Advances in Superplasticity from a Laboratory Curiosity to the Development of a Superplastic Forming Industry

Superplasticity refers to the ability of some materials pull out tensile elongations 400% or more when strain rate sensitivity is ~0.5. The first report true superplastic flow was published in 1934 experiments conducted England. However, this remarkable result attracted little interest among western scientific researchers and remained a laboratory curiosity for many years. Later, following extensive research on superplasticity Soviet Union, developed west, became topic research. This further enhanced with demonstration that application severe plastic deformation provided an opportunity achieving grain refinement submicrometer even nanometer level, these small grains were especially attractive good properties. It now recognized alloys provide excellent forming capability, making high quality curved parts are not easily fabricated using conventional processes. has led development large industry currently processes thousands tons sheet metals. traces developments emphasis principles behind occurrence flow.