Recent Application of Superformed 5083 Aluminum Alloy in the Aerospace Industry

Abstract

Traditionally the Aerospace Industry has, most often, selected heat treatable aluminum alloys for its sheet metal fairings, panels and skins. With the introduction of superplastic forming (SPF) in the late 70’s and early 80’s the initial applications of SPF aluminum utilized the heat treatable superplastic alloys that were available then (ie. 2004 and 7475). When superplastic 5083 alloy sheet became commercially available in the late 1980’s applications were focused on the ‘high end’ automobile and the European rail markets. More recently, the qualification of SP5083 to aerospace standards, combined with appropriate design criteria, has enabled an increasing number and variety of aerospace components to be Superformed from this non-heat treatable medium strength alloy. This presentation examines a number of recent aerospace applications of Superformed 5083; from contemporary tool designs through to finished components. The important attributes of both SPF design; the ability to create complex geometry, and the excellent post-formed characteristics of SP5083 that have created cost effective solutions to specific Aerospace Industry needs are illustrated. Future prospects for stronger 5000 series superplastic alloys are also discussed.