The role of the numerical simulation in superplastic forming process analysis and optimization

Numerical simulation took root in the last few decades in the superplastic forming field as one of the most dominant tools for process analysis and optimization. The big role of the simulation can be found in many areas concerning the study and the implementation of the forming process. The purpose of this paper is to outline some of the main applications of the numerical simulation in superplastic forming that can be found in the material characterization phase, in the simulation of forming tests and in the optimization of the process. A brief overview of results that can be found in literature is given with special regard to Finite Element numerical simulation of metal sheet Superplastic Forming.