Potential of Melted Polymer as Pressure Medium in Sheet Metal Forming

Abstract

The development of manufacturing methods for producing plastic-metal hybrid structures has already opened new possibilities for lightweight design. Contrarily to the existing technologies i.e. Insert, Outsert and Hybrid Technology, the new forming process “Polymer Injection Forming” (PIF) offers the advantages associated with injection moulding technology and hydroforming technology in a way that hybrid structures can be produced in a single step. The polymer which is used as pressure medium in a melted state …