Hot stamping of aerospace aluminium alloys: Automotive technologies for the aeronautics industry

This paper proposes the use of the hot stamping process that provides ready to use parts for the obtention of aircraft components as an alternative manufacturing technology to e.g. machined parts. The development has been focused on the study of the high temperature formability of aluminium alloys. The feasibility of hot forming the AA2198 aluminium‑lithium alloy into complex shapes component has been studied. A wide experimental campaign has been carried out to set up the optimum hot stamping process parameters. In addition, forming trials with different geometries (omega and B-pillar shapes) have also been performed and, after the corresponding heat treatment, material properties have been recovered. Simulations of the hot stamping process have been carried out with Pamstamp® 2G software. These results have been correlated with the ones obtained in the experimental campaign. As a final step of the development, a demonstrator corresponding to a wing rib has been successfully manufactured. Characterization carried out to the prototype indicate specifications are fulfilled.