Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction (Hardcover)

by William D. Callister Jr. (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Solutions Manual, Transparencies and Interactive Simulation Software Package available. -- The publisher, John Wiley & Sons --This text refers to the Software edition.

Product Description
Building on the extraordinary success of five best-selling editions, Bill Callister's new Sixth Edition of MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING: AN INTRODUCTION continues to promote student understanding through clear and concise writing and familiar terminology that is not beyond student comprehension. Topics are organized and explained in an approachable manner, so that even instructors who do not have a strong materials background can teach from this user-friendly text.

The text treats the important properties of the three primary types of materials (metals, ceramics, and polymers) and composites, as well as the relationships that exist between the structural elements of materials and their properties. Throughout, the emphasis is on mechanical behavior and failure, including techniques that are employed to improve performance. Individual chapters discuss corrosion, electrical, thermal, magnetic, and optical properties, as well as new and cutting-edge materials.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 848 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 6 edition (August 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471135763
• ISBN-13: 978-0471135760
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #352,543 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're interested in this topic, this is the 1st choice!, June 3, 2004

By	Dr. Leslie Brown "Doc Brown" (Tenerife, Spain, Canary Islands.) - See all my reviews

This is a terrific book on the subject of Materials Science.
This is the sort of book more engineers should read, as they lack knowledge in this department. It covers metals, ceramics, plastics and composites as well as briefly covering other materials such as semiconductors. It talks about fabrication processes, microstructures as well as the properties of typical materials - for example with metal alloys, casting, forging etc are discussed as well as phase diagrams.

The last section discusses the application of various materials for use in several different parts. In the edition I have, they are automobile valve springs, an artificial femoral component, and space shuttle tiles, as well as the strength-weight optimisation of various beams. It goes into each aspect of the design, for example how many stress cycles the valve will undergo in the typical lifetime, and give a specific failure rate. Quite interesting.

There are also sections on thermal properties, electrical properties, atomic lattices, and more... I can't remember, it's been a while since I last looked through it properly. In summary, this book is packed with sufficient information to give you general knowledge of each field covered and get you interested, without going overboard -something that most university textbooks tend to do.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent sophomore text, May 31, 2000

By	Gregory P. Casavant (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction (5th Edition) (Hardcover)

I purchased this book for a course in materials science. The course was structured as an independent study. I was responsible for studying the materials and I would take quizzes through e-mail. This book was my primary source of instruction for the course. Where the book could not support me in the quizzes, it was necessary to seek information elsewhere. My judgement of this book, therefore, is based on its thoroughness, mathematical rigorousness and its ability to explain concepts. Most of the topics covered in the course were well presented by the book. In particular, chapter 3, on the Structure of Crystalline Solids, was very well done. In general the writing style is good. The use of many figures and diagrams enhanced the explanations of physical phenomenon. I highly recommend it for an intuitive viewpoint into material science. Where the book falls down is in the realm of calculation. There are too few formula given. Where they are given, there are too few examples on their use. Chapter 6 on the Mechanical Properties of Metals, and chapter 9 on Phase Diagrams, are sections that failed in this regard. However, the books lack of over-reliance on formula and mathematics is a great enhancement for those just beginning an exploration of the science or a career in engineering. Too many numbers on a page would be a discouragement to those wishing to enjoy the material. Therefore, I would recommend this book as a sophomore level introduction to Material Science, for which, in fact, it has been written.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay, not great, March 18, 2003

By	Elim Garak (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction (Hardcover)

Materials by Callister is a detailed, yet verbose book. I used it as a textbook for a 1st year Materials course at university, and while the book contains a lot of detail, most of it is contained within great slabs of written language, often without the aid of diagrams.

This may be fine for senior undergraduate or postgraduate students, but for beginner students it simply isn't the way to teach a subject. My suggestions for future editions would be to tone down the language to a more basic level, and to include more diagrams to aid the student in conceptualisation.