Aluminum alloys can be used in the fabrication of intricate geometry and curved parts for a wide range of uses in aerospace and automotive sectors, where high stiffness and low weight are necessitated. This paper outlines a review of various research investigations on the superplastic behavior of aluminum alloys that have taken place mainly over the past two decades. The influencing factors on aluminum alloys superplasticity, such as initial grain size, deformation temperature, strain rate, microstructure refinement techniques, and addition of trace elements in aluminum alloys, are analyzed here. Since grain boundary sliding is one of the dominant features of aluminum alloys superplasticity, its deformation mechanism and the corresponding value of activation energy are included as a part of discussion. Dislocation motion, diffusion in grains, and near-grain boundary regions being major features of superplasticity, are discussed as important issues. Moreover, the paper also discusses the corresponding values of grain size exponent, stress exponent, solute drag creep and power law creep. Constitutive equations, which are essential for commercial applications and play a vital role in predicting and analyzing the superplastic behavior, are also reviewed here.

Asymmetric sheet rolling is a process used when there are differences in any technological parameters in the horizontal plane across the width of the deformation zone or in the vertical plane between the top and bottom surfaces of the deformation zone. Asymmetry can either have random causes, or it can be created purposefully to reduce rolling force, improve sheet flatness, minimize the ski effect, obtain thinner sheets and for grain refinement and improvement of texture and mechanical properties of sheet metals and alloys. The purpose of this review is to analyze and summarize the most relevant information regarding the asymmetric (hot, warm, cold, cryo) rolling processes in terms of the effect of purposefully created asymmetry on grain size and mechanical properties of pure Mg, Al, Ti and their alloys. The classification and fundamentals of mechanics of the asymmetric rolling process are presented. Based on the analysis of publications related to asymmetric rolling, it was found that a superior balance of strength and ductility in pure Mg, Al, Ti and their alloys could be achieved due to this processing. It is shown that asymmetric rolling in comparison with conventional severe plastic deformation methods have an undeniable advantage in terms of the possibility of the production of large-scale sheets.