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.

Interest in the phenomenon of superplasticity has been increasing steadily over the past thirty-four years, both from the viewpoint of fundamental scientific understanding as well as of industrial application. The scope of superplasticity has also broadened materials-wise, and now includes, in addition to metals: intermetallics, ceramics, bulk metallic glasses, nanostructured materials and composites.

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.

While the superplastic phenomenon was first demonstrated in scientific experiments conducted in the United Kingdom, much of the early systematic work in this area was performed in Russia. This volume covers the recent developments concerning superplastictity phenomena in many materials classes of current interest.

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.

* Numerous line drawings with consistent format and units allow easy comparison of the behavior of a very wide range of materials * Transmission electron micrographs provide a direct insight in the basic microstructure of metals deforming at high temperatures * Extensive literature review of over 1000 references provide an excellent reference document, and a very balanced discussionUnderstanding the strength of materials at a range of temperatures is critically important to a huge number of researchers and practitioners from a wide range of fields and industry sectors including metallurgists, industrial designers, aerospace R&D personnel, and structural engineers. The most up-to date and comprehensive book in the field, Fundamentals of Creep in Metals and Alloys discusses the fundamentals of time-dependent plasticity or creep plasticity in metals, alloys and metallic compounds. This is the first book of its kind that provides broad coverage of a range of materials not just a sub-group such as metallic compounds, superalloys or crystals. As such it presents the most balanced view of creep for all materials scientists. The theory of all of these phenomena are extensively reviewed and analysed in view of an extensive bibliography that includes the most recent publications in the field. All sections of the book have undergone extensive peer review and therefore the reader can be sure they have access to the most up-to-date research, fully interrogated, from the world's leading investigators.· Numerous line drawings with consistent format and units allow easy comparison of the behavior of a very wide range of materials· Transmission electron micrographs provide a direct insight in the basic microstructure of metals deforming at high temperatures· Extensive literature review of over 1000 references provide an excellent reference document, and a very balanced discussion