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Reference book for composites technology
I00
Book retiews
Chapter 4 (Structural Analysis and Design) makes up 45% of the book and includes virtually all of the mathematical equations in the book. The mathematics are interpersed with brief examples of their application and other notes explaining their significance which greatly assist with the flow of the text in such a potentially daunting subject. The final chapter (Some Design Cases) examines ['our diverse applications. First, there is a comparison of the design philosophies of the principal mine counter measures vessels (UK, Tripartite, Italy, Sweden, French BAMO) and the proposed corrugated hull. Secondly, there is an evaluation of huUs for fast patrol boats and hydrofoils, and thirdly, there is an overview of the implications of using F R P superstructures on steel hulls. Finally, the chapter looks at underwater vessels and their pressure hulls. The whole book is extremely well presented with illustrations as close as possible to their mention in the text and a virtual absence of typesetting errors. The text fully utilises the latest available information, including much which was classified until very recently. In summary, this book is excellent and should find a place on the shelves of all composites engineers as a most convenient reference point.
J. Summersca|es
Reference Book for Composites Technology, Volumes 1 and 2. Edited by Stuart M. Lee. Technomic Publishing Company, Inc., Pennsylvannia. USA, 1989. ISBN 87762-564-6 and 87762-565-4. Price: US$140.00. This work consists of twenty review articles on a range of topics in composites science and technology, presented in two volumes encompassed in approximately 500 pages. The topics covered include the history of composites, aspects of polymer matrix chemistry, thermoplastic and tougJaened thermosetting resin composites, organic high performance fibres, metal matrix composites, glass and ceramic m a m x composites, micro- and macremechanical approaches to prediction and design, aspects of testing, filament winding and pultrusion, and some others. Each of the articles is written by specialists in the topic area; all the authors are currently working in the USA. There is a very real need for authoritative review articles in composites science and technology. The rapid rate of advance in some areas, and the very broad extent of the field, make it impossible to keep abreast of developments through journal publications and conferences. Books of this type are, therefore, very welcome and a number of such publications, assued as handbooks, encylopaedias, etc.. have appeared recently.
Book reviews
101
With some reservations I found the Reference Book for Composites Technology a useful source of reference which I would welcome in my department library. The breadth and depth of the articles is rather variable and there does not appear to have been a very convincing attempt at achieving consistency through editing. Some of the articles are very good and what readers will find useful will depend on their own backgrounds. I thought the articles on glass and glass--ceramic composites by Prewo and Brennan, and on ceramic composites by Rice and Lewis particularly useful and authoritative overviews. The article on micro-macromechanics by Tsai and Patterson was perhaps rather brief and could have been amplified. The article on metal matrix composites by Schoutens is very comprehensive but contains information on mechanical test techniques which should, more logically, have appeared in the article on Properties Characterisation by Adams. There are articles on filament winding and pultrusion but not, specifically, on other important techniques such as resin transfer moulding and resin injection moulding. The fact that all the authors are based in the USA also makes this very much an American-oriented publication which is reflected particularly in some of the articles. Despite these reservations I found the work useful and I would certainly recommend people to inspect it to see whether it will meet their needs.
D. C. Phillips
Book retiews
Chapter 4 (Structural Analysis and Design) makes up 45% of the book and includes virtually all of the mathematical equations in the book. The mathematics are interpersed with brief examples of their application and other notes explaining their significance which greatly assist with the flow of the text in such a potentially daunting subject. The final chapter (Some Design Cases) examines ['our diverse applications. First, there is a comparison of the design philosophies of the principal mine counter measures vessels (UK, Tripartite, Italy, Sweden, French BAMO) and the proposed corrugated hull. Secondly, there is an evaluation of huUs for fast patrol boats and hydrofoils, and thirdly, there is an overview of the implications of using F R P superstructures on steel hulls. Finally, the chapter looks at underwater vessels and their pressure hulls. The whole book is extremely well presented with illustrations as close as possible to their mention in the text and a virtual absence of typesetting errors. The text fully utilises the latest available information, including much which was classified until very recently. In summary, this book is excellent and should find a place on the shelves of all composites engineers as a most convenient reference point.
J. Summersca|es
Reference Book for Composites Technology, Volumes 1 and 2. Edited by Stuart M. Lee. Technomic Publishing Company, Inc., Pennsylvannia. USA, 1989. ISBN 87762-564-6 and 87762-565-4. Price: US$140.00. This work consists of twenty review articles on a range of topics in composites science and technology, presented in two volumes encompassed in approximately 500 pages. The topics covered include the history of composites, aspects of polymer matrix chemistry, thermoplastic and tougJaened thermosetting resin composites, organic high performance fibres, metal matrix composites, glass and ceramic m a m x composites, micro- and macremechanical approaches to prediction and design, aspects of testing, filament winding and pultrusion, and some others. Each of the articles is written by specialists in the topic area; all the authors are currently working in the USA. There is a very real need for authoritative review articles in composites science and technology. The rapid rate of advance in some areas, and the very broad extent of the field, make it impossible to keep abreast of developments through journal publications and conferences. Books of this type are, therefore, very welcome and a number of such publications, assued as handbooks, encylopaedias, etc.. have appeared recently.
Book reviews
101
With some reservations I found the Reference Book for Composites Technology a useful source of reference which I would welcome in my department library. The breadth and depth of the articles is rather variable and there does not appear to have been a very convincing attempt at achieving consistency through editing. Some of the articles are very good and what readers will find useful will depend on their own backgrounds. I thought the articles on glass and glass--ceramic composites by Prewo and Brennan, and on ceramic composites by Rice and Lewis particularly useful and authoritative overviews. The article on micro-macromechanics by Tsai and Patterson was perhaps rather brief and could have been amplified. The article on metal matrix composites by Schoutens is very comprehensive but contains information on mechanical test techniques which should, more logically, have appeared in the article on Properties Characterisation by Adams. There are articles on filament winding and pultrusion but not, specifically, on other important techniques such as resin transfer moulding and resin injection moulding. The fact that all the authors are based in the USA also makes this very much an American-oriented publication which is reflected particularly in some of the articles. Despite these reservations I found the work useful and I would certainly recommend people to inspect it to see whether it will meet their needs.
D. C. Phillips