Superplasticity in hard-to-machine materials

Progress in the development of predictive models for superplasticity in metal matrix composites and in intermetallic and ceramic materials is described. Intermetallic materials deform in a conventional superplastic manner. In metal matrix composites, the role of threshold stresses, alloy composition, and texture are important and not well understood. Superplastic models in ceramic materials require proper descriptions of the viscous glassy phase that often exists in grain boundaries.