Preface

During the past decade, tremendous advances have taken place in the field of materials science. Rapid technological growth and development of composite materials, plastics, and ceramics combined with continued improvements in ferrous and nonferrous metals have made materials selection one of the most challenging endeavors for engineers. Yet the process of selection of materials has also evolved. No longer is a mere recitation of specifications, compositions, and properties adequate when dealing with this complex operation. Instead, information is needed that explains the correlation among the processing, structures, and properties of materials as well as their areas of use. It is the aim of this volume—the first in the new 10th Edition series of Metals Handbook—to present such data.

Like the technology it documents, the Metals Handbook is also evolving. To be truly effective and valid as a reference work, each Edition of the Handbook must have its own identity. To merely repeat information, or to simply make superficial cosmetic changes, would be self-defeating. As such, utmost care and thought were brought to the task of planning the 10th Edition by both the ASM Handbook Committee and the Editorial Staff.

To ensure that the 10th Edition continued the tradition of quality associated with the Handbook, it was agreed that it was necessary to:

• Determine which subjects (articles) not included in previous Handbooks needed to be added to the 10th Edition

• Determine which previously published articles needed only to be revised and/or expanded

• Determine which previously published articles needed to be completely rewritten

• Determine which areas needed to be de-emphasized

• Identify and eliminate obsolete data

The next step was to determine how the subject of properties selection should be addressed in the 10th Edition. Considering the information explosion that has taken place during the past 30 years, the single-volume approach used for Volume 1 of the 8th Edition (published in 1961) was not considered feasible. For the 9th Edition, three separate volumes on properties and selection were published from 1978 to 1980. This approach, however, was considered somewhat fragmented, particularly in regard to steels: carbon and low-alloy steels were covered in Volume 1, whereas tools steels, austenitic manganese steels, and stainless steels were described in Volume 3. After considering the various options, it was decided that the most logical and user-friendly approach would be to publish two comprehensive volumes on properties and selection. In the present volume, emphasis has been placed on cast irons, carbon and low-alloy steels, and high-performance alloys such as stainless steels and superalloys. A companion volume on properties and selection of nonferrous alloys and special-purpose materials will follow (see Table 1 for an abbreviated table of contents).

Volume 1 has been organized into seven major sections:

• Cast Irons

• Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels

• Hardenability of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels

• Fabrication Characteristics of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels

• Service Characteristics of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels

• Specialty Steels and Heat-Resistant Alloys

• Special Engineering Topics

Of the 53 articles contained in these sections, 14 are new, 10 were completely rewritten, and the remaining articles have been substantially revised. A review of the content of the major sections is given below; highlighted are differences between the present volume and its 9th Edition predecessor. Table 2 summarizes the content of the principal sections.

Cast irons are described in six articles. The introductory article on “Classification and Basic Metallurgy of Cast Iron” was completely rewritten for the 10th Edition. The article on “Compacted Graphite Iron” is new to the Handbook. Both of these contributions were authored by D.M. Stefanescu (The University of Alabama), who served as Chairman of Volume 15, Casting, of the 9th Edition. The remaining four articles contain new information on materials (for example, austempered ductile iron) and testing (for example, dynamic tear testing).

Key additions to this section include articles that explain the relationships among processing (both melt and rolling processes), microstructures, and properties of steels. Of particular note is the article by G. Krauss (Colorado School of Mines) on pages 126 to 139 and the various articles on high-strength low-alloy steels. Other highlights include an extensive tabular compilation that cross-references SAE-AISI steels to their international counterparts (see the article “Classification and Designation of Steels”) and an article on “Bearing Steels” that compares both case-hardened and through-hardened bearing materials.

Following articles that introduce H-steels and describe hardenability concepts, including test procedures to determine the hardening response of steels, a comprehensive collection of hardenability curves is presented. Both English and metric hardenability curves are provided for some 86 steels.

Sheet formability, forgeability, machinability, and weldability are described next. The article on bulk formability, which emphasizes recent studies on HSLA forging steels, is new to the Handbook series. The material on weldability was completely rewritten and occupies nearly four times the space allotted in the 9th Edition.

The influence of various in-service environments on the properties of steels is one of the most widely studied subjects in metallurgy. Among the topics described in this section are elevated-temperature creep properties, low-temperature fracture toughness, fatigue properties, and impact toughness. A new article also describes the deleterious effect of neutron irradiation on alloy and stainless steels. Of critical importance to this section, however, is the definitive treatise on “Embrittlement of Steels” written by G.F. Vander Voort (Carpenter Technology Corporation). Featuring more than 75 graphs and 372 references, this 48-page article explores the causes and effects of both thermal and environmental degradation on a wide variety of steels. Compared with the 9th Edition on the same subject, this represents a nearly tenfold increase in coverage.

Eleven articles on wrought, cast, and powder metallurgy materials for specialty and/or high-performance applications make up this section. Alloy development and selection criteria as related to corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant steels and superalloys are well documented. More than 100 pages are devoted to stainless steels, while three new articles have been written on superalloys—including one on newly developed directionally solidified and single-crystal nickel-base alloys used for aerospace engine applications.

The final section examines two subjects that are becoming increasingly important to the engineering community: (1) the availability and supply of strategic materials, such as chromium and cobalt, used in stainless steel and superalloy production, and (2) the current efforts to recycle highly alloyed materials. Both of these subjects are new to the Handbook series. A second article on recycling of nonferrous alloys will be published in Volume 2 of the 10th Edition.

Successful completion of this Handbook required the cooperation and talents of literally hundreds of professional men and women. In terms of the book's technical content, we are indebted to the authors, reviewers, and miscellaneous contributors–some 200 strong–upon whose collective experience and knowledge rests the accuracy and authority of the volume. Thanks are also due to the ASM Handbook Committee and its capable Chairman, Dennis D. Huffman (The Timken Company). The ideas and suggestions provided by members of the committee proved invaluable during the two years of planning required for the 10th edition. Lastly, we would like to acknowledge the efforts of those companies who have worked closely with ASM's editorial and production staff on this and many other Handbook volumes. Our thanks go to Byrd Data Imaging for their tireless efforts in maintaining a demanding typesetting schedule, to Rand McNally & company for the care and quality brought to printing the Handbook, and to Precision Graphics, Don O. Tech, Accurate Art, and HaDel Studio for their attention to detail during preparation of Handbook artwork. Their combined efforts have resulted in a significant and lasting contribution to the metals industry.