Finite Element Modeling of a Non-Isothermal Superplastic-Like Forming Process

Conventional superplastic forming (SPF) has been modified to increase the productivity and reduce some of the drawbacks, such as high forming temperature and high percentage thinning, to suit the automotive industries. One of the modifications was to combine between the conventional SPF and the use of a mechanical preformed blank to form the non-superplastic grade aluminum alloy (AA5083-O). The requirement of high temperature usually results in microstructural defects during forming process. In this paper, finite element modeling was adopted to investigate the superplastic-like forming process using the non-isothermal heating system. In the simulation, two phases (mechanical pre-forming and gas blow for ming) of the process were conducted under different temperatures, where the material was mechanically drawn into the die cavity at 200 degree C in the first phase, and it formed with gas pressure applied at a global temperature increasing from 400 degree C to 500 degree C. Because of the non-isothermal heating of material, it was found that it had enough ductility to flow more easily in the specific zones (die corners and radius). Additionally, FEM results showed that a better formed part can be obtained by the increasing temperature forming, compared to the stable temperature phase.