Finite Element Simulation of Forming Technology for Ulta-Thin TB8 Titanium Alloy Hemispherical Part

Deep drawing and super-plastic flatulence forming (SPF) for TB8 titanium alloy hemispherical part were simulated by finite element simulation (FES) to obtain the best process parameters which would be applied to the forming test subsequently. A new technology was used in the forming test of thin wall TB8 titanium alloy hemispherical part, in which a preform was made by deep drawing first and then super-plastic flatulence forming method was used to form the preform into the designed shape. The results show that the thickness distribution of the hemisphere part prepared by the test was in accord with the results of FES. This new technology avoided the wrinkling in ultra-thin titanium alloy hemisphere part in traditional deep drawing and the uneven thickness in super-plastic flatulence forming process. The thinning of TB8 titanium got well controlled by this means.