presented by Jithin A.

S Leo pauly Dinu jose

What is explosive forming?

Explosive Forming also known as HERF (High Energy Rate Forming)

Working

Explosive forming is the forming of sheet metal using explosive materials using large amounts of energy over a very short time . In general, a metal sheet is placed on a die. The die cavity is vacuumed and the assembly is placed in water. An explosive charge is detonated under water pushing the sheet in the die in about 2 milliseconds Explosive Shockwave in water pressure energy Plastic work

 It can simulate a variety of other conventional metal forming techniques such as stamp- or press-forming and spin-forming in a single operation It can offer significant cost savings on short-run parts because it employs lower tooling cost Explosive hydro-forming can efficiently form large parts

Explosive forming was applied in the 1960s in the USA and for aerospace and space applications Also, the technology of explosive welding was developed in the 1970s. Several factors contributed to the reintroduction of explosive forming in the 1990s for forming products with more complicated shapes were required in smaller quantities.

 improved quality of parts (by high-strength materials), perfecting the installation through adapting active media to different shapes of part, simply adapting to production process, reduction of production stages, flexibility of the process due to quick and simple transformation of the tool elements, low production costs. Maintains precise tolerances. Eliminates costly welds. Controls smoothness of contours. Reduces tooling costs. Less expensive alternative to super-plastic forming.

Explosive forming is mainly applied for nuclear installations, gas turbine components, architectural buildings and art. Some examples are: Exhaust collectors for the Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine. Cover plates for a nuclear water basin. Many types of combustor liners from nickel alloys Many types of manifolds for both gas turbines with a very uniform thickness.

Boiler Products

Missile Components

Aircraft Radar Shields

Explosive Forming Operations can be divided into two groups, depending on the position of the explosive charge relative to the workpiece. There are two methods used when forming with explosives, the standoff method and the contact method.

The standoff method of explosive forming has the charge located some distance from the work piece Generally, water is used as away to ensure the even transfer of energy to the work piece and to reduce noise caused by the explosion. When the pressure wave (fluid force) expands against the work piece, the metal is compressed against the form die causing the desired shape to be formed.

The system used for Standoff operation consists of following parts: 1) An explosive charge 2) An energy transmitted medium 3) A die assembly 4) The workpiece.