The use of high-pressure techniques has become popular for studying the nature of substances and phenomena occurring in them, especially as a means of obtaining new materials (synthesis under high pressure) and processing known materials (hydroextrusion). A product of many years of research by the authors and their colleagues, Phase Transitions in Solids under High Pressure discusses the relationships of phase transformations in solids under high pressure, the mechanism of these transformations, crystal geometry, the effect of deformation, the conditions of formation, and preservation of the high-pressure phases under normal pressure. The book begins with an introduction that describes the relationship of the thermodynamics of phase transformations and the kinetics of the transformations. This is followed by a chapter explaining the equipment and mostly original procedures for investigating phase transformation in solids under high hydrostatic and quasi-hydrostatic pressures. The book covers phase transformations under high pressure in a wide temperature range in the elements carbon, silicon, germanium, titanium, zirconium, iron, gallium, and cerium as well as in titanium- and iron-based alloys and AIBVII, AIIBVI, and AIIIBV compounds. In addition, the book examines the kinetics of phase transformations in iron-based alloys in isobaric–isothermal conditions. The authors present results for phase transformations in deformation under high pressure, describe several non-trivial effects associated with phase transformations under high pressure, and analyze the kinetics and hysteresis of high-temperature and low-temperature phase transformations. They conclude by describing the role of investigations under high pressure for determining general relationships governing phase transformations in solids.

As laboratories replace heavy hydraulic presses and bulky high-pressure chambers with miniature diamond anvils, traditional heaters with laser heating, and continue to improve methods of shock compression, there has been considerable new data obtained from the high-pressure, high-temperature modification of pure elements. The dense metallic modification of elements shows the potential for achieving superconductivity akin to theoretical predictions. Phase Transformations of Elements Under High Pressure contains the latest theoretical and experimental information on nearly 100 elements, including first-and second-phase transitions, melting lines, crystal structures of stable and metastable phases, stability of polymorphic modifications, and other useful properties and data. It emphasizes features such as changes in the liquid state, amorphization, and metallization, and provides temperature-pressure diagrams for every element. The book also describes the transitions of polymeric forms of fullerene, crystal modifications of elements stable under high pressures, and provides data that confirms their superconducting and magnetic properties. This handbook will be a lasting reference for scientists in a broad range of disciplines, including solid-state physics, chemistry, crystallography, mineralogy, and materials science.

There is no paucity of books on high pressure. Beginning with P. W. Bridgman's The Physics of High Pressure, books of general interest include the two-volume Physics and Chemistry of High Pressure, edited by R. S. Bradley, and the series, Advances in High Pressure Research, as well as the report on the Lake George Conference in 1960. Solid state physics is well represented by Solids Under Pressure, edited by Paul and Warschauer, by Physics of Solids at High Pressure, edited by Tomizuka and Emrick, and by Properties Physiques des Solides sous Pression, edited by Bloch, as well as by chapters in Volumes 6, 13, 17, and 19 of Solid State Physics, edited by Seitz, Turnbull, and Ehrenreich. Chemistry in gases and liquids is covered in Weale's Chemical Reactions at High Pressure, and Hamann's Physico-chemical Effects of Pressure. In addition to the coverage of techniques and calibrations in the above volumes, Modern Very High Pressure Techniques, edited by Wentorf, High Pressure Methods in Solid State Research, by C. C. Bradley, The Accurate Characterization of the High Pressure Environment, edited by E. C. Lloyd, and a chapter in Volume 11 of Solid State Physics are devoted entirely to this facet of high pressure research. It is not our plan either to supersede or extend these approaches. It is our purpose here to discuss the effect of high pressure on the electronic properties of solids.

Phase transitions are involved in phenomena ranging from the initial stages of the creation of the Universe to the existence of biological objects. It is natural to as whether any phenomena analogous to phase transitions are possible in disordered substances like liquids and glasses. The possibility of such transitions is still very much a matter of debate. Neither the nature nor the features of transformations in liquids and glasses are yet clear, nor is the nature of the order parameters. Investigations in recent years have shown that transformations in liquids and glasses lead to a drastic change of their physical properties and short-range order structure. The papers collected here contribute to a better understanding of the physics of disordered systems and phase transformations in them. An unambiguous identification of transitions in liquids and glasses requires further high-precision experimental study of the thermodynamic and structural properties in the vicinity of transitions in order to test existing theoretical models and develop new, more accurate ones.

Why does someone write a book about Tungsten? There are several reasons and precedents for this, the most important of which is that the last book on tungsten was written more than 20 years ago, in 1977, by St. W H. Yih and Ch T. Wang. During the intervening period there have been many new scientific and technological developments and innova tions, so it was not only our opinion but the view of many other members of the "tungsten family" that it was time to start writing a new book about tungsten. Preparations of the new book began in 1994. further impetus to the project was provided by the realization that in spite of this new knowledge having been presented at seminars or published in the technical press, a general acknowledgement of it by the majority of technicians and scientists is still far from being realized. It is our hope that this book will significantly contribute to a broader acceptance of recent scientific and technological innovations. An important prerequisite for such a project is the availability of a recently retired, experienced person willing to devote his time and talents to the tedious part of the exercise.

The Physics of Phase Transitions occupies an important place at the crossroads of several fields central to materials sciences. This second edition incorporates new developments in the states of matter physics, in particular in the domain of nanomaterials and atomic Bose-Einstein condensates where progress is accelerating. New information and application examples are included. This work deals with all classes of phase transitions in fluids and solids, containing chapters on evaporation, melting, solidification, magnetic transitions, critical phenomena, superconductivity, and more. End-of-chapter problems and complete answers are included.

This collection is organized around the central theme of “Martensite by Design.” Contributions include design, microstructure, properties, advanced processing and manufacturing, performance, phase transformations, and characterization.