Warm Forming High-Strength Aluminum Automotive Parts

This paper is concerned with press forming of work hardened or age hardened aluminum alloy sheet at temperatures in the range 100-300°C. By controlling the time and temperature of forming below that necessary for recrystallization or over-aging the formability is significantly enhanced while a high room temperature tensile strength is maintained. It is shown by both laboratory measurements and plant trials that it is possible to warm form high strength aluminum sheet into complex parts. A brief discussion is given on some of the important materials and process considerations.