Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/S09029/01
Title:	Optimisation Of The Superplastic Forming Of Aluminium Alloys
Principal Investigator:	Bate, Professor PS
Other Investigators:	Ridley, Professor N
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	BAE Systems British Aluminium Ltd
Department:	Materials
Organisation:	University of Manchester, The
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 October 2003	Ends:	31 March 2005	Value (£):	191,743
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Aerospace, Defence and Marine Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:	Panel Date Panel Name Outcome 31 Jul 2002 Structural Materials Meeting July 2002 Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
escribe the proposed research in about 200 words.A major factor influencing the cost, and so application, of superplastic forming is the duration of the forming cycle. The aim of this programme is to strategy for optimisation of the superplastic forming of aluminium alloys. This optimisation will determine the fastest possible pressure/ volume cycle process with a given part geometry and material, within specked constraints of final product properties. The principal limiting factor in aluminium all cavitation, and the prediction of this will be central to this effort. The effect of initial microstructure, the deformation history during SPF and backpre: both the overall mechanical response and cavitation development will be formalised as constitutive equations with state evolution. These will be imF finite element models of the forming process, and those models used in non-linear optimation strategies. The optimisation will take into account boll and process variability- including temperature. .
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.man.ac.uk