Very light, very strong. extremely reliable -aircraft and aerospace
engineers are. and have to be. very demanding partners in the materials
community. The results of their research and development work is not
only crucial for one special area of applications. but can also lead the
way to new solutions in many other areas of advanced technology.
Springer-Verlag and the undersigned editor are pleased to present in
this volume. an overview of the many facets of materials science and
technology which have been the objective of intensive and systematic
research work during past decades in the laboratories of the German
Aerospace Research Establishment. Its contents shows clearly the
interrelations between goals defined by the user. fundamentals provided
by the scientists and viable solutions developed by the practical
engineer. The particular personal touch which has been given to this
volume by its authors in dedicating it as a farewell present to
Professor Wolfgang Bunk. inspiring sci- entist and director of the DLR
Intitute of Materials Research for more than 20 years. has obviously
given an added value to this important publication. Surely. this truly
cooperative endeavour will render a valuable service to a large interna-
tional community of interested readers. many of them having personal
links to the Institute. its director and its staff.