A method of forming parts from sheet metal alloy

摘要

A method of forming a part from precipitation hardenable alloy sheet by solution heat treating the sheet, quenching the heated sheet at a rate sufficient to avoid precipitation to a temperature at which the sheet can be formed into the part and placing the quenched sheet between dies where it is formed. Different areas of the sheet can be quenched to different temperatures, either by applying a solid cooling medium to only a first area of the sheet or by applying a solid cooling medium to a first area at a first pressure and to a second area at a lower pressure or by directing fluid to first and second areas where the fluid is directed to the first area for a longer duration, has a lower temperature and/or has a greater mass flow than fluid directed to the second area. The method can be used to form sheets from 5xxx, 6xxx or 7xxx series aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys and titanium alloys.