Materials for the process industries

Materials for the process industries

Book Reviews MATERIALS FOR THE PROCESS INDUSTRIES Mechanical Engineering Publications U.K., 1982, 117 pages, £24.00 (UK) £31.50 (Elsewhere) ISBN: 0 85...

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Book Reviews MATERIALS FOR THE PROCESS INDUSTRIES Mechanical Engineering Publications U.K., 1982, 117 pages, £24.00 (UK) £31.50 (Elsewhere) ISBN: 0 85298 494 4 This publication contains the papers which were to have been presented at a conference in 1982, reviewing developments in materials for the process industries. The conference, organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, was cancelled but the subject was considered to be of sufficient importance to warrant publication. This was a wise decision because the collection of papers contains up-to-date information on a wide variety of materials, highlighting the many improvements which have been made in the last 20 or 30 years as well as providing valuable basic information on the various classes of materials. The 118 page volume contains papers dealing with ferrous and nonferrous metals, plastics, glass, ceramics and cement and concrete. Being a collection of papers, there is no index. This is normally a hindrance for those who require a reference book but, in this instance, the titles of the individual papers are self-explanatory and the papers themselves are sufficiently concise and specialised to allow rapid location of points of interest. At £24 the publication is not cheap but the papers are of very high standard and the collection serves both as a reference work, containing many useful references, and is interesting reading for those concerned with materials selection. It is a shame that the conference was cancelled because the contributions would have provided an entertaining and instructive event. However the publication of the papers provides a very worthwhile addition to the subject of materials selection and is good value for money to anyone with

interests

in

this

important

field.

R.J. Davies

RUBBER TECHNOLOGY & MANUFACTURE - 2nd Ed. C.M. Blow, C. Hepburn Butterworths, UK, 1982 586pp Price £25.00 ISBN: 0 408 00587 4 Rubber Technology and manufacture The term "rubber" in the title of this work may be misleading to some, as it covers not only natural rubber but also the synthetics, of which twenty-two types are referred to in Chapter 4, on Raw Polymeric Materials and in subsequent chapters. The first edition was published in 1971 as a guide to students, entrants to the rubber manufacturing industries and users of rubber products. To cover the wide range of interests and technologies required a team of authors, which has been augmented to bring their work up to date. To the twelve chapters of this second edition there are fifty-one contributors from whom the editors have succeeded in obtaining a highly consistent level of style and presentation. Much of the book is chiefly of interest to the rubber specialist, to whom it can be highly recommended, but the (assumed) typical reader of this journal and all who are concerned with the selection, specification and evaluation of elastomers will find it a useful reference volume. The large number of polymers now available and the infinite variations in properties which can be obtained by the addition of compounding ingredients make it desirable for rubber users to have a better understanding of their materials than is commonly the case. However, the book does not deal with the engineering design of rubber products.

MATERIALS & DESIGN, Vol. 4 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1983

References to the literature since 1971 account for about 20% of the total. There are extensive subject and name indices and a useful bibliography of books related to each chapter. G.R. Sothern

ISOSTATIC PRESSING TECHNOLOGY P.J. James (Editor) Applied Science Publishers London and New York 1983, 259pp £26, ISBN: 0 85334 192 3 This book is a collection of contributions from well-known names in the field of isostatic pressing. It comprises ten chapters, most of which contain useful references and, as such, should serve as a good introduction to those wishing to ac~tuaint themselves with what is a growing materials fabrication technology. The opening chapter, where Peter James introduces the subject, is followed by one concerning safety aspects. This will be of interest to those considering the installation of isostatic plant. Three chapters are devoted to cold isostatic pressing equipment and applications, one to general aspects of high pressure equipment design and a further contribution covers hot isostatic pressing equipment. Chapters 8 and 9 illustrate the value of isostatic pressing as part of the manufacturing processes for certain tool steels, high value castings and cemented carbide where the optimisation of material properties is at a premium, The concluding chapter projects the growth of the industry in the future. In his book Peter James has attempted to draw together under one heading the two technologies of hot and cold isostatic pressing. Although the application of isostatic pressure to materials is the common theme, the respective industries have, to a

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