Finite element simulation of three dimensional superplastic blow forming

Abstract

Superplastic blow forming processes are simulated with a finite element method which adopts the convective coordinates system. The code developed is applied to cylindrical cup and the square cup blow forming processes to predict the optimum forming pressure cycle. The numerical result demonstrates the validity and accuracy by comparing with the experimental result and the numerical result by a continuum finite element method The numerical results also provide the pole height, the intermediate and final deformed shapes and the thickness distribution with respect to time.