Examples of forming metal composites are described herein. In an example, a metal sheet is formed into a predetermined shape using superplastic thermal forming technique. Further, a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer sheet is shaped into the predetermined shape by thermal forming. The metal sheet and the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer sheet are coupled by applying an adhesive between the metal sheet and the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer sheet, to form a metal composite.

A manufacturing method for a plate comprising channels in which the method includes a step of superposing the two strips, a step of welding the two strips along the weld seams, a step of blocking the zones between the weld seams on one side of the strips, a pressurization step with a compressed fluid, where the zones between the weld seams open out along another side, to expand the strips, and a step of opening the zones blocked during the blocking step. This manufacturing method enables the titanium strips to be welded together and shaped by pressurization.

A method for bending a cooling device for microlithographic projection exposure apparatuses includes: providing an unbent cooling device that includes a cavity; filling the cavity with a liquid cryogenic medium at least in a region of the cooling device that is to be bent; cooling the cooling device such that the medium present in the cavity cools below its melting temperature and thereby at least partially solidifies; and bending the cooling device such that the at least partially solidified medium prevents the cavity from closing during bending.

A method for bending a cooling device for microlithographic projection exposure apparatuses includes: providing an unbent cooling device that includes a cavity; filling the cavity with a liquid cryogenic medium at least in a region of the cooling device that is to be bent; cooling the cooling device such that the medium present in the cavity cools below its melting temperature and thereby at least partially solidifies; and bending the cooling device such that the at least partially solidified medium prevents the cavity from closing during bending.

An automotive component manufacturing method includes a molding process of pressing a portion of a hollow tube formed from a metal material, or a composite material including a metal and a resin, so as to deform the portion of the hollow tube, from a tube outer side toward a tube inner side, to beyond an axial center of the hollow tube, and mold the portion of the hollow tube into a deformed section deformed with a concave profile; and a deformation process of deforming a location having a high level of residual stress in a closed cross-section configured by the deformed section so as to deform the location out-of-plane.

Various embodiments provide methods in which a metal matrix composite (MMC) material is incorporated into a metallic structure during a one-step near-net-shape structural forming process. Various embodiments provide in-situ selective reinforcement processes in which the MMC may be pre-placed on a forming tool in locations that correspond to specific regions in the metallic structure. Various embodiment near-net-shape structural forming processes may then be executed and result in various embodiment metallic structural components with selectively-reinforced regions that provide enhanced mechanical properties in key locations.

Various embodiments provide methods in which a metal matrix composite (MMC) material is incorporated into a metallic structure during a one-step near-net-shape structural forming process. Various embodiments provide in-situ selective reinforcement processes in which the MMC may be pre-placed on a forming tool in locations that correspond to specific regions in the metallic structure. Various embodiment near-net-shape structural forming processes may then be executed and result in various embodiment metallic structural components with selectively-reinforced regions that provide enhanced mechanical properties in key locations.

A process and apparatus for forming a structure comprising: a) forming a pack from a skin sheet and a core sheet, wherein venting grooves are formed in a surface of a sheet that is adjacent to the other sheet; b) placing the pack in a mould and heating the pack; c) injecting a first gas between the core and skin sheets to urge the skin sheet against the mould; d) injecting a second gas on the side of the core sheet remote from the skin sheet to urge the core sheet against the skin sheet; e) maintaining gas pressure of the second gas thereby diffusion bonding the sheets; and f) withdrawing some or all of the first gas from the cavity.

A process and apparatus for forming a structure comprising: a) forming a pack from a skin sheet and a core sheet, b) placing the pack in a mould and heating the pack; c) injecting a first gas between the core and skin sheets to urge the skin sheet against the mould; d) injecting a second gas on the side of the core sheet remote from the skin sheet to urge the core sheet against the skin sheet; e) maintaining gas pressure of the second gas thereby diffusion bonding the sheets; and f) injecting a third gas between the skin sheet and the mould, to force the skin sheet against the core sheet.

A process and apparatus for forming a structure comprising: a) forming a pack from a skin sheet and a core sheet, b) placing the pack in a mould and heating the pack; c) injecting a first gas between the core and skin sheets to urge the skin sheet against the mould; d) injecting a second gas on the side of the core sheet remote from the skin sheet to urge the core sheet against the skin sheet; e) maintaining gas pressure of the second gas thereby diffusion bonding the sheets; and f) injecting a third gas between the skin sheet and the mould, to force the skin sheet against the core sheet.