Lubricant formulation for high temperature metal forming processes

Abstract

Improved lubricant system useful in metal forming processes. The lubricant formulations contain boron nitride lubricant with graphite additions. These formulations enhance lubricity while maintaining good adherence at elevated temperatures.

1 . An elevated temperature metal forming process comprising the steps of:
 heating a metal work piece to a temperature of at least 250 degrees C.; applying a lubricant formulation to at least one of (a) a metal work piece surface and (b) a surface of a formation tool; deforming the metal work piece within the formation tool to substantially conform with the surface of the formation tool; and removing the metal work piece from the formation tool, wherein the lubricant formulation comprises boron nitride in combination with not less than about 5% graphite.   
     
     
         2 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said metal forming process is quick plastic forming. 
     
     
         3 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said metal forming process is superplastic forming. 
     
     
         4 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said metal forming process is warm forming using complementary male and female formation tools. 
     
     
         5 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said metal forming process is an aluminum forming process. 
     
     
         6 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said metal forming process is a magnesium forming process. 
     
     
         7 . An elevated temperature metal forming process comprising the steps of: heating a metal work piece to a temperature of at least 250 degrees C.; applying a lubricant formulation to at least one of (a) a metal work piece surface and (b) a surface of a formation tool; deforming the metal work piece within the formation tool to substantially conform with the surface of the formation tool; and removing the metal work piece from the formation tool, wherein the lubricant formulation consists essentially of boron nitride in combination with about 10% to about 50% graphite. 
     
     
         8 . The invention according to  claim 7 , wherein said metal forming process is quick plastic forming. 
     
     
         9 . The invention according to  claim 7 , wherein said metal forming process is superplastic forming. 
     
     
         10 . The invention according to  claim 7  wherein said metal forming process is warm forming using complementary male and female formation tools. 
     
     
         11 . The invention according to  claim 7  wherein said metal forming process is an aluminum forming process. 
     
     
         12 . The invention according to  claim 7  wherein said metal forming process is a magnesium forming process. 
     
     
         13 . An elevated temperature metal forming process comprising the steps of: heating a metal work piece to a temperature of at least 250 degrees C.; applying a lubricant formulation to at least one of (a) a metal work piece surface and (b) a surface of a formation tool; deforming the metal work piece within the formation tool to substantially conform with the surface of the formation tool; and removing the metal work piece from the formation tool, wherein the lubricant formulation consists essentially of boron nitride in combination with about 5% to about 33% graphite. 
     
     
         14 . The invention according to  claim 13 , wherein said metal forming process is quick plastic forming. 
     
     
         15 . The invention according to  claim 13 , wherein said metal forming process is superplastic forming. 
     
     
         16 . The invention according to  claim 13  wherein said metal forming process is warm forming using complementary male and female formation tools. 
     
     
         17 . The invention according to  claim 13  wherein said metal forming process is an aluminum forming process. 
     
     
         18 . The invention according to  claim 13 , wherein said metal forming process is a magnesium forming process.