The invention provides a method of forming structural components for automotive vehicles from elongated tubular blanks. A longitudinally oriented tubular blank comprised of a thermoplastic material is provided. The tubular blank is fluidformed in a fluid forming cavity by orienting in a hoop direction of the tubular blank to conform the tubular blank to a predetermined shape of the fluid forming cavity to provide structural components having increased strength over the tubular blank. The structural components have biaxial and/or triaxial orientation. Fluid forming is performed within an orientation temperature range above the glass transition temperature and below the softening point of the thermoplastic material. Structural components include bumper beams, intrusion beams in vehicle doors, crush cans, and frame members. The produced structural components are strong and light weight.
FLUID FORMING OF ORIENTED THERMOPLASTICS
HYDROFORMAGE DE THERMOPLASTIQUES ETIRES
2016-05-10
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
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