Abstract:
Examples of forming metal composites are described herein. In an example, a metal sheet is formed into a predetermined shape using superplastic thermal forming technique. Further, a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer sheet is shaped into the predetermined shape by thermal forming. The metal sheet and the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer sheet are coupled by applying an adhesive between the metal sheet and the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer sheet, to form a metal composite.
Abstract:
A method for making a metallic component includes placing a diffusion bonded airfoiled component having an initial shape into a first intermediate shaping die. The first intermediate shaping die has a cavity corresponding to a first intermediate shape different from the initial shape. The component is shaped into the first airfoil shape by applying a first elevated temperature to the first intermediate shaping die. The component is transferred into a final shaping die, which has a cavity corresponding to a target nominal shape different from the first intermediate shape and the initial shape. The component is shaped into a final nominal shape substantially equivalent to the target nominal shape by applying a final elevated temperature to the final shaping die.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Herstellung von Hohlschaufeln, insbesondere for Gasturbinen wie Flugtriebwerke. Mindestens drei Elemente (20, 21, 22) werden sandwichartig übereinander angeordnet, durch Diffusionsschweissen zumindest abschnittsweise miteinander verbunden und im Anschluss durch Aufblähen superplastisch umgeformt, sodass ein erstes Element (20) eine erste Aussenwand der herzustellenden Hohlschaufel, ein zweites Element (22) eine zweite Aussenwand der herzustellenden Hohlschaufel und ein drittes Element (21) ein zwischen den beiden Aussenwänden verlaufendes Mittelelement der herzustellenden Hohlschaufel bildet. Erfindungsgemäss wird in das erste Element (20) und in das zweite Element (22), welche die beiden Aussenwände der herzustellenden Hohlschaufel bilden, vor dem Anordnen derselben zu einer Sandwichstruktur mit dem dritten Element (21) jeweils mindestens eine kerbminimierende Struktur eingebracht.
Abstract:
A method of stretch forming an aluminum metal sheet that includes the steps of placing an aluminum metal sheet in a hot forming tool, forming a shaped part at an elevated temperature, removing the hot shaped part from the forming tool, and thereafter transferring the hot shaped part to a cooling fixture. The transfer and removal steps are performed at a speed that is variable based on a correlation of the temperature and strength of the aluminum metal sheet and the speed at which the hot shaped part may be transferred without distortion of its shape due to inertia.
Abstract:
A process is described of forming a structure by diffusion bonding and superplastic forming at least one skin sheet (16,18) and at least one core sheet (10, 12), the process comprising: a) forming a pack from the at least one skin sheet (16,18) and the at least one core sheet (10,12); b) placing the pack in a mould (20) and heating the pack to a temperature at which the sheets are capable of superplastic deformation; c) injecting a gas between the skin sheet (16,18) and the core sheet (10,12) to urge the skin sheet against an internal face of the mould (20) thereby forming a cavity (30) between the skin sheet (16,18) and the core sheet (10,12); d) injecting gas on the side of the core sheet (10,12) remote from the skin sheet (16,18) to urge the core sheet (10,12) against the skin sheet (16,18), e) maintaining gas pressure on the said side of the core sheet (10, 12), thereby forming a diffusion bond between the skin sheet (16,18) and the core sheet (10,12); and f) maintaining a regulated pressure of helium in the cavity (30) between the skin sheet (16,18) and the core sheet (10,12) during at least part of step d). The use of helium in the cavity allows such gas trapped in a pocket gas between the skin sheet (16,18) and the core sheet (10,12) to diffuse through the core sheet to eliminate such pockets, which obstruct the formation of diffusion bonds in step e).
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for stretching sheet blanks (60), especially superplastic sheets, by differential gas pressure into conformity with a female die surface (38, 40, 42, 44) without encountering excessive thinning or tearing of the sheet (60). The warned SPF sheet is draped over a preformed surface (50) to draw more of the sheet material into the die cavity (46) before the edges (62) of the sheet (60) are fixedly clamped whereby the additional formable material is used in forming the product, thereby reducing thinning and tears.
Abstract:
A method of forming a hollow structure having a predetermined shape from a sheet of superplastic material. The sheet is initially formed into a preform configuration (10). A reusable fluid inlet tube is placed in the preform configuration (10) to define a port in fluid communication with the interior portion of the preform configuration (10). The preform configuration (10) is disposed in a containment die, which defines a cavity having the predetermined desired shape. Force is applied to the containment die to temporarily seal the edges of the preform configuration without the use of welding or diffusion bonding. Once its edges are sealed, the preform configuration becomes a gas-tight envelope capable of holding fluid that is introduced through the fluid inlet tube. Fluid is fed through the tube to apply internal pressure to the gas-tight preform configuration under superplastic conditions while it is still being held in the containment die.
Abstract:
A superplastically formed, diffusion bonded sandwich structure having integral metal hardpoints, made by joining two superplastic metal core sheets together into a core pack by welding or diffusion bonding along a pattern of lines which form junction lines between the core sheets when the pack is inflated by gas pressure at superplastic temperatures. Face sheets are laid under and over the core pack and metal inserts are interposed between the face sheets and the core. All of the sheets in the pack are sealed together around an outside peripheral edge to create a gas tight envelope. The pack is heated to superplastic temperatures in a cavity in a die, and the top and bottom face sheets are diffusion bonded to top and bottom surfaces of the metal insert by application of heat and pressure from top and bottom inner surfaces of the die cavity. While at superplastic temperatures, the pack is inflated by gas pressure against inside surfaces of a die to form an expanded metal sandwich structure having integral webs and integral hardpoints formed by the metal insert. After forming, the gas pressure is reduced to near atmospheric, the die is opened and the part is removed from the die.
Abstract:
A hollow, integral asymmetrical metal structure, e.g. an aircraft wing slat trailing edge, including two gradually diverging outer skins (16, 18) with differing curvatures joined together at one edge (20). The structure further includes internal reinforcements defining pairs of cells (26, 28) separated by an intermediate partition. The structure is produced by diffusion welding and superplastic moulding without opening the die. To take into account the dissymmetry, portions (40, 42) are cut out of the skin (18) that is elongated the most during forming and the cut portions (44, 46) are attached to the other skin (16).
Abstract:
The invention concerns a device (10) for the superplastic forming of a blank (16) in a mould (20) with a lower mould (14) and an upper mould (12) into a component, in particular a suction component (46, 54), with a three-dimensional geometry, wherein the blank (16) in the mould can be subjected for purposes of forming to pressure and temperature, and the blank (16) has perforations (18), at least in some regions. In accordance with the invention the lower mould (14) is formed at least partly with a permeable, in particular a gas permeable drainage layer (28). As a consequence of the gas permeable drainage layer (28) a blank (16) designed with perforations (18) in at least some regions can be formed directly, i.e. without further aids such as e.g. a means of sealing, etc and/or supplementary production operations, in the course of a superplastic forming process into a component, in particular into a suction component (46, 54) for an active aerodynamic surface of an aircraft, with a complex three-dimensional spatial shape and perforations (56) in at least some regions.In particular the device (10) enables production using a simple, cost-effective and reliable process that is suitable for large production runs of such components, spherically curved in at least some regions.