Advances in Aircraft Component Superplastic Forming/Diffusion Bonding Technology

A wide variety of manufacturing operations are utilized to fabricate the complete spectrum of components necessary for contemporary aircraft. Compounding the challenges inherent in utilizing these diverse manufacturing operations are the stringent quality, weight, and cost requirements for flight critical hardware. The industry maintains continuing efforts to meet these challenges with innovations in both component design as well as manufacturing technologies.

The Jet Die Division of Barnes Aerospace Group, as a supplier of fabricated components to the aerospace industry, has participated in continued development of related manufacturing technologies. This paper addresses a specific advance in fabrication technology that will have wide applications for both airframe and engine requirements. Inherent with any advances in manufacturing technology are the emergence of new challenges to maximum utilization of that technology. Some of the key issues to be considered for present and future applications are also outlined relative to this manufacturing technology development, the Sutton Core Process.