Hot Stamping Techniques-A Study on Aerospace Ti6Al4V Sheet Metal Parts
摘要
The manufacturing of Ti6Al4V sheet metal components for aerospace applications is strongly limited by the poor formability of the alloy at room temperature, making conventional cold forming techniques unsuitable for manufacturing such components. To overcome these limitations, hot stamping techniques based on controlled thermo-mechanical conditions have been developed to enable the production of sheet metal parts with moderately complex geometries. This paper presents a comprehensive review of hot stamping processes operating at quasi-static strain rate (10−3 –10−1 s−1) within the warm temperature regime (0.3Tm – 0.5Tm), aiming to clarify process regimes, deformation mechanisms, and current technological limitations. Particular attention is given to the influence of key process parameters such as temperature, stamping velocity, and applied load on deformation behavior, microstructure evolution and mechanical performance. In addition, numerical modeling approaches based on finite element analysis are critically reviewed, including comparisons of material models, formability criteria, friction modeling, and thermo-mechanical coupling strategies employed in commercial simulation software. Lastly, the formation of alpha case, oxidation phenomena, and the subsequent pickling processes involved in the manufacturing of Ti6Al4V sheet metal components are discussed. Based on the reviewed literature, the advantages and limitations of different hot stamping techniques are compared, and practical tables are proposed to support efficient, sustainable, repeatable, and controllable process selection. Moreover, current research gaps are identified, particularly regarding tool lifespan, combined effects of hot stamping variables (temperature, stamping velocity and applied load) on formability, and the integration of microstructure-based simulation models, outlining directions for further investigation.