The book comprises three parts. Part 1 gives a historical description of the development of ironworking techniques since the earliest times. Part 2 is the core of the book and deals with the metallurgical basis of microstructures, with four main themes: phase diagrams, solidification processes, diffusion, and solid state phase transformations. Part 3 begins by an introduction to steel design principles. It then goes on to consider the different categories of steels, placing emphasis on their specific microstructural features. Finally, a comprehensive reference list includes several hundred pertinent articles and books. The book is the work of a single author, thus ensuring uniformity and concision. It is intended for scientists, metallurgical engineers and senior technicians in research and development laboratories, design offices and quality departments, as well as for teachers and students in universities, technical colleges and other higher education establishments.

Presents all the main aspects of the microstructure of nickel-base superalloys, and includes micrographs chosen from among a large range of commercial and academic alloys, from the as-cast product to in-situ components, worn from in-service use. Including more than 100 illustrations, the text explains all the transformation mechanisms involved in the origination (creation) of microstructures during solidification or heat treatments (crystallization paths, segregation, crystal orientation, precipitation, TCP, coarsening and rafting, etc.). It includes up-to-date information and data such as phase diagrams, crystallographic structures, and relationships with functional properties. Nearly 300 references provide a key to further investigation.

The book comprises three parts. Part 1 gives a historical description of the development of ironworking techniques since the earliest times. Part 2 is the core of the book and deals with the metallurgical basis of microstructures, with four main themes: phase diagrams, solidification processes, diffusion, and solid state phase transformations. Part 3 begins by an introduction to steel design principles. It then goes on to consider the different categories of steels, placing emphasis on their specific microstructural features. Finally, a comprehensive reference list includes several hundred pertinent articles and books. The book is the work of a single author, thus ensuring uniformity and concision. It is intended for scientists, metallurgical engineers and senior technicians in research and development laboratories, design offices and quality departments, as well as for teachers and students in universities, technical colleges and other higher education establishments.