Importance

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Abstract

The structure and the process for making a metallic sandwich structure in which metal worksheets, preferably made from titanium alloy, are joined in a preselected pattern by an intermittent or discontinuous weld. The joined sheets are sealed by a continuous weld to form an expandable envelope. Application of inert gas pressure to the envelope in a limiting fixture superplastically produces the sandwich structure as the expanded structure diffusion bonds to itself or other worksheets. Core configuration of the structure is determined by the intermittent weld pattern. Face sheets of the sandwich structure may be formed from one sheet of the envelope or may be inserted in the limiting fixture and the envelope expanded against the face sheets. Additionally, the face sheets may be preformed or formed concurrently with the core to produce the desired core and sandwich shape in a single operation.

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First Claim