On the forming of metallic parts through electromagnetic and electrohydraulic processing

Forming of metallic parts by the application of high intensity transitory magnetic pulses or shock waves is a challenge task from industrial perspectives as this offers extended scope of forming highly precise parts that result from material behavior at high deformation rates. Electromagnetic forming requires that the part must be intrinsically very conducting. The electrohydraulic forming is exempt from this material constraint as the deformation is generated by a shock wave in a fluid through electric discharge in between the electrodes. The application of a static pressure during forming is used to reduce the discharge energy for a given deformation. Work has been conducted to form different parts through these two techniques involving aluminum, copper and steels. The paper presents the technical obstacles still facing the electromagnetic techniques and gives examples of formed parts and joints in relation with microstructures.