Interest in the phenomenon of superplasticity has been increasing steadily over the past two decades, both with regard to promoting fundamental scientific understanding as well as commercial application. Most of the early studies on superplasticity dealt with microduplex metallic alloys. The unabated interest in, and scientific research on, superplasticity has now broadened the scope of the topic to include intermetallic compounds, ceramics, composites and nanocrystalline materials.

The book presents practical and theoretical works on superplasticity in metals and ceramics, on deformation mechanisms, on processes to obtain large ultrafine-grained structures, on advanced characterization techniques, and on hot deformation of advanced materials. Key papers focus on (1) processing of metallic alloys for achieving exceptional superplastic properties, (2) high-pressure sliding (HPS) processes, (3) in-situ neutron and synchrotron methods, and (4) ultra-severe plastic deformation. Keywords: Superplasticity, Superfunctionality, High-pressure Sliding, High-pressure Torsion, Precise Forming, Numerical Simulation, Aeronautical Parts, Near-unconstrained Superplastic Parts, Low-temperature Superplasticity, Friction Stir Processing, Microstructure Evolution, Corrosion Properties, Duplex Stainless Steel, Grain Boundary Sliding, Laminated Materials, Asymmetric Hot Rolling, Uniaxial Hot Pressing, Diffusion Bonding.

Superplastic forming (SPF) has come a long way from its relatively recent history of being of interest only to the aerospace and aeronautical industries, and has made rapid inroads into applications in the automotive, rail, architectural, sports, dental and entertainment sectors. This book comprises 82 papers which describe in detail the latest developments in the field. All aspects of the subject are covered, ranging from the atomistic simulation of grain-boundary sliding to the industrial-scale application of superplasticity and of diffusion bonding. This volume therefore represents an invaluable guide to the state-of-the-art in this field.

Superplasticity is the ability of polycrystalline materials under certain conditions to exhibit extreme tensile elongation in a nearly homogeneous/isotropic manner. Historically, this phenomenon was discovered and systematically studied by metallurgists and physicists. They, along with practising engineers, used materials in the superplastic state for materials forming applications. Metallurgists concluded that they had the necessary information on superplasticity and so theoretical studies focussed mostly on understanding the physical and metallurgi cal properties of superplastic materials. Practical applications, in contrast, were led by empirical approaches, rules of thumb and creative design. It has become clear that mathematical models of superplastic deformation as well as analyses for metal working processes that exploit the superplastic state are not adequate. A systematic approach based on the methods of mechanics of solids is likely to prove useful in improving the situation. The present book aims at the following. 1. Outline briefly the techniques of mechanics of solids, particularly as it applies to strain rate sensitive materials. 2. Assess the present level of investigations on the mechanical behaviour of superplastics. 3. Formulate the main issues and challenges in mechanics ofsuperplasticity. 4. Analyse the mathematical models/constitutive equations for superplastic flow from the viewpoint of mechanics. 5. Review the models of superplastic metal working processes. 6. Indicate with examples new results that may be obtained using the methods of mechanics of solids.

Ultra fine-grained metals can show exceptional ductility, known as superplasticity, during sheet forming. The higher ductility of superplastic metals makes it possible to form large and complex components in a single operation without joints or rivets. The result is less waste, lower weight and manufacturing costs, high precision and lack of residual stress associated with welding which makes components ideal for aerospace, automotive and other applications. Superplastic forming of advanced metallic materials summarises key recent research on this important process.Part one reviews types of superplastic metals, standards for superplastic forming, processes and equipment. Part two discusses ways of modelling superplastic forming processes whilst the final part of the book considers applications, including superplastic forming of titanium, aluminium and magnesium alloys.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Superplastic forming of advanced metallic materials is a valuable reference for metallurgists and engineers in such sectors as aerospace and automotive engineering.Note: The Publishers wish to point out an error in the authorship of Chapter 3 which was originally listed as: G. Bernhart, Clément Ader Institute, France. The correct authorship is: G Bernhart, P. Lours, T. Cutard, V. Velay, Ecole des Mines Albi, France and F. Nazaret, Aurock, France. The Publishers apologise to the authors for this error. - Reviews types of superplastic metals and standards for superplastic forming - Discusses the modelling of superplastic forming, including mathematical and finite element modelling - Examines various applications, including superplastic forming of titanium, aluminiun and magnesium alloys

Smithells is the only single volume work which provides data on all key apsects of metallic materials.Smithells has been in continuous publication for over 50 years. This 8th Edition represents a major revision.Four new chapters have been added for this edition. these focus on; * Non conventional and emerging materials - metallic foams, amorphous metals (including bulk metallic glasses), structural intermetallic compounds and micr/nano-scale materials. * Techniques for the modelling and simulation of metallic materials. * Supporting technologies for the processing of metals and alloys.* An Extensive bibliography of selected sources of further metallurgical information, including books, journals, conference series, professional societies, metallurgical databases and specialist search tools.* One of the best known and most trusted sources of reference since its first publication more than 50 years ago* The only single volume containing all the data needed by researchers and professional metallurgists* Fully updated to the latest revisions of international standards

CD-ROM contains: "CaRlne Crystallography 3.1 for Students and the Materials Science Multimedia Supplement."

ICSAM-97 Proceedings of the 1997 International Conference on Superplasticity in Advanced Materials (ICSAM-97), Bangalore, India, January 1997

This book describes the fundamentals and potential applications of 'friction stir superplasticity for unitized structures'. Conventional superplastic forming of sheets is limited to the thickness of 3 mm because the fine grained starting material is produced by rolling. Friction stir superplasticity has grown rapidly in the last decade because of the effectiveness of microstructural refinement. The thickness of the material remains almost constant, and that allows for forming of thick sheets/plates, which was not possible before. The field has reached a point where designers have opportunities to expand the extent of unitized structures, which are structures in which the traditional primary part and any supporting structures are fabricated as a single unit. With advanced optimization and material considerations, this class of structures can be lighter weight and more efficient, making them less costly, as well as mechanically less complex, reducing areas of possible failure. - Discusses how friction stir processing allows selective microstructural refinement without thickness change - Demonstrates how higher thickness sheets and plates can be superplastically formed - Examples are presented for aluminum, magnesium and titanium alloys - Covers the production of low-cost unitized structures by selectively processing cast sheets/plates