Laser shock hydroforming is a novel microforming method that adopts laser energy as the driving force and liquid as the medium to transmit pressure. The method combines the advantages of laser shock forming and micro hydroforming. Previous research has demonstrated that this method can deform thin sheets into complex shapes at high strain rates. We know that the formability of materials is improved at high strain rates, but experimental analysis on this method alone cannot examine the deformation process. Therefore, this study first conducted free- and die-forming experiments of laser shock hydroforming to characterise the features of the deformation process and understand the factors that may contribute formability enhancement. Experimental results were discussed to uncover the formability of thin sheets under different conditions, including the laser energy and the effect of the die. Then, a numerical model was established considering fluid–solid interaction. The deformation process, sheet velocity, contact stress and strain rate were investigated through numerical means, and these indicators explain the mechanism of formability improvement in this method. Furthermore, the numerical results indicate a positive phenomenon—pressure equalisation—which might be due to the reflection of pressure off the rigid side wall of the liquid chamber.

激光冲击液压成型是一种以激光能量为驱动力，以液体为介质传递压力的新型微成型方法。该方法结合了激光冲击成形和微液压成形的优点。先前的研究表明，该方法可以在高应变速率下将薄片变形为复杂的形状。我们知道，在高应变速率下，材料的可成型性得到了改善，但是仅对此方法的实验分析无法检验变形过程。因此，本研究首先进行了激光冲击液压成形的自由成形和模具成形实验，以表征变形过程的特征并了解可能有助于增强可成形性的因素。讨论了实验结果，以揭示在不同条件下薄片的可成形性，包括激光能量和模具的影响。然后，建立了考虑流固耦合的数值模型。通过数值方法研究了其变形过程，板速度，接触应力和应变率，这些指标说明了该方法可成形性改善的机理。此外，数值结果表明存在正现象-压力均衡-这可能是由于压力从液体腔室的刚性侧壁反射出来所致。