Flow forming of materials for aerostructures

Project aim

To determine if certain aerospace-grade materials can be successfully flow formed into certain landing gear components that are used on a selection of aircraft.

Project background

Flow forming is an alternative near-net-shape manufacturing method for the processing of axisymmetric hollow metal components and, is the current state-of-the-art iteration of metal spinning.

The process cold forms a hollow cylindrical pre-form into the shape of the desired component that improves the mechanical properties of a metal and, possesses the capabilities for creating difficult to form geometries such as high length to diameter ratio, constant variable wall thicknesses, and integrated flanges. As such, any component that has a hollow axisymmetric cylindrical design may be a viable candidate for flow forming.

To date, most of the components that make up the landing gear for an aircraft are typically manufactured by employing extrusion, deep drawing, machining, and/or forging and so, this project will investigate the suitability of flow forming in manufacturing aerostructures hydraulic reservoirs and landing gear components: actuators, oleo cylinders, actuators, braces) using certain aerospace-grade materials (custom 465, MLX17, MLX19).