Apparatus and method of shaping metal product

An apparatus for shaping a blank, the apparatus comprising:

• a first die and a second die;
• a support structure attached to the first and second dies and configured to bring the first and second dies together to form a seal around the blank;
• and
• a molten salt reservoir configured to supply a molten salt for injection into a space between the blank and the second die, such that the molten salt provides a hydraulic pressure to the blank to force the blank against an inner surface of the first die,
• wherein the blank is preheated by placing onto an external surface of the molten salt reservoir before loading onto the first die or the second die.

A product formed by the process of:

• preheating a blank by placing the blank onto an external surface of a molten salt reservoir before loading;
• loading the blank onto a first die;
• assembling the first die and a second die to form a seal around the blank;
• and
• injecting a molten salt received from the molten salt reservoir into a space between the blank and the second die to supply hydraulic pressure to the blank so as to force the blank against an inner surface of the first die,
• wherein:
• the product is made of at least one of a metal or a metal alloy.