|
|
Exploring traditional, innovative, and revolutionary issues in the minerals,
metals, and materials fields. |
VISIT THE
JOM COVER GALLERY
|
|
01/4/2007 -
High Temperature Strain of Metals and Alloys: Physical Fundamentals (2006)
by Valim Levitin
ISBN 3-527-31338-9. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, Germany. 2006. Hardcover. 171 pages. $135.
High Temperature Strain of Metals and Alloys by Valim Levitin is a rather comprehensive study into creep deformation behavior of metals and alloy systems. Creep deformation of metals is a complex damage mechanism that is dealt with in this book by first evaluating crystal structures of various pure metals, on an atomic or micro-view basis. From this point on, the author moves into logical progression by explaining physical test methods of various pure metals and alloys to measure creep deformation, followed by the development of physical models and parametric equations to explain creep deformation behavior, concluding with a detailed explanation of creep deformation behavior and actually predicting creep deformation behavior in various superalloy and refractory metal systems.
My overall impression of this book is that it should be used as a textbook in an upper-level graduate engineering course because it explains and models creep behavior on a theoretical level. In dealing with the presentation and explanation of physical models and parametric equations related to slip systems in metal crystals, the author seemed to do a decent job of showing how these models and subsequent equations relate to actual creep deformation mechanisms. I especially felt that the detailed explanation related to stress and temperature effects on subgrain formation and destruction of subgrains, as it relates to creep deformation behavior of pure metals, was rather interesting.
In my estimation, about half of the book is devoted to providing a rather comprehensive dissertation on known creep deformation theories, comparing slip system behavior in metals, reviewing dislocation theory, and showing the development of models and parametric equations to predict how metals will deform upon exposure to elevated temperature service. The parametric equations are rather complex in nature and seemed to be presented and explained in such detail that a practicing materials or metallurgical engineer could understand with some effort. I found that the experimental data presented by the author seemed to corroborate the physical models he developed on explaining and predicting creep deformation behavior. The only drawback to the author’s creep deformation behavior models is that the number of metals and alloy systems was quite limited in application, in my opinion. I would have liked to see application of the physical models and parametric equations on a wider range of alloy systems and more practical application.
The second half of the book was, in my opinion, more applicable to a practicing materials or metallurgical engineer in dealing with creep deformation behavior. In this section of the book, the reader was better able to understand how the author’s parametric equations developed in the first half of the book could be used to predict creep deformation behavior in advanced superalloy and several refractory metal systems.
In general, the book was well organized in attempting to explain a complex subject. The table of contents was detailed enough to enable a reader to locate information related to specific topics. The appearance of the book was rather unique because of its size; it is smaller in size in comparison to a typical college textbook and contained only 171 pages, including the index. There was a comprehensive list of references at the back of the book. Overall, the text was sized correctly, and the figures and tables were located and numbered correctly in each chapter. I especially felt that the summary provided by the author at the end of each chapter was necessary and beneficial.
In comparing the book High Temperature Strain of Metals and Alloys by Valim Levitin to other college and reference text books on creep deformation behavior of materials, I believe the complex subject of creep deformation is discussed in greater theoretical detail by Levitin. However, the theoretical nature of this book does limit its use as a daily reference book for practicing engineers.
For more on High Temperature Strain of Metals and Alloys: Physical Fundamentals, visit the Wiley web site. |
| | The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society's JOM Book Review Program pages are
maintained with News Update 1.1 |
|
|
