Patent ID: 7546754

Claim:
A method of fabricating a structure from two or more materials, the method comprising the steps of: (a) associating a first material with a second material in an initial form and pre-conditioning the form, wherein pre-conditioning the form includes a treatment selected from the group consisting essentially of pre-forming, introducing one or more preparatory bend within, thermally treating, chemically treating, enhancing the corrosion resistance of, and enhancing bonding between the materials of, the form; and (b) subjecting, after pre-conditioning, the initial form to a hydroforming process to produce the structure, wherein the hydroforming process includes positioning the pre-conditioned initial form relative to a die, and applying pressure to the initial form so that the first and second materials conform to the die, wherein the pressure is either low or high based upon the materials, wherein at least one of the first and second materials is a substantially natural non-metal material.