The Theory of Transformations in Metals and Alloys

This work is a classic reference text for metallurgists, material scientists and crystallographers. The first edition was published in 1965. The first part of that edition was revised and re-published in 1975 and again in 1981. The present two-part set represents the eagerly awaited full revision by the author of his seminal work, now published as Parts I and II.

Professor Christian was one of the founding fathers of materials science and highly respected worldwide. The new edition of his book deserves a place on the bookshelf of every materials science and engineering department.

Suitable thermal and mechanical treatments will produce extensive rearrangements of the atoms in metals and alloys, and corresponding marked variations in physical and chemical properties. This book describes how such changes in the atomic configuration are effected, and discusses the associated kinetic and crystallographic features. It deals with areas such as lattice geometry, point defects, dislocations, stacking faults, grain and interphase boundaries, solid solutions, diffusion, etc. The first part covers the general theory while the second part is concerned with descriptions of specific types of transformations.

Part I General introduction. Formal geometry of crystal lattices. The theory of reaction rates. The thermodynamics of irreversable processes. The structure of real metals. Solids solutions. The theory of dislocations. Polycrystalline aggregates. Diffusion in the solid state. The classical theory of nucleation. Theory of thermally activated growth. Formal theory of transformation kinetics.

Part II Growth from the vapour phase. Solidification and melting. Polymorphic Changes. Precipitation from supersaturated solid solution. Eutectoidal transformations. Order-disorder transformations. Recovery recrystalisation and grain growth. Deformation twinning. Characteristics of martensic transformations. Crystallography of martensitic transformations. Kinetics of martensitic transformations. Rapid solidification. Bainite steels. Shape memory alloys.