stretch forming

Stretch forming is a metalworking process used to shape thermoplastic composites. It involves heating a preconsolidated beam and then stretching it over a shaped tool to introduce curvature. This technique is particularly useful for thermoplastics reinforced with long, discontinuous fibers, allowing for a high degree of fiber-orientation control.1

This process is a variation of sheet metal forming, where a sheet is stretched over a die while under tension, typically 2-4% strain, to retain its new shape. While stretch forming is a specific method, other sheet metal forming techniques include bending and shearing. These processes are crucial in manufacturing thin metal products like automobile fenders.2