Abstract: An oblate spheroid shaped shell has upper and lower component parts which are held together by means of spring loaded clamps. The upper and lower component parts each contain liquid hardenable ceramic material forming die member halves which have surfaces defining a die cavity for superplastic forming of a metal workpiece therein. The ceramic material has electrical heating elements embedded therein and positioned close to the die cavity in order to heat the metal workpiece in the cavity. Tubes in the upper and lower halves of the shell supply pressurized gas and quenching fluid to the die cavity for superplastic forming and quenching of the metal workpiece.