Superplastic forming of aluminum alloys

The remarkable high plastic ductility characteristic of superplastic metals has enabled such materials to be shaped into a myriad of different in-service components. Over the past twenty years, many technological advances have been made producing a wider range of available superplastic alloys and creating the forming techniques and equipment needed for commercial production. This paper charts the progress in aluminum alloy and process development and examines a number of successful commercial applications of `superplastic aluminum sheet forming' that exemplify its cost-effectiveness in specific niche markets. The current techno-economic barriers to higher volume SPF production are also discussed and future prospects explored.