This is the second book in a new series - "Materials Research and
Engineering" - devoted to the science and technology of materials.
"Materials Research and Engineering" evolves from a previous series on
"Reine und Allgemeine Metallkunde", which was edited by Werner KBster
until his eightieth birthday in 1976. Although the present series is an
outgrowth of the earlier one, it should not and cannot be regarded as a
continuation. There had to be a shift of scope - and a change in
presenta- tion as well. Metallurgy is no longer an isolated art and
science. Rather, it is linked by its scientific basis and technological
implications to non-metallic and composite materials, as well as to
processes for production, refining, shaping, surface treatment, and
application. Thus, the new series, "Materials Research and Engineering",
will present up-to-date information on scientific and technological pro-
gress, as well as on issues of general relevance within the engineering
field and industrial society. Following the general position analysis of
materials in the present world as given in volume 1, now volume 2
focuses on a special topic: It provides a thorough treatment of
theoretical, experimental, and applied aspects of superplasticity.