Bulk Metallic Glasses

Description

In spite of the large amount of research activity in this subfield of materials science and engineering, there is no single book available that provides background information, methods of synthesis, characterization procedures, properties, and potential and existing applications.of bulk metallic glasses. Written in an easy-to-understand style by pioneering researchers in this field, Bulk Metallic Glasses is one of the first books to coherently discuss the synthesis, processing, properties, and applications of these unique materials. The book explores the differences between nanocrystalline, glassy, and amorphous solids as well as the thermodynamics and kinetics and various processing methods of glass formation. It critically compares the different criteria for glass formation, describes the advantages and limitations of experimental methods for synthesizing bulk metallic glasses in assorted sizes and shapes, and examines the kinetics of crystallization/devitrification and the mechanisms of transformations. It also covers the density, diffusivity, thermal expansion, electrical resistivity, specific heat, viscosity, corrosion resistance, mechanical behavior, and magnetic properties of bulk metallic glasses. After presenting a wide array of applications, the book concludes with a discussion on the future of these materials. The adoption of bulk metallic glasses into existing systems is besieged by many obstacles but due to their interesting combination of properties, future applications may be unlimited. A one-stop resource on all aspects of bulk metallic glasses, this book demonstrates the immense potential of these novel materials. It clearly elucidates the background, detailed methods of synthesis and characterization, structure, and properties of bulk metallic glasses.