Friction Stir Superplasticity for Unitized Structures

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. Friction Stir Microstructure for Superplasticity

Chapter 3. High-Strain-Rate Superplasticity

• 3.1 Superplastic Behavior
• 3.2 Microstructural Evolution During Superplastic Deformation

Chapter 4. Low-Temperature Superplasticity

• 4.1 LTSP of FSP Al–Zn–Mg–Sc
• 4.2 LTSP of FSP Al–Mg–Zr

Chapter 5. Superplasticity of Cast Alloy—An Example

Chapter 6. Superplastic Deformation Mechanism

• 6.1 High Strain Rate Superplasticity
• 6.2 Low Temperature Superplasticity
• 6.3 Enhanced Deformation Kinetics
• 6.4 Superplastic Mechanism Map for FSP Aluminum Alloys

Chapter 7. Cavitation During Superplasticity

• 7.1 Cavity Formation and Growth
• 7.2 Factor Influencing Cavity Formation and Growth
• 7.3 Cavity Growth Mechanism and Critical Strain
• 7.4 Comparison Between Cavitation Behaviors of FSP and TMP Aluminum Alloys

Chapter 8. Superplastic Forming of Friction Stir Processed Plates

Chapter 9. Potential of Extending Superplasticity to Thick Sections

Chapter 10. Potential of Superplastic Forming of Low-Cost Cast Plate

Chapter 11. Superplastic Punch Forming and Superplastic Forging

Chapter 12. Friction Stir Welding and Superplastic Forming for Multisheet Structures

Chapter 13. Summary

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

Researchers, design engineers, materials processing engineers, welding engineers and students