Metastable Solids from Undercooled Melts (Pergamon Materials Series, Volume 10)

Good+ condition. Hardcover, ix + 375 pages, NOT ex-library. Weight 945g. Good+. A faint grubby mark on one of the front endpapers. Else book is clean and bright with unmarked text, free of inscriptions and stamps, firmly bound. Shelfworn marks and scratches on the boards. Issued without a dust jacket. -- This monograph provides a rigorous and systematic treatment of the physics governing the formation of non-equilibrium solid phases from deeply undercooled liquids. The work is structured around the core theoretical pillars of the field: the thermodynamics and kinetics of nucleation, the theory of rapid dendritic and eutectic growth, and the principles of competitive phase selection. A significant focus is dedicated to the advanced experimental techniques required for such studies, with detailed discussions on containerless processing methods like electromagnetic and electrostatic levitation, drop tube processing, and calorimetry. The authors apply these fundamental concepts to explain the formation of a wide range of materials, including supersaturated solid solutions, intermetallic compounds, quasicrystals, and bulk metallic glasses. The book stands as a definitive reference for researchers and graduate students in physical metallurgy, materials science, and condensed matter physics. -- An in-depth examination of the formation and properties of metastable solid phases that form when melts are cooled below their normal freezing point. This work offers a thorough analysis of the thermodynamic and kinetic processes that occur during the solidification of undercooled melts. It covers experimental techniques, theoretical models, and case studies of various materials, making it an essential resource for scientists and engineers interested in materials science and phase transitions. The volume begins by introducing the concept of undercooling and the conditions under which melts can remain in a liquid state below their equilibrium solidification temperature. It explains the importance of undercooling for the creation of metastable phases, which often exhibit unique structural, mechanical, and physical properties. The book further discusses the nucleation process, crystal growth kinetics, and the factors that influence the formation of metastable phases, such as cooling rate, impurities, and the material's chemical composition. Key chapters focus on experimental methods for undercooling melts and observing metastable phases, including levitation techniques, electromagnetic fields, and rapid quenching methods. These techniques allow for precise control of cooling rates and conditions necessary to produce metastable solids. The text also covers theoretical models that predict the behaviour of materials during undercooling and solidification, offering insights into the phase diagrams and microstructural development of various materials. Throughout the book, case studies of specific materials, including metals, alloys, and glass-forming liquids, provide practical examples of how metastable phases are utilised in technological applications. The authors explore how these metastable materials can lead to enhanced performance in fields such as aerospace, electronics, and metallurgy. The volume concludes with a discussion on the future directions in research and technological applications of metastable materials, emphasising the potential for innovation in new material design and the expansion of metastable phase usage in industrial processes.…