Itroduction to the Study of Physical Metallurgy

Abstract

IT may be doubted whether the title of this book has been happily chosen. So far as its subject matter is concerned, with the exception of one chapter on the mechanical testing of metals, it has hitherto been described by the term “Metallography.” The latter, which dates back to 1721, was originally used to signify the description of metals and their properties. In this sense it is certainly obsolete, but it was re-introduced in 1892 to describe the microscopic structure of metals and alloys, since when, as Dr. Desch points out in his text-book, “Metallography “(Longmans and Co.), “it has been generally accepted, gradually receiving an extension of meaning to include investigations by other than microscopic means.” Dr. Rosenhain, in using the term physical metallurgy to describe such subject matter, writes:-“The scope of physical metallurgy is an exceedingly wide one, and one which brings it well over the borderland of several sister sciences-such as chemistry on the one side, physics on another, and that branch of knowledge generally known as strength of materials in yet another direction. Besides these, crystallography bears largely on our subject.” This being the case, it appears to the writer that “Metallography” is the more appropriate title, as being both more accurate, more inclusive, and better suited to a rapidly growing science. Nowhere in this book, so far as can be seen, does the author attempt to bring the terms “Physical Metallurgy” and “Metallography” into relation with each other, and there are places where he appears to use them as interchangeable expressions.

An Introduction to the Study of Physical Metallurgy.

By Dr. W. Rosenhain. Pp. xxii + 368. (London: Constable and Co., Ltd., 1914.) Price 10s. 6d. net.