Abstract
A technique of deep drawing superplastic sheet material is described in which a differential temperature between the sheet and punch is used. With super plastic ZAM, the drawability obtained with this technique is significantly greater than that obtained with conventional materials or with superplastic materials using other techniques. Results using ZAM are presented to demonstrate the influence ofprocess variables such as blankholder load, clearance, blank diameter, and draw speed. Cups produced by this technique retain their superplastic characteristics and may subsequently be blow moulded to produce complex high-aspect-ratio components, which is not possible with the common sheet thermoforming techniques.