This volume provides a one-stop resource, compiling current research on ceramic coatings and interfaces. It is a collection of papers from The American Ceramic Society s 32nd International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites, January 27-February 1, 2008. Papers include developments and advances in ceramic coatings for structural, environmental, and functional applications. Articles are logically organized to provide insight into various aspects of ceramic coatings and interfaces. This is a valuable, up-to-date resource for researchers in industry, government, or academia who work in ceramics engineering.

Advances in nanoscale science show that the properties of many materials are dominated by internal structures. In molecular cases, such as window glass and proteins, these internal structures obviously have a network character. However, in many partly disordered electronic materials, almost all attempts at understanding are based on traditional continuum models. This workshop focuses first on the phase diagrams and phase transitions of materials known to be composed of molecular networks. These phase properties characteristically contain remarkable features, such as intermediate phases that lead to reversibility windows in glass transitions as functions of composition. These features arise as a result of self-organization of the internal structures of the intermediate phases. In the protein case, this self-organization is the basis for protein folding. The second focus is on partly disordered electronic materials whose phase properties exhibit the same remarkable features. In fact, the phenomenon of High Temperature Superconductivity, discovered by Bednorz and Mueller in 1986, and now the subject of 75,000 research papers, also arises from such an intermediate phase. More recently discovered electronic phenomena, such as giant magnetoresistance, also are made possible only by the existence of such special phases. This book gives an overview of the methods and results obtained so far by studying the characteristics and properties of nanoscale self-organized networks. It demonstrates the universality of the network approach over a range of disciplines, from protein folding to the newest electronic materials.

The European Colloquium on Ceramics in Advanced Energy Technology dealt with structural, mechanical, thermo-physical, chemical and electrical/electronics aspects of ceramics, as candidates materials in advanced energy conversion systems. The technical programme included the presentation of 22 invited papers. The Colloquium was concluded by a panel discussion which was preceeded by a presentation on the Ceramic Fabrication. For convenience, papers and discussions are arranged in the same way as they were presented at the Colloquium, followed by the conclusions drawn by the panel members. The editors wish to express their gratitude to the authors for the preparation and the presentation of their papers and to the Colloquium participants for providing their discussion contributions. They also acknowledge the valuable contributions to the planning and realisation of the Colloquium made by the representatives of the various sponsoring and co-sponsoring organisations. The excellent guidance of the Colloquium discussion periods exercised by the session chairmen is highly appreciated as well as the efforts of the panel members to prepare the conclusions from the Colloquium sessions. The contributions of all others which assured a successful Colloquium from which these proceedings evolved are gratefully appreciated. In a Post-Colloquium Workshop a number of experts discussed results obtained from the Colloquium and identified areas warranting future R&D efforts. The conclusions drawn from the Workshop are annexed to these proceedings. The Editors. ix Welcome and opening P.J. van Westen, C.E.C., D.G. XII, J.R.C., Petten Establishment.

The synthesis of multicomponent/multilayered superconducting, conducting, semiconducting and insulating thin films has become the subject of an intensive, worldwide, interdisciplinary research effort. The development of deposition-characterization techniques and the science and technology related to the synthesis of these films are critical for the successful evolution of this interdisciplinary field of research and the implementation of the new materials in a whole new generation of advanced microdevices. This book contains the lectures and contributed papers on various scientific and technological aspects of multicomponent and multilayered thin films presented at a NATO/ASI. Compared to other recent books on thin films, the distinctive character of this book is the interdisciplinary treatment of the various fields of research related to the different thin film materials mentioned above. The wide range of topics discussed in this book include vacuum-deposition techniques, synthesis-processing, characterization, and devices of multicomponent/multilayered oxide high temperature superconducting, ferroelectric, electro-optic, optical, metallic, silicide, and compound semiconductor thin films. The book presents an unusual intedisciplinary exchange of ideas between researchers with cross-disciplinary backgrounds and it will be useful to established investigators as well as postdoctoral and graduate students.

The nature of concrete is rapidly changing, and with it, there are rising concerns. Thoroughly revised and updated, this fourth edition of Concrete Mix Design, Quality Control and Specification addresses current industry practices that provide inadequate durability and fail to eliminate problems with underperforming new concrete and defective testing. Many specifications now require additional criteria in an attempt to improve durability or other properties. This book discusses the trend towards adding performance requirements to existing prescriptive specifications. It also explores the matter of prescription versus performance specification and especially the specification of non-strength-related performance such as durability. What's new in the Fourth Edition: Examines water-to-cement ratio as a declining criterion of quality and durability Discusses the diminishing availability of suitable natural sands and growing industry concerns regarding the environmental impact of their use Considers advances in concrete admixtures and their ever-increasing use Advocates reliability of testing as a vital feature of the shift from prescriptive to performance specifications Addresses cement replacement materials as they relate to greenhouse gas and sustainability Concrete Mix Design, Quality Control and Specification explores producing, designing, controlling, or specifying concrete, and addresses issues related with sustainability and the impact of new concrete materials such as ready mixed geopolymers, magnesium oxide, and calcium carbonate. The text is an ideal resource for concrete technologists, producers and specifiers, and contractors on large projects

The Proceedings of the International Materials Symposium on Ceramic Microstructures '86: Role of Interfaces presents a comprehensive coverage of the past decade's advances in ceramic science and technology related to microstructures. The term microstructure is used in the broad sense and is synonymous with char~cter. Character is defined as a complete detailed description of chemical and physical characteristics of a material. This symposium is the third in a series, held every ten years, on ceramic microstructures. The first symposium, in 1966, had as a subtitle "Their Analysis, Significance and Production" and emphasized the need and importance of characterization in order to fully understand the chemical and physical properties of materials. The second Symposium, in 1976, placed emphasis on the exploration of characters most suited and needed for "Energy-Related Applications." By the time of that conference, the sequence of processing--characterization--properties was fully accepted. It was recognized that characterization was the basis of materials science; the objective of processing was to produce a desired character that was considered necessary to realize a given property or behavior. To further emphasize the importance of character, the symposium dealt primarily with the property/character coupling.

Corrosion behaviour is one of the most poorly understood characteristics of ceramics. A balanced mixture of scientists from material science, metallurgy, physics, chemistry and mineralogy sum up the state of the art of measurement and modelling and reveal future research directions. The book reviews the theory of corrosion of ceramics, including the diffusion of gases and the predictions of thermodynamics; it discusses critically the kinetic models and representation tools for layer growths and material destruction. Corrosion of nitrides, carbides and oxides by simple and complex gases (O2, H2O, SO2, halides) and melts (ionic and metallic) reveal current measurement and modelling methods, advanced experimental techniques, such as laser diagnostics, TV holography, Raman spectroscopy and NDE surface methods. Frontier areas (e.g. the modelling of porous materials corrosion and protection) are revealed. For scientists and engineers in materials science, dealing with ceramics and their application. A valuable source for research students, solid state physicists and physical chemists.

The 17th University Conference on Ceramics, which also was the 7th LBL/MMRD International Materials Symposium, was held on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley from July 28 to August 1, 1980. It was devoted to the subject of surfaces and interfaces in ceramic and ceramic-metal systems. The program was timely and of great interest, as indicated by the large number of contributed papers, which included contributions from ten foreign countries. These proceedings are divided into the following categories dealing with the chemistry and physics of interfaces: calculations of interface/surface states, characterization of surfaces and inter faces, thermodynamics of interfaces, influence of surface and inter faces on selected ceramic processes, grain boundary structures, effects of grain boundaries on deformation and fracture, interfacial phenomena, formation of interfaces, development of adhesion, and reactions at interfaces. A number of papers deal specifically with the Si-Si02 interface, which probably has received more attention than any other because of its importance in the electronics industry. This coverage fulfills the principal objective of the symposium which was to explore and assess the current fundamental understand ing of interfaces and surfaces. A parallel objective of the symposium was fulfilled by a group of papers dealing with the correlation of interfacial characteris tics with mechanical behavior. This group includes papers dealing with the adherence of dissimilar materials at interfaces."

This book presents theory, fundamentals and applications of ferroelectricy. 24 chapters gather reviews and research reports covering the spectrum of ferroelectricity. It describes the current levels of understanding of various aspects of ferroelectricity as presented by authorities in the field. Topics include relaxors, piezoelectrics, microscale and nanoscale studies, polymers and composites, unusual properties, and techniques and devices. The book is intended for physicists, engineers and materials scientists working with ferroelectric materials.

This meeting, ZIRCONIA 'SS - Advances in Zirconia Science and Technology, was held within the framework of the 7tb SIMCER - International Symposium on Ceramics (Bologna, December 14-17, 1988) organized by the Italian Ceramic Center of Bologna, with the sponsorship of ENEA and Agip and the endorsement of the American Ceramic Society, and under the auspices of the European Ceramic Society. In the year 1988, the University of Bologna celebrated its 900th Anniversary. ZIRCONIA '88 was one of the celebration events which brought together academics and researchers from allover the world. Under the chairmanship of Prof. C. Palmonari, Director of the Italian Ceramic Center of the University of Bologna, the Organizing Committee consisting of J. Castaing (C.N.R.S. Meudon, France), S. Meriani (University of Trieste, Italy), V. Prodi (Un-iversity of Bologna, Italy) and J. Routbort (U.S. Dept. of Energy, Washington, USA) conducted a conference program of 47 contributions presented to the 220 enrolled Zirconia participants, out of the 775 enlisted within the main SIMCER framework. The aim of ZIRCONIA '88 was to follow the stream of the well known International Conferences on the Science and Technology of zj rconia held in Cleveland, Ohio (1980), Stuttgart, Federal Republic of Germany (1983) and Tokyo, Japan (1986). SIMCER's goal was to bring together not only scientists and engineers directly involved with "advanced" ceramics but also a larger audience connected to the nearby Italian Ceramic District of Sassuolo.

The first NATO Advanced Study Institute on Nitrogen Ceramics held in 1976 at Canterbury came at a particularly significant moment in the development of this subject. The five-year period, 1971-75, had been an especially fruitful one in very many respects for work in the areas of covalent materials in general, and of the nitrides in particular. The Institute was therefore able to cap ture fully the spirit of excitement and adventure engendered by the outputs of numerous national research programmes, as well as those of many smaller research groups, concerning ceramics potent ially suitable for applications in a high temperature engineering context. It reflected accurately the state of knowledge with respect to the basic science, the powder technology, and the prop erties of materials based on silicon nitride and associated syst ems. The Proceedings of the Institute thus provided a good record for workers already in the field, and a useful textbook for new comers to the subject of nitrogen ceramics. The Canterbury Advanced Study Institute had a valuable educ ational and social function in bringing together for two weeks a large proportion of those workers most closely involved at that time with the nitrogen ceramics. The atmosphere of this meeting, providing both intensive discussions and informal contacts, made a lasting impression on the participants, and inevitably the question was raised of whether, and when, a second Advanced Study Institute might be held on this subject."

'!he present survey is the result of a ccrnprehensive study of patents and patent applications suhnitted in France, the Federal Republic of Gennany, the United Kingdan and Europe (Munich), p..!blished since 1976 and canprising !lOre than 750 publications, classified in accordance with the INl'ERNATICNAL PATENT CLASSIFI~TION, classes C 01 B; sub-classes 21, 33, 35; C 01 G, sub- class 25; C 04 B, sub-class 35. '!he Ill3.jor part of the patents was granted to applicants fran the United Kingdan, the Federal Republic of Gennany, France, the United States of America and .Japan. Alt:hcA1gh the I.P.C. of basic refractories and ceramics produced therefran is !lOSt useful in assessing validity and in supporting "prior art" searches, it does not satisfy the requirements of scientists and technicians Who work in this field and Who are also interested in the oanposition of such Ill3.terials and the methods for producing them. As regards Part III, relating to finished products, it was decided to follow a classification based on specific parts of Ill3.chines and installations Where ceramics are !lOSt CClTITOnly applied. It should be observed that ceramic Ill3.chine parts and other ceramic canp:Jsitions are widely spread over the I. P.C. system, canprising !lOre than 10,000 docurrents published since 1975.

The material in this book is based on invited and contributed pa pers presented at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on INon-stoichio l metric Compounds held in Ringberg Castle, Rottach-Egern (Bavarian Alps), Germany, July 3-9, 1988. The workshop followed previous meetings held in Mogilany, Poland (1980), Alenya, France (1982), Penn State, USA (1984) and Keele University, UK (1986). The aim of these workshops is to present and discuss up-to-date knowledge in the study of non-stoichiometry and its effect on materials properties as well as to indicate the most urgent research pathways required in this field. Since the subject of non-stoichiometry is interdisciplinary, the workshops bring together solid state physicists and chemists, surface scientists, materials scientists, ceramists and metallurgists. The present workshop, which gathered 42 scientists of an inter national reputation, mainly considered the effect of surfaces, grain boundaries and structural defects on materials properties. From discus sions during this meeting it emerged that correct understanding of properties of ceramic materials requires urgent studies on the defect structure of the interface region. Progress in this direction requires the development of the interface defect chemistry. This is the task for materials scientists in the near future. The present proceedings includes both theoretical and experimen tal work on general aspects of non-stoichiometry, defect structure and diffusion in relation to the bulk and to the interface region of such materials as high tech ceramics, solid electrolytes, electronic cera mics, nuclear materials and high Tc oxide superconductors."

"Sample Controlled Thermal Analysis" (SCTA) defines the branch of thermal analysis in which a feedback from the sample is used to control its heating or cooling. It is therefore the sample itself which determines its own heating and cooling conditions, as the name implies. This approach is a real breakthrough in the field of thermal analysis. It has the advantage, compared with conventional thermal analysis, of eliminating uncertainties due to thermal effects in the sample container, improving resolution, and accurately determining reaction temperatures and accurate kinetic data. SCTA has, since its introduction in the early 1970's, been used in many studies both on inorganic and to a certain extent organic (polymers) compounds with the aim of studying the temperature, type and kinetics of reactions taking place during heating and cooling; in the case of ceramics and adsorbents SCTA has even been used in the synthesis of materials with specific properties. These techniques are now also available in commercial thermal analysis instruments.
Sample Controlled Thermal Analysis gives a short presentation of the spirit and history of SCTA and then focuses on: basic SCTA techniques, applications of SCTA in kinetic studies and applications in the study of ceramics, adsorbents and catalysts. Finally the expected future development of SCTA is discussed.
This book is an invaluable reference for materials scientists, chemists, geologists, and engineers involved in the development of new materials, the manufacturing processes and quality control. It is also useful for research in solid state chemistry, materials science, materials in general, and analytical chemistry. Producers of thermoanalytical equipment and manufacturers of catalysts, technological ceramics and adsorbents for industrial or environment applications will find this an important resource.

This volume constitutes the Proceedings of a Symposium on the Plastic Deformation of Ceramic Materials, held at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, July 17, 18, and 19, 1974. The theme of this conference focused on single crystal and polycrystalline deformation processes in ceramic materials. The 31 contributed papers by 52 authors, present a current understand ing of the theory and application of deformation processes to the study and utilization of ceramic materials. The program chairmen gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance for the Symposium provided by the United States Atomic Energy Commission, The National Science Foundation, and The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences of The Pennsylvania State University. Special acknowledgment is extended to Drs. Louis C. Ianniello and Paul K. Predecki of the AEC and NSF, respectively. Of course, the proceedings would not have been possible without the excellent cooperation of the authors in preparing their manuscripts. Special appreciation is extended to the professional organi zation services provided by the J. Orvis Keller Conference Center of The Pennsylvania State University. In particular, Mrs. Patricia Ewing should be acknowledged for her excellent program organization and planning. Finally, we also wish to thank our secretaries for the patience and help in bringing these Proceedings to press.

Carbides, nitrides and borides are families of related refractory materials. Traditionally they have been employed in applications associated with engineering ceramics where either high temperature strength or stability is of primary importance. In recent years there has been a growing awareness of the interesting electrical, thermal and optical properties exhibited by these materials, and the fact that many can be prepared as monolithic ceramics, single crystals and thin films. In practical terms carbides, nitrides and borides offer the prospect of a new generation of semiconductor materials, for example, which can function at very high temperatures in severe environmental conditions. However, as yet, we have only a limited understanding of the detailed physics and chemistry of the materials and how the preparation techniques influence the properties. Under the auspices of the NATO Science Committee an Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) was held on the Physics and Chemistry of Carbides, Nitrides and Borides (University of Manchester, 18-22 September, 1989) in order to assess progress to date and identify the most promising themes and materials for future research. An international group of 38 scientists considered developments in 5 main areas: The preparation of powders, monolithic ceramics, single crystals and thin films; Phase transformations, microstructure, defect structure and mass transport; Materials stability; Theoretical studies; Electrical, thermal and optical properties of bulk materials and thin films.

This volume contains the proceedings of the 2nd European Symposium on Engineering Ceramics held in London, 23-24 November 1987. The meeting was attended by almost 200 scientists and engineers, primarily drawn from industry, and the Sessions were chaired by Mr Eric Briscoe, past President of the Institute of Ceramics. Very effective symposium organisation was provided by IBC Technical Services Ltd. The engineering ceramics are a class of materials which has over some 50 years found well-established applications based on the materials' chemical stability and wear resistance. The last 20 years have seen intensified efforts to extend applications for these materials into areas traditionally occupied by metals, but in which the typical metallic weaknesses of wear, and of high temperature creep and oxidation, are now creating significant problems. These efforts have, however, in many cases been undermined on the one hand by the inherent ceramic weaknesses of brittleness and flaw sensitivity, and on the other by an inadequate understanding, and control, of the basic ceramic fabrication processes required for the low-cost mass production of relatively complex components. The positive results of the efforts of the last 20 years have been the development of a large new group of ceramic materials believed to possess intrinsic mechanical property advantages, of which the transformation toughened zirconias, and the ceramic matrix composites are good examples, together with improved powder production methods and powder shaping processes.

The emergence of synthetic ceramics as a prominent class of materials with a unique combination of properties has been an important part of the materials-science scene over the past 20 years. These 'high-technology' ceramics have varied applications in areas utilizing their exceptional mechanical, thermal, optical, magnetic or electronic properties. A notable development of the 1970s was that of 'Si-based' ceramics (Si3N4' SiC and 'Sialons') as high-temperature engineering solids. More recently the zirconia-based ceramics have evolved as a class of material with significant improvements in fracture-toughness. In the 1980s we are on the threshold of development of ceramic-matrix composites with the promise of over coming major limitations in engineering design with 'brittle' ceramics and the development of novel properties unattainable with monolithic micro structures. Throughout this period there have been significant but less well-publicized developments in the field of glass-ceramics and glasses. It is the purpose of this publication to review selected topics within this important area of materials science. A key element in understanding the relation between properties and microstructure is a knowledge of atomic arrangement in ceramic phases. Recent developments in NMR and X-ray absorption spectroscopies have had considerable impact on studies of atomic co-ordination in glasses and crystalline ceramic materials and are reviewed in Chapters 1 and 2. Glass-ceramics are derived from the parent glasses by controlled crystal lization and have properties dictated, in part, by the efficiency of crystal nucleation within the glass volume."

Boron Oxide plays a key role in numerous glasses of high technological importance, yet its role in glass structure is far from clear. Indeed, in recent years there have been serious chal lenges to previous structure concepts for both crystalline and glassy borates. These challenges were sufficient to warrant a re examination of the structure of borate glasses using the most pow erful tools currently available. To provide a suitable forum for this undertaking, a four-day conference on "Boron in Glass and Glass Ceramics" was convened at Alfred University, June 3-8, 1977 to review the best scientific thinking on structure and to debate conflicting views and discuss properties and applications of borate glasses. This conference was also the first in a New University series on Glass Science to be rotated among Alfred University, The Pensyl vania State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the University of Missouri-Rolla. The present volume represents the proceedings of the first conference in this series. The volume begins with a review of the remarkable contribution of Jan Krogh-Moe to the understanding of the structure of Borate glasses. This review, authored by Professor N. J. Kreidl, concludes by dedicating the proceedings of this conference as a Krogh-Moe Fest schrift. The volume continues with a historical review by D. L. Griscom, originally prepared for circulation to the contributors prior to the conference. An Epilogue to the opening chapter brings the survey up-to-date in light of the conference papers."

These volumes constitute the Proceedings of a Symposium on the Fracture Mechanics of Ceramics, held at the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, July 11, 12, and 13, 1973. The theme of the symposium focussed on the mechanical behavior of brittle ceramics in terms of the characteristics of cracks. The 52 contributed papers by 87 authors, present an overview of the cur rent understanding of the theory and application of fracture mechan ics to brittle ceramics. The program chairmen gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance for the Symposium provided by the Office of Naval Re search, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences of the Pennsyl vania State University, the Materials Research Center of Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvana and Westinghouse Research Laboratories, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Special appreciation is extended to the expert organization provided by the J. Orvis Keller Conference Center of the Pennsyl vania State Conference Center of the Pennsylvania State University. In particular, Mrs. Patricia Ewing should be acknowledged for the excellent program organization and planning. Dean Harold J. O'Brien, who was featured as the after-dinner speaker and who presented a most stimulating talk on the communication between people, also contrib uted to the success of the meeting. Finally, we also wish to thank our joint secretaries for the patience and help in bringing these Proceedings to press. University Park R. C. Bradt Bethlehem D. P. H. Hasselman Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania F. F. Lange July, 1973 v CONTENTS OF VOLUME 1 Contents of Volume 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."

A variety of ceramic materials has been recently shown to exhibit nonlinear stress strain behavior. These materials include transformation-toughened zirconia which undergoes a stress-induced crystallographic transformation in the vicinity of a propagating crack, microcracking ceramics, and ceramic-fiber reinforced ceramic matrices. Since many of these materials are under consideration for structural applications, understanding fracture in these quasi-brittle materials is essential. Portland cement concrete is a relatively brittle material. As a result mechanical behavior of concrete, conventionally reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete and fiber reinforced concrete is critically influenced by crack propagation. Crack propagation in concrete is characterized by a fracture process zone, microcracking, and aggregate bridging. Such phenomena give concrete toughening mechanisms, and as a result, the macroscopic response of concrete can be characterized as that of a quasi-brittle material. To design super high performance cement composites, it is essential to understand the complex fracture processes in concrete. A wide range of concern in design involves fracture in rock masses and rock structures. For example, prediction of the extension or initiation of fracture is important in: 1) the design of caverns (such as underground nuclear waste isolation) subjected to earthquake shaking or explosions, 2) the production of geothermal and petroleum energy, and 3) predicting and monitoring earthquakes. Depending upon the grain size and mineralogical composition, rock may also exhibit characteristics of quasi-brittle materials."

This volume entitled Advanced Science and Technology of Sintering, contains the edited Proceedings of the Ninth World Round Table Conference on Sintering (IX WRTCS), held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, September 1-4 1998. The gathering was one in a series of World Round Table Conferences on Sintering organised every four years by the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SASA) and the International Institute for the Science of Sintering (IISS). The World Round Table Conferences on Sintering have been traditionally held in Yugoslavia. The first meeting was organised in Herceg Novi in 1969 and since then they have regularly gathered the scientific elite in the science of sintering. It is not by chance that, at these conferences, G. C. Kuczynski, G. V. Samsonov, R. Coble, Ya. E. Geguzin and other great names in this branch of science presented their latest results making great qualitative leaps in the its development. Belgrade hosted this conference for the first time. It was chosen as a reminder that 30 years ago it was the place where the International Team for Sintering was formed, further growing into the International Institute for the Science of Sintering. The IX WRTCS lasted four days. It included 156 participants from 17 countries who presented the results of their theoretical and experimental research in 130 papers in the form of plenary lectures, oral presentations and poster sections.

Conventional materials, such as nickel based alloys, will not be able to match the required performance specifications for the future generation of high temperature materials. This book reviews the characteristics and potential of a wide range of candidate superalloy replacements, such as ceramics, intermetallics, and their composites. Particular attention is devoted to the problems of processing and design with these materials.

Glass technologists are fascinated by glass; explora tion as well as application of glass is expanding and the influx of documentation is bewildering. There were about 200 papers on just semi conduction in glasses in 1970 and one has to scan about 200 papers a month to sense the pulse of glass science. Yet there are many in industry and education in science or engineering who require or wish to have coher ent, comprehensive and contemporary information on this exciting material "glass. " The Tutorial Symposium offered as an Introduction to Glass Science in Alfred represents an earnest attempt to ful fill this need. It has been designed to provide both broad and technical instruction for participants and readers who are not specialists. Glass is not only a material but a condition of matter: the vitreous state. The topic, there fore, is introduced by a careful consideration of the nature of glass, or the vitreous state. The universality of the vitreous state is now generally recognized: not just a few, but very many structures can be obtained without appreciable crystallization. There is no restricted family of struc tures characteristic of glass formation: as long as crys tallization is avoided, every liquid will solidify to a non crystalline sUbstance. Structural analysis in each case is now to be postulated and has become increasingly successful. The Alfred "Introduction to Glass Science" offers a repre sentative overview of methods and results.

Sol-Gel Techniques for Glass Producers and Users provides technological information, descriptions and characterizations of prototypes, or products already on the market, and illustrates advantages and disadvantages of the sol-gel process in comparison to other methods. The first chapter entitled "Wet Chemical Technology" gives a summary of the basic principles of the sol-gel chemistry. The most promising applications are related to coatings. Chapter 2 describes the various "Wet Chemical Coating Technologies" from glass cleaning to many deposition and post-coating treatment techniques. These include patterning of coatings through direct or indirect techniques which have became very important and for which the sol-gel processing is particularly well adapted. Chapter 3 entitled "Bulk Glass Technologies" reports on the preparation of special glasses for different applications. Chapter 4 entitled "Coatings and Materials Properties" describes the properties of the different coatings and the sol-gel materials, fibers and powders. The chapter also includes a section dedicated to the characterization techniques especially applied to sol-gel coatings and products.