Profile correction of a stretch formed aluminium alloy during artificial ageing

A method of springback reduction is presented which involves a combination of solution heat treatment, natural ageing, stretch forming and artificial ageing. A commercial aluminium alloy, 2219-O Hi-Form, is solution heat treated and subjected to two pre-form natural ageing periods of one and seven hours before the stretch forming process. Following the forming process an artificial ageing process combined with creep age forming techniques is used. Springback is assessed following the stretch forming and artificial ageing processes. This process is shown to provide a controlled means of correcting the springback following stretch forming.