The present book focuses on the practical characteristics and applications of bulk amorphous alloys. The topics covered include: mechanical properties, corrosioin resistance, soft magnetic properties, magnetostrictive properties, hard magnetic properties, viscous flow, micro-formability, consolidation behaviour, dispersion strengthened by ceramic particles, nanocrystallization effects and cold workability. A previous volume on bulk amorphous alloys (published as Materials Science Foundations Vol. 4, 1998) dealt with the preparation and fundamental characteristics of bulk amorphous alloys.

The rapidly growing interest in bulk amorphous alloys has increasingly called for a substantial review to be made of the work published during the last ten years. Such a definitive review has now been published in two volumes.

Complex metal alloys (CMAs) comprise a huge group of largely unknown alloys and compounds, where many phases are formed with crystal structures based on giant unit cells containing atom clusters, ranging from tens of to more than thousand atoms per unit cell. In these phases, for many phenomena, the physical length scales are substantially smaller than the unit-cell dimension. Hence, these materials offer unique combinations of properties which are mutually exclusive in conventional materials, such as metallic electric conductivity combined with low thermal conductivity, good light absorption with high-temperature stability, high metallic hardness with reduced wetting by liquids, etc.This book is the second of a series of books issued yearly as a deliverable to the European Community of the School established within the European Network of Excellence CMA. Written by reputed experts in the fields of metal physics, surface physics, surface chemistry, metallurgy, and process engineering, this book brings together expertise found inside as well as outside the network to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in CMAs.

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.

The rapid technological developments during the later half of the 20th century have demanded materials that are stronger, capable of use at much higher temperatures, more corrosion-resistant, and much less expensive than those currently used. These demands become even more significant on the threshold of the new century and the millennium. Significant improvements in properties can only be achieved by processing the materials under far-from-equilibrium (or non-equilibrium) conditions. Several new processing technologies have been developed during the past few decades including, rapid solidification, spray forming, mechanical alloying, ion mixing, vapor deposition, laser processing and plasma processing. Remarkable advances have been made in recent years in the science and technology of these processes used to synthesize, characterize, and apply these materials processed under non-equilibrium conditions. Some of these techniques have evolved from laboratory curiosity to commercial-scale manufacturing in just a few years. In other cases, industrial necessity prompted development of the technology, and the science followed later. The chapters in this book have been written by people who are world-recognized experts in their respective fields. Each chapter describes the principles, processing techniques, special features of the materials produced, and their applications. An extensive list of references is provided at the end of each chapter that will facilitate location of additional information on specific aspects of any technique.

Alloy Materials and Their Allied Applications provides an in-depth overview of alloy materials and applications. The 11 chapters focus on the fabrication methods and design of corrosion-resistant, magnetic, biodegradable, and shape memory alloys. The industrial applications in the allied areas, such as biomedical, dental implants, abrasive finishing, surface treatments, photocatalysis, water treatment, and batteries, are discussed in detail. This book will help readers solve fundamental and applied problems faced in the field of allied alloys applications.

This volume presents contributions by a galaxy of eminent scientists and technologists from the world over in broad spectrum of areas in materials science, providing a global perspective on complex issues of current concern and the direction of research in these areas.