- Email: [email protected]
Vacancies and other point defects in metals and alloys
BOOK
REVIEW
Vacancies and Other Point Defects in Metals and Alloys. A Symposium organized by the Institute of Metals and held at the Atomic Energv Research Establishment, Harwell, 10 December, 195yj. The Institute of Metals, London, 1958. 238 pp., 4Os., $6.00.
READINGa review of point defects in lattices, one is struck by three things: the variety of the experimental coverage, the ingenuity which has gone into atomic models, and the conspicuous failure of the models to be complete or definitive. Defects constitute a slippery and difficult subject and its devotees must remain aware of numerous conflicting results. It is a field in which good judgment is needed, as well as the discipline often to reserve judgment. This monograph, notable for its brevity (it contains only six papers plus a general discussion), is a handy survey which will aid in the development of such wisdom. In the first paper, A. H. COTTRELL reviews, with hi- usual lucidity, the influence of point defects on mechanical properties at low temperatures. Mechanisms of hardening (and softening) by vacancies and other point defects are succinctly discussed. Next T. BROOM and R. K. HAM survey the effects of vacancies and interstitials on a variety of additional
164
physical properties, including magnetic and thermoelectric effects. W. M. LOMER outlines very clearly the role of point defects in diffusion. P. L. PM~T contributes a readable chapter on point defects in ionic crystals (those well known alloys!), particularly in relation to mechanical properties. There follows an interesting and unusual paper by E. C. WILLIAMS and P. C. S. HAYFIELD in which the surface region of a metal and the special character of vacancies and impurities in this region are discussed. Experimental evidence from the oxidation of copper and its alloys is reported. Finally, D. MCLEAN reviews the influence of point defects on mechanical properties, mainly Dislocations and creep, at high temperatures. surfaces, although not point defects, have come in for discussion throughout the book, as is proper, and the principal methods of introducing point defects, quenching, deformation and irradiation have also been treated in numerous places. Despite the fact that these papers were written three years ago, the book seems only occasionally out of date, and will be useful both for newcomers and for specialists. G. H. VINEYARD
REVIEW
Vacancies and Other Point Defects in Metals and Alloys. A Symposium organized by the Institute of Metals and held at the Atomic Energv Research Establishment, Harwell, 10 December, 195yj. The Institute of Metals, London, 1958. 238 pp., 4Os., $6.00.
READINGa review of point defects in lattices, one is struck by three things: the variety of the experimental coverage, the ingenuity which has gone into atomic models, and the conspicuous failure of the models to be complete or definitive. Defects constitute a slippery and difficult subject and its devotees must remain aware of numerous conflicting results. It is a field in which good judgment is needed, as well as the discipline often to reserve judgment. This monograph, notable for its brevity (it contains only six papers plus a general discussion), is a handy survey which will aid in the development of such wisdom. In the first paper, A. H. COTTRELL reviews, with hi- usual lucidity, the influence of point defects on mechanical properties at low temperatures. Mechanisms of hardening (and softening) by vacancies and other point defects are succinctly discussed. Next T. BROOM and R. K. HAM survey the effects of vacancies and interstitials on a variety of additional
164
physical properties, including magnetic and thermoelectric effects. W. M. LOMER outlines very clearly the role of point defects in diffusion. P. L. PM~T contributes a readable chapter on point defects in ionic crystals (those well known alloys!), particularly in relation to mechanical properties. There follows an interesting and unusual paper by E. C. WILLIAMS and P. C. S. HAYFIELD in which the surface region of a metal and the special character of vacancies and impurities in this region are discussed. Experimental evidence from the oxidation of copper and its alloys is reported. Finally, D. MCLEAN reviews the influence of point defects on mechanical properties, mainly Dislocations and creep, at high temperatures. surfaces, although not point defects, have come in for discussion throughout the book, as is proper, and the principal methods of introducing point defects, quenching, deformation and irradiation have also been treated in numerous places. Despite the fact that these papers were written three years ago, the book seems only occasionally out of date, and will be useful both for newcomers and for specialists. G. H. VINEYARD