Handbook of refractory compounds

M E T A L L O G R A P H Y 14:363 (1981) 363 Book Review G. V. Samsonov and I. M. Vinitskii, Handbook of Refractory Compounds (translated from the Russian by Kenneth Shaw). IFI/Plenum Press, New York, 1980. The data presented in this fine 555-page compilation of general, thermodynamic, electrical, magnetic, physical, and chemical properties of refractory materials (excluding oxides) will supply the engineer or scientist with sufficient information to allow the use of many refractory compounds. While for many such compounds the information remains insufficient to fill all the tables, the handbook appears to be as complete as was possible at time of printing. Many of the tables are very nearly complete, such as those giving the composition of refractory compounds, crystal structure, density (determined by both pycnometric and x-ray analysis), melting point, free energy (including temperature formulations), vapor pressure, and vaporization rate. Some of the tables, while not complete, are still most important. These include tables of atomization energy, the mean square amplitude of thermal vibration, superconductivity, the Hall constant, electron specific heat, and Vicker's, Rockwell, and microhardness. Chapters VI-VIII, relating to the usefulness of refractory compounds, are of special interest. Chapter VI covers in detail resistance to acid and alkalies, to oxidation, and to chlorine. Chapter VII covers the refractory properties of the compounds. These include wettability by molten metals, alloys, slags and molten salts, alkalies, and oxides and reaction with hightemperature gases. Chapter VIII, perhaps the most interesting from an engineering viewpoint, gives a thorough examination of the different ways that refractory compounds have already been put to use for engineering and scientific purposes and describes the various important properties that have made these compounds attractive. These two authors have produced a useful and valuable handbook. R. E. JORDAN B. F. Goodrich Chemical Group 6100 Oak Tree Boulevard Cleveland, Ohio 44131 © Elsevier North Holland, Inc., 1981 52 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, NY 10017 0026-0800/81/040363 + 01502.50