ties and applications of metals, alloys, ceramics, plastics, and electronic materials by means of easily understandable expla- tions and entertaining historical facts. It is also intended to raise the readers’ awareness of their obligations to society as pract- ing engineers and scientists. What has been changed compared to the first edition? Na- rally, there is always room for improvement. Accordingly, a large number of additions, corrections, and clarifications have been made on almost each page. Furthermore, the treatment of “hi- tech ceramics” has been substantially expanded (mostly at the suggestions of my colleagues) by including topics such as silicon nitride ceramics, transformation-toughened zirconia, alumina, ultra-hard ceramics, and bioceramics. A separate section on c- posite materials has been added, including fiber-reinforced composites, particular composites, and laminar composites. A section on advanced fabrics seemed to be of interest to the re- ers. Most of all, however, Chapter 18 (Economic and Envir- mental Considerations) has been rewritten and expanded in many places by updating the statistical information on prices of materials, production figures, world reserves, consumption (p- ticularly oil), recycling (particularly plastics, paper, household batteries, electronic scrap, automobiles), the possible use of “b- diesel” (rape plant oil), waste prevention, lead-free solder, energy savings through recycling, efficient design, and stability of - terials. The iron and steel production statistics were updated in Chapter 7, and new figures on gold production and consumption were included in Chapter 17.
Show moreties and applications of metals, alloys, ceramics, plastics, and electronic materials by means of easily understandable expla- tions and entertaining historical facts. It is also intended to raise the readers’ awareness of their obligations to society as pract- ing engineers and scientists. What has been changed compared to the first edition? Na- rally, there is always room for improvement. Accordingly, a large number of additions, corrections, and clarifications have been made on almost each page. Furthermore, the treatment of “hi- tech ceramics” has been substantially expanded (mostly at the suggestions of my colleagues) by including topics such as silicon nitride ceramics, transformation-toughened zirconia, alumina, ultra-hard ceramics, and bioceramics. A separate section on c- posite materials has been added, including fiber-reinforced composites, particular composites, and laminar composites. A section on advanced fabrics seemed to be of interest to the re- ers. Most of all, however, Chapter 18 (Economic and Envir- mental Considerations) has been rewritten and expanded in many places by updating the statistical information on prices of materials, production figures, world reserves, consumption (p- ticularly oil), recycling (particularly plastics, paper, household batteries, electronic scrap, automobiles), the possible use of “b- diesel” (rape plant oil), waste prevention, lead-free solder, energy savings through recycling, efficient design, and stability of - terials. The iron and steel production statistics were updated in Chapter 7, and new figures on gold production and consumption were included in Chapter 17.
Show moreMechanical Properties of Materials.- The First Materials (Stone Age and Copper—Stone Age).- Fundamental Mechanical Properties of Materials.- Mechanisms.- The Bronze Age.- Alloys and Compounds.- Atoms in Motion.- The Iron Age.- Iron and Steel.- Degradation of Materials (Corrosion).- Electronic Properties of Materials.- The Age of Electronic Materials.- Electrical Properties of Materials.- Magnetic Properties of Materials.- Optical Properties of Materials.- Thermal Properties of Materials.- Materials and the World.- No Ceramics Age?.- From Natural Fibers to Man-Made Plastics.- Gold.- Economic and Environmental Considerations.- What Does the Future Hold?.
SOME PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS EDITIONS SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, James
D. Livingston
Hummel teaches materials science at the University of Florida,
where this book will presumably be used as a text. In his preface,
however, he expresses the hope that his book will also attract a
sizable readership from the humanities. Such readers would enjoy
reading the historical sections, studying the color plates and at
least skimming the more technical chapters to get a quick overview
of the basic science of materials. CHOICE MAGAZINE "Hummel's
coverage is similar to that of every good basic materials science
book...However, Hummel goes one step further by incorporating far
more of the historical development of materials through the ages.
By showing how materials shaped civilization and advanced it at
critical times, the author has created a book that should arouse
the interest of readers. The history, properties and applications
of materials that are woven into each chapter should be a good
motivating force for learning. Ample referenced are included at the
end of each chapter, as well as a summary and thought-provoking
problems. General readers; undergraduates; two-year technical
program students." MRS BULLETIN "This is a first-class
book...Hummel cunningly alternates scientific chapters with
historical ones...He has succeeded admirably in rendering
intrinsically complicated topics, such as polymerization,
palatable, and digestible...This mix of proper science and
respectable history is something new among the plethora of
materials science books...As a first-level introduction to
materials science I can recommend it unreservedly...Much will
depend on the quality and dedication of the teachers who use this
as a teaching-text: but really, they should try!" IEEE
ELECTRICAL INSULATION MAGAZINE "This book not only provides a
thorough introduction into the science and engineering of
materialsbut also covers historical aspects of materials. The
interesting historical perspective traces the utilization,
properties, and production techniques of materials from the Stone
Age via the Bronze Age and the Iron Age up to modern times...This
book was written for engineering, physics, and material science
students who will this book an easily understandable and enjoyable
introduction to the properties of materials and the fundamental
theories that describe them...Practicing engineers without a
materials science background who need to use material science
techniques will find this book very useful for quickly gaining an
overview of materials science." PHYSICS TODAY "There is a
real need for books like this, since a visit to any large bookstore
will reveal very few popular science books that deal with the
practical impacts of the enormous materials revolution that has
defined and enabled our present technology era. Hummel tires - and
succeeds - to relate the historical developments in the various
materials eras (stone, bronze, iron, and electronic) to the
principle defining features of the various classes of
materials...An additional aspect of materials that is nicely
covered in Hummel's book is the environmental and economic
implications of society's use of materials. The discussions of
world resources, the remaining supply of various materials and the
fundamental underlying waste disposal and recycling will be
fascinating to both the science student and the general reader."
PHYSICS WORLD "I have first to admit that this book is a remarkable
achievement. For a work in which aesthetics is centrally important,
the author (and more especially the publisher) should be
congratulated on producing at a reasonable cost a book that pleases
most of the senses...anyone who has the money to acquire and the
time to read [this book] will gain much pleasure from a beautifully
produced book, will enjoy looking at the illustrations, and obtain
much instruction from the text."
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