Iron and Steel

This book is intended both as a resource for engineers and as an introduction to the layman about our most important metal system. After an introduction that deals with the history and refining of iron and steel, the rest of the book examines their physical properties and metallurgy. To elaborate on the importance of iron and steel, we can refer to the fact that modern civilization as we know it would not be possible without it. Steel is essential in the machinery necessary for manufacturing that meets our needs. Even the words themselves have come to suggest strength. Phrases such as 'iron willed', 'iron fisted', 'iron clad', 'iron curtain' and 'pumping iron' imply strength. A 'steely glance' is a stern look. 'A heart of steel' refers to a very hard demeanor. The Russian dictator, Stalin (which means steel in Russian), chose the name to invoke fear in those under him.

1. General introduction; 2. Early history of iron and steel; 3. Modern steel making; 4. Constitution of carbon steels; 5. Plastic strength; 6. Annealing; 7. Deformation mechanisms and crystallographic textures; 8. Substitutional solid solutions; 9. Interstitial solid solutions; 10. Diffusion; 11. Strain aging; 12. Austenite transformation; 13. Hardenability; 14. Tempering and surface hardening; 15. Low-carbon steel; 16. Sheet steel formability; 17. Alloy steels; 18. Other steels; 19. Stainless steels; 20. Fracture; 21. Cast irons; 22. Magnetic behavior of iron and steel; Appendix 1. Physical properties of pure iron; Appendix 2. Approximate hardness conversions and tensile strengths of steels.

Iron and steel remain the most commonly used materials in manufacturing. This book is a complete treatment of iron and steel including some history, methods involved in their production, descriptions of various steels and cast irons and their properties and how they are heat treated.

William Hosford is Professor Emeritus of Materials Science at the University of Michigan. He is the author of numerous research publications, and the following books: The Mechanics of Crystals and Textured Polycrystals (1993), Physical Metallurgy (Materials Engineering) (2005), Materials Science: An Intermediate Text (2007), Materials for Engineers (2008), Mechanical Behavior of Materials, 2nd edition (2009), Solid Mechanics (2010), Physical Metallurgy, 2nd edition (2010), Metal Forming: Mechanics and Metallurgy, 4th edition with Robert M. Caddell (2011).