Fracture mechanics of ceramics — 5 (692pp) fracture mechanics of ceramics — 6 (688pp)

Metal Reference Book in memory of Dr. Colin J. Smithells, the editor of previous editions. In the Sixth Edition the editor, Eric A. Brandes, has maintained the high standards established by earlier volumes. The tradition of presenting data clearly in tabular or graphical form with a minimum of explanatory text but extensive referencing has also been carried on. In its thirty-six sections (two more than in the previous edition) the book provides data on a truly broad spectrum of metal properties and processing ranging from mainstream metallurgical data, such as those on mechanical or electrical properties, to the more process orientated aspects of metallurgical technology. This latter category is typified by the four sections devoted to lubricants, fuels, refractory materials and heat treatment environments. Of the thirty-four sections this edition has in common with its predecessor, several have been extensively revised. The metallography section has been updated and extended to include sub-sections on optical examination techniques (e.g. polarised light and interference microscopy) and tables of colour etches for various materials. Similarly, the section on hard metals has been expanded and now includes data on alloying effects, coatings and hot isotatic pressing. The friction and wear chapter hasl also been considerably extended to include, amongst other additional data, comprehensive tables on relative wear rates for various metals and alloys. The soldering and brazing data have been the subject of the most comprehensive revision. This section has been extended to twenty-three pages (compared to four pages in the Fifth Edition) and now contains sub-sections on, amongst other things, fluxes, joint design and control of galvanic corrosion. The expansion of this section, together with the material in the chapter on welding, now provides a broad source of useful data on joining techniques, materials and procedures. In the previous edition of Metals Reference Book the section on corrosion resistance took the form of two very extensive tables; one giving electrode potentials and the other on corrosion rates of metals and alloys in a wide range of environments. In this latest edition the data have been tabulated under the headings of the various corrosion mechanisms. These

ten headings include bimetallic corrosion, crevice corrosion, hydrogen embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking and corrosion fatigue. The net result of the revision has been to present the data in a much more meaningful, and therefore usable, form. Two completely new chapters have been included in the Sixth Edition; one on vapour deposited coatings and the other on superplasticity. The vapour deposition section presents tabulated data on deposition parameters for a wide range of elements and compounds deposited by both chemical and physical vapour techniques. A concise explanation of deposition techniques is also given together with comprehensive references. The section on superplasticity takes the form of a tabulation of maximum elongations, 'm' values and temperature ranges of alloy systems which exhibit superplastic properties. Also included are similar data for alloys compacted from powders. In general, data are presented in a concise and easily assimilated form. Moreover, the binary equilibrium diagrams, which occupy 450 pages, are for the most part, clear, well drawn and well referenced. It is often useful to have phase diagram compositions shown in both atomic percent and weight percent. Occasionally in this volume only one or the other of the scales is shown on the diagrams. In a reference voiume of this kind it is important that tabulations of data should be accompanied by comprehensive references to original sources. The volume under review is generally excellent in this respect. However, the two exceptions to this are the sections on refractories and electroplating and finishing which between them produce only one reference. In mitigation it should be said that the sections on refractories, electroplating and finishing which between them produce only one reference. In mitigation it should be said that the the data provided. Nevertheless, more extensive references or suggestions for further reading would be appropriate. Repetition of data has been kept to a minimum, although there are instances where some repetition is desirable in order to facilitate efficient use of the book. For instance, it is useful to have values of room temperature resistivity included in a table of physical properties of pure metals as well as in electrical property data.

MATERIALS & DESIGN VoL 5 No. 4 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1984

However, it is perhaps unfortunate that the values quoted in these two tables for the same element can sometimes differ by up to 10%. Micro criticisms apart, the Sixth Edition of Metals Reference Book is undoubtedly a useful addition to any metallurgical library. However, at £95, the price will most certainly limit the number of personal copies sold. Since nearly all the thirty-six sections in the book fall naturally under one of perhaps five or six general headings, in the reviewer's opinion there is a good case for dividing the book into several smaller volumes which would sell individually at a more attractive price. R. I. Saunderson

FRACTURE MECHANICS OF CERAMICS - 5 (692pp) FRACTURE MECHANICS OF CERAMICS - 6 (688pp) R. C. Bradt, A. G. Evans D.B.H. Hasselman and F.F. Lange. Plenum Press, New York, 1983 U.S. $89.50 £75 approx. U.K. ISBN 0 306 41021 4 ISBN 0 306 41022 2 These volumes subtitled, "Surface Flaws, Statistics and Mcro-cracking" and "Measurements, Transformations, and High-temperature Fracture" contain the proceedings of the third international symposium held at The Pennsylvania State University in July 1981. Volumes 1 and 2 are from the 1973 symposium and volumes 3 and 4 from the 1977 symposium. The 39 papers in volume 5 may be divided roughly into the topics of the subtitle. The eight papers on 'statistics' are concerned with the variability of strength of smooth specimens and the reliability of ceramics in load-bearing situations. The 12 papers on "Surface Flaws" are concerned with the effect on residual strength of surface flaws generated by impacts, scratching and indentation. The 18 papers on "Microcracking" are concerned with various aspects of the behaviour of microcracks such as, the environmental effects of stress corrosion, oxidation and sintering and the generation of micro-cracks at structural features like pores, inclusions and grain boundaries. Volume 6 also contains 39 papers. Of the four on "Measurements", two are general reviews concerned with

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aspects of roughness measurement

from natural "colloids", such as collagen to highly esoteric synthetic polymers, e.g. exciplex and siloxane ladder polymers; various new synthetic routes are described: glow discharge, anionic, grafting, ladder polycondensation etc. The study approach again varies from purely organic synthetic chemistry, to physics and mathematical treatments. Generally the standard of work and presentation are high as one would expect from the (mainly) academic institutions and research workers. The largest number of papers is concerned with microstructure of polymers, i.e. head-to-head structure, regularity of chains, orientation, as related to synthetic methods and/or properties of polymers. In many cases it is difficult to foresee the practical application or importance of the described work (apart from purely academic interest), although the general concepts could be applied to make polymers:more stable hydrolytically, thermally etc. (e.g. ladder) fire-retardant (e.g. P-bisimide resins by NASA) film forming bio-compatible (e.g. dextran grafts) self-coloured (e.g. Azo-dye polymers) piezoelectric, dielectric, electroactive etc. improved processabllity membrane separations improved selective metal absorption (e.g. U from sea water) more convenient synthetic route• technique better adhesive properties electron/energy transfer (e.g. photosynthesis) Apart from listing all the 63 titles M. Deighton of the papers, it is impossible to describe briefly all the topics covered in this volume due to their divergence. Thus some 32 papers are concerned CONTEMPORARY TOPICS IN mainly with the polymer microPOLYMER SCIENCE, VOLUME 4 structure (again various polymers)and ED. EILLIAM J. BAILEY AND 37 describe their properties. There TEIJI TSURUTA seems to be less concern about their This very substantial 4th volume applications; only some 11 papers in the series (over 1,000 pages) is deal specifically with the practical claimed to be a state-of-the-art review applications of various polymers. of the field of polymer science, This does not mean that the other presenting 63 (mainly research) papers studies are purely academic, since by many of the leading polymer many university research teams have been sponsored by manufacturers of chemists in the USA and Japan. It is difficult to find any common polymers and/or of polymer-based theme in this volume, apart from products. On the whole, this volume reppolymers, the subject matter ranging

such as specimen geometry and type of test under static and rising load, and the other two are conerned with specific topics. Many of the remaining papers are also concerned with measurements of toughness, but can be more readily placed in the two other categories. 21 papers fall under "Transformations". These papers deal with two phase ceramics, which may be regarded as alloys or composites, and toughening effects arising from stress induced phase transformations during crack propagation and from interactions of a crack with the second phase. The remaining 14 papers are concerned with toughness properties at high temperature and thermal shock. Some of the papers report experimental work on specific topics, although the results are usually placed in a broader context; others are a state-of.the-art reviews. Most of the papers have extensive lists of references and the general standard of the papers is high. Some of the few blemishes could have been avoided by stricter editing; for example the persistent partial lapses into Fortran in one paper which expresses strain rates as "7.5 x 10"* - 3 sec** - 1", sic. These volumes, together, represent the current state-of-knowledge in the subjects covered and should be of value, not only for their relevance to ceramics but also to other materials, to tyro and expert for a general survey and as a source of specific information. The book contains an index to volumes 5 and 6 and are well produced, but, at almost l i p a page are rather expensive outside North America.

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resents an interesting collection of recent state-of-the-art topics in polymer science in the widest sense. The emphasis seems to be on the developments in Japan rather than USA (38 papers from Japan), which underlines the strength of polymer-based industries in that country. The book should prove of some value to polymer scientists and technologists in various industries, although the price seems rather high at US $125 for a book with all the drawbacks of the modern reprographic method of printing. W Mikucki

Review of "Surface Analysis of High Temperature Materials; Chemistry and Topography"

by G. Kemeny The book presents a very clear description of some highly specialised surface analytical techniques and their contribution to the understanding of metallurgical phenomena. The first chapter provides an excellent review of the dependence of material properties on surface and interfacial phenomena. This is well illustrated with metallurgical examples and demonstrates the influence of surface techniques on the development of alloys with improved performance. Comprehensive descriptions of three major surface analytical tecbniques are given.. These are X-ray Photoelectron, Auger and Low Energy Ion Spectroscopies, (unfortunately Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy is not included). The methods and instrumentation are well presented and their respective advantages and limitations clearly stated. The many modes of Scanning Electron Microscopy for topographical analysis are also well described. Several applications are given, although these are not always directly relevant to high temperature materials. The advantages of using complementary techniques are pointed out and areas for future development are noted. R. M. Waghorne

MATERIALS & DESIGN VoL 5 Ncx 4 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1984