Hydroforming Tubes

[coolbreeze]

Greetings Automotive enthusiasts,

I have been thinking about an alternative to the cold working processes that my company uses to form pipe and I've read a little about hydroforming. I was hoping that someone has expierence in this area. We expand pipe circumferentially inside another pipe using a cone mandrel. This reinforces older pipe that has eroded over time due to fluid flow. Typically this is done without special fixures and only uses pressure behind a solid cone mandrel which is typically 10-15% larger than the ID of the deformable pipe. Pressures usually rage about 6000psi for a 6 inch pipe that's expanded 12% inside a 6-3/4 inch pipe, for example. Burst is obviously a concern for the older pipe, however this is overcome by containing the pressure only to the deformable pipe...esentially making it a pressure vessel. Instead of using pressure behind a solid mandrel, why not use straight pressure in sections??? Questions arise on how to contain the deformation using some sort of dynamic seal. Any thoughts??

 

[unclesyd]

We used this type equipment on regular basis with outstanding results.

http://www.hpro.com/index.html

 

[unclesyd]

Here is another one we used.

http://www.haskel.com.sg/01_catalogue/hydroswage.htm