Single-point incremental forming of titanium and titanium alloy sheets

Abstract

Incremental sheet forming of titanium and its alloys has a significant role in modern manufacturing techniques because it allows for the production of high-quality products with complex shapes at low production costs. Stamping processes are a major contributor to plastic working techniques in industries such as automotive, aerospace and medicine. This article reviews the development of the single-point incremental forming (SPIF) technique in titanium and its alloys. Problems of a tribological and microstructural nature that make it difficult to obtain components with the desired geometric and shape accuracy are discussed. Great emphasis is placed on current trends in SPIF of difficult-to-form α-, α + β-and β-type titanium alloys. Potential uses of SPIF for forming products in various industries are also indicated, with a particular focus on medical applications. The conclusions of the review provide a structured guideline for scientists and practitioners working on incremental forming of titanium and titanium alloy sheets. One of the ways to increase the formability and minimize the springback of titanium alloys is to treat them at elevated temperatures. The main approaches developed for introducing temperature into a workpiece are friction heating, electrical heating and laser heating. The selection of an appropriate lubricant is a key aspect of the forming process of titanium and its alloys, which exhibit unfavorable tribological properties such as high adhesion and a tendency to adhesive wear. A review of the literature showed that there are insufficient investigations into the synergistic effect of rotational speed and tool rotation direction on the surface roughness of workpieces.