FORMING LARGE TITANIUM PARTS

摘要

Apparatus for superplastically forming large parts from titanium comprising: a furnace (10) having an interior, the inside surface of the furnace (10) being contoured and finished so as to form a mould for the part to be superplastically formed; means (70) for heating the interior of the furnace (10); and a supply (60) of an inert gas. The surface of the mould is adapted to receive a substantially unformed titanium blank (80). The heating means (70) is adapted to heat the titanium blank (80) to the required temperature for superplastic forming. The supply (60) of the inert gas is operable to exert a pressure onto the surface of the titanium blank (80) furthermost from the surface of the mould such that the inert gas causes the titanium blank (80) to deform and take up the shape of the mould, thereby forming the required part. The heating means (70) includes one or more electrical induction coils positioned in the furnace (10) so as to be on the side of the titanium blank (80) furthermost from the mould when that titanium blank (80) is positioned in the furnace (10) for superplastic forming in the mould, such that the or each induction coil induces a current in the titanium blank (80) which is heated thereby.