces with calculated pressurization has been conducted. The experimental researches confirm the made theoretical forecasts about a capability of decreasing the forming temperature of SPF VT6 alloy components. The studies have been made with the support of the international company AIRBUS GIE and the firm KOMMEK Ltd. (Russia). (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.