Synopsis
This introductory-level text on the structures and properties of solids is aimed by Tilley (emeritus, U. of Cardiff, UK) at students taking traditional courses in materials science and engineering, as well as those involved in the fields of materials chemistry and physics. The building blocks of solids are covered in chapters discussing patterns of structure resulting from atoms and chemical bonding, phase relations, and crystallography and crystal structures. After a comparative overview of metals, ceramics, polymers, and composite materials, the book looks at chemical reactions and transformations including diffusion, solid-state transformations, and electrochemistry. Mechanical properties, insulators, magnetic properties, electronic conductivity, optics, and thermal effects are dealt with in a section on physical properties. A chapter on radioactivity concludes the proceedings. Each chapter includes problems and exercises. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR