Abstract: The present invention relates to a large deformation apparatus for metal-based materials that comprises a mold (A), a support mechanism (B) for supporting the mold (A), and a rotary mechanism (C) for rotating the mold (A), wherein the mold (A) comprises a mold body (1), four holes (2) that pass through the mold body (1) and intersect in its interior, and engagement means (3a) for engaging the rotary mechanism (C), each hole (2) being provided with a punch (5) that can slide or otherwise move with friction in relation to the hole (2) and that extends from the end face of the mold body (1) to the intersection of the holes (2); the support mechanism (B) comprises restraint plates (6a), (6b), and (6c) for restraining the external end faces of the mold body (1) having holes (2), and holding plates (7a) and (7b) for holding the mold body (1); and the rotary mechanism (C) comprises engagement means (3b) for engaging the engagement means (3a), rotary means (8), connection means (9) for connecting the engagement means

Abstract: A method for the production of a superplastic Mg-based composite material comprises preparing a composite material consisting of ceramic particles formed of at least one compound selected from among TiC, AlN, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, and TiB.sub.2 and a matrix formed of a magnesium alloy, dispersing the ceramic particles in the matrix, hot extruding the composite material, and then hot rolling the resultant extrudate; and a superplastic Mg-based composite material produced by the method.

Abstract: A method for the fabrication of a superplastic composite material having metallic aluminum reinforced with silicon nitride includes thoroughly mixing silicon nitride with metallic aluminum, pressure-sintering the resultant mixture, further heating and pressing the sintered mixture, hot extrusion-molding the resultant sintered article, subjecting the molded article, when necessary, to a heat treatment such as the T6 treatment thereby forming a superplastic composite material, and deforming the composite material in a temperature region in which the material exhibits superplasticity.

Abstract: A superplastic composite material is produced by thoroughly and homogeneously mixing particles or whiskers of silicon nitride and aluminum metal powder in a solvent, then removing the solvent from the resultant mixture, sintering the residual mixture at an elevated temperature, further compressing it at an elevated temperature, then hot extrusion-molding the compressed mixture thereby forming a shaped article, and heat-treating this shaped article.

Abstract: A composite material containing dispersed particles is manufactured by disposing within a mold a porous shaped article of ceramic particles, then pouring a molten metal into the mold, compressing the contents of the mold, subsequently allowing the molten metal to solidify, and subjecting the resultant solidified composite to a plasticizing treatment.