Preface Free

The ASM Handbook, Volume 6, Welding, Brazing, and Soldering, has been organized into a unique format that we believe will provide Handbook users with ready access to needed materials-oriented joining information at a minimal level of frustration and study time. When we developed the organizational structure for this Volume, we recognized that engineers, technicians, researchers, designers, students, and teachers do not seek out joining information with the same level of understanding, or with the same needs. Therefore, we established distinct sections that were intended to meet the specific needs of particular users.

The experienced joining specialist can turn to the Section “Consumable Selection, Procedure Development, and Practice Considerations” and find detailed joining materials data on a well-defined problem. This Handbook also provides guidance for those who not only must specify the joining practice, but also the materials to be joined. The Section “Materials Selection for Joined Assemblies” contains comprehensive information about the properties, applications, and weldabilities of the major classes of structural materials. Together, these two major sections of the Handbook should provide an engineer assigned a loosely defined design problem with the means to make intelligent choices for completing an assembly.

Frequently, technologists are called upon to initiate and adopt welding processes without in-depth knowledge of these processes or the scientific principles that impact the properties and performance of weldments. The Sections “Fundamentals of Joining” and “Joining Processes” are designed to meet the needs of these users, or anyone who needs basic background information about joining processes and principles.

Welding, brazing, and soldering are truly interdisciplinary enterprises; no individual can be expected to be an expert in all aspects of these technologies. Therefore, we have attempted to provide a Handbook that can be used as a comprehensive reference by anyone needing materials-related joining information.

Many colleagues and friends contributed their time and expertise to this Handbook, and we are very grateful for their efforts. We would also like to express our thanks to the American Welding Society for their cooperation and assistance in this endeavor.