Superplastic forming and diffusion bonding

Superplastic forming and diffusion bonding (SPF/DB) is a technique allowing the manufacture of complex-shaped hollow metallic parts. It combines Superplastic forming (SPF) with a second element "Diffusion Bonding" to create the completed structures.

Principle

Two metal sheets are welded together at their edges, then heated within the confines of a female mould tool.

When the part is hot, an inert gas is injected between the two sheets ; the part becomes hollow to the form of the mould.[1] Parts may be welded in other areas than the edges to give an internal structure as the sheets are blown.

Applications
  • Hollow titanium blades for jet engines.[1]
  • Military aircraft structures such the aft fuselage of the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle.[2] McDonnell Douglas (McDonnell Aircraft Company) developed the production equipment and tooling technology in St. Louis during the mid-1980s through the leadership of engineers Ray Kittelson, Vern Mueller, David Rohe and Duane Jennings.

See also

References
  1. Spittle, Peter. "Gas turbine technology" p508, Rolls-Royce plc, 2003. Retrieved: 13 June 2014.
  2. Sabc. "Airframe in General". F-15E.info. Retrieved 2014-06-13.


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