Evaluation of forming and manufacturing characterisitics of boron/aluminum materials
Low cost techniques were evaluated for forming boron-reinforced aluminum structural shapes from diffusion-bonded flat sheet and plate. Successful forming was accomplished on fully consolidated material up to .46 cm (0.180) in thick. Five hot section 12 in long were formed from 0.100 thick flat plates 12 in long by 7 in wide. Three of the hat sections were tested in cyclic compression to demonstrate the performance capability of structures by this type of low-cost secondary fabrication. The structural efficiency of these hats was found to be equal or superior to similar structures fabricated by more costly techniques.