Flowturning differs from conventional metal spinning not only in the method of manufacture but in its influence on the mechanical properties of the component produced.The basic principles of the two processes are described and the simple shear analogy of flowturning is explained.The effect of flowturning on the mechanical properties, accuracy and surface finish of the workpiece is discussed, whilst the need for, and development of a flowturnablity test is outlined.Finally, variation from the idealized condition, the mode of fracture of the workpiece and the effect of the many process variables on the forces in the plastic zone of the flowturned component are all examined.