PROCESS MODELING FOR SUPERPLASTIC FORMING OF METAL SHEETS

Methods for developing particular models which accurately predict the material, process and design parameters for superplastic forming of metal parts under optimum conditions consistent with the desired properties in the finished part. Generalized control equations are developed which enable designers to develop consistency of the forming parameters for materials from different lots. The invention permits control of superplastic forming in accordance with particular raw material microstructure and the effects of time, temperature, strain and strain rate during superplastic forming on the material microstructure, and establishes the relationship between the microstructure and the properties of the parts being formed. These methods applied to the specific area of superplastic forming of metal sheets exemplify a more generalized method of conducting systematic research to derive the maximum information from a minimum number of experiments involving available data.