Mechanical 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 materials
but 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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