The aim of this book is to provide a coherent and up-to-date discussion of the scientific work concerning the transformation toughening of ceramics. We hope the book is useful to scientists, engineers and students who are new to these materials. It is intended both as a source of learning and information to those who are new to these materials. It is intended both as a source of learning behaviour and microstructural relationships in transformation-toughened ceramics. While it has been our aim to present a book that is current as possible at the time of publication, the subject is still expanding in many areas; so our hope is that the reader will also gain an insight into the direction of future advances.

This monograph develops the Grobner basis methods needed to perform efficient state-of- the-art calculations in the cohomology of finite groups. Results obtained include the first counterexample to the conjecture that the ideal of essential classes squares to zero. The context is J.F. Carlson's minimal resolutions approach to cohomology computations.

Over the past twenty-five years ceramics have become key materials in the development of many new technologies as scientists have been able to design these materials with new structures and properties. An understanding of the factors that influence their mechanical behavior and reliability is essential. This book will introduce the reader to current concepts in the field. It contains problems and exercises to help readers develop their skills. This is a comprehensive introduction to the mechanical properties of ceramics, and is designed primarily as a textbook for advanced undergraduates in materials science and engineering. It will also be of value as a supplementary text for more general courses and to industrial scientists and engineers involved in the development of ceramic-based products, materials selection and mechanical design.