Superplastic forming of a sheet into a rectangular pan under plane-strain conditions is simulated numerically and the thickness distribution in a transverse section in the central region of the pan is presented. The thickness distribution resulting from female-die forming is studied, considering various affecting parameters such as friction conditions between sheet and die, draft angle, die entrance radius, inside corner curvature and width-to-depth ratio of the die. The effect of using a male die plus prior reverse blowing in order to improve the thickness distribution over the female die is investigated also. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.
