Superplastic PM alloys aim for automotive applications

Superplastic forming has potential as a cost effective means of producing p rototype and short run body parts for the automotive industry. In recent ye ars this route has become established in niche applications, but to achieve market growth cheaper alloys that can be processed more rapidly will be re quired. Joint research to develop a superplastic PM Al-Mg-Zr alloy capable of being processed at high strain rates has shown encouraging initial resul ts.