This is an advanced text on the microstructure and properties of materials, the first volume of a possible 3-volume set. While there are many elementary texts in materials science, there are very few advanced texts. Chapter 1 on aluminum alloys presents microstructural optimization and critical considerations in design applications. Chapter 2 on Nickel-base superalloys reviews the compositional, microstructural and processing advances in increasing their maximum use temperature. Chapter 3 on metal matrix composites discusses the strengthening mechanisms of metals dispersed with short fibers or particles. Chapter 4 on polymer matrix composites contains the details of the microsturcture property relationships of high performance fibers, polymer matrix material and the advanced composites made therewith. Chapter 5 on ceramics matrix composites describes the fibers and matrix materials used, the processing techniques involved and the mechanical properties under different loading conditions. Chapter 6 on inorganic glasses describes the influence of second phases, both glassy and cyrstalline on their properties. Chapter 7 on superconducting materials shows the importance of twins, grain boundaries, dislocations and stacking faults. Chapter 8 on magnetic materials introduces the domain structure and its effects on the soft and hard magnetic properties.Contents:Microstructure and Properties of Aluminium Alloys (C P Blakenship, Jr, et al.)Nickel-Base Superalloys (N S Stoloff)Metal Matrix Composites (R J Arsenault)Polymer Matrix Composites (J-K Kim & Y-W Mai)Ceramic Matrix Composites (P G Karandikar et al.)Microstructure of Inorganic Glasses (R H Doremus)Microstructure and Properties of Superconducting Materials (C S Pande)Magnetic Materials (C D Graham, Jr)Readership: Postgraduate students and researchers in materials science.Key Features:Has dramatic implications for social science and the humanities, for philosophy and for educationWritten in an informal, accessible way (with the exception of the appendix, which is more technical)Sets out to solve basic philosophical problems concerning science