The microstructural aspects of the superplastic phenomenon are reviewed. The experimental results of a very large number of investigations are critically analysed in the context of: grain shape and size; grain growth; grain boundary sliding and migration, grain rotation and rearrangement; diffusion and dislocation activity. It is shown, that in spite of often conflicting evidence in the literature, a common pattern of microstructural behaviour emerges for all the materials and conditions investigated to date. © 1985 Chapman and Hall Ltd.