Developments and trends in forming materials and processes include the adoption of microalloying in the production of low cost, forging grade steel bars and billets; use of partially reduced strand cast medium carbon steel that costs less than fully rolled material; use of ESR hollows in making superalloy rings to take advantage of the near-net-shape; a pickup in the use of HIP in the production of composite structures; making stamping and blanking dies with CO//2 lasers; and extending the diameter limit on workpieces in rotary forging.