The approach of this concise but comprehensive introduction, covering all major classes of materials, is right for not just materials science students and professionals, but also for those in engineering, physics and chemistry, or other related disciplines. The characteristics of all main classes of materials, metals, polymers and ceramics, are explained with reference to real-world examples. So each class of material is described, then its properties are explained, with illustrative examples from the leading edge of application. This edition contains new material on nanomaterials and nanostructures, and includes a study of degradation and corrosion, and a presentation of the main organic composite materials. Illustrative examples include carbon fibres, the silicon crystal, metallic glasses, and diamond films. Applications explored include ultra-light aircraft, contact lenses, dental materials, single crystal blades for gas turbines, use of lasers in the automotive industry, cables for cable cars, permanent magnets and molecular electronic devices. * covers latest materials including nanomaterials and nanostructures * real-world case studies bring the theory to life and illustrate the latest in good design * all major classes of materials are covered in this concise yet comprehensive volume Content: Copyright , Page IV Front Matter , Page V Copyright credits , Page VI Preface , Page VII Acknowledgments , Page VIII Foreword , Page IX Chapter 1 - Materials , Pages 1-16 Chapter 2 - Atoms, molecules and the chemical bond , Pages 17-49 Chapter 3 - Structure of solids , Pages 51-73 Chapter 4 - Structures of materials , Pages 75-88 Chapter 5 - Organic polymers and ceramics , Pages 89-119 Chapter 6 - Elastic behaviour of solids , Pages 121-150 Chapter 7 - Structural defects in crystals , Pages 151-173 Chapter 8 - Alloys and phase diagrams , Pages 175-208 Chapter 9 - Phase Transformation , Pages 209-238 Chapter 10 - Microstructures , Pages 239-259 Chapter 11 - Tensile behaviour of materials , Pages 261-277 Chapter 12 - Factors influencing mechanical properties , Pages 279-320 Chapter 13 - Fracture and toughness , Pages 321-337 Chapter 14 - Physical properties , Pages 339-377 Chapter 15 - Corrosion, degradation and ageing , Pages 379-399 Chapter 16 - Composite materials , Pages 401-420 Chapter 17 - Nanomaterials and nanostructured materials , Pages 421-438 Chapter 18 - Appendixes , Pages 439-444 General bibliography , Pages 445-446 Glossary of principal symbols , Pages 447-449 Index , Pages 451-461 Materials have always fixed the level of development of our civilisation.
