Ebook: Iron and steel

"Modern civilization as we know it would not be possible without iron and steel. Steel is essential in the machinery neccessary for the manufacture of all 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 bad demeanor. The Russian dictator, Stalin (which means steel in Russian), chose the name to invoke fear in those under him. 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 introductions that deals with the history and refining of iron and steel, the rest of the book examines their physical properties and metallurgy"-- Read more... General introduction -- Early history of iron and steel -- Modern steel making -- Constitution of carbon steels -- Plastic strength -- Annealing -- Deformation mechanisms and crystallographic textures -- Substitutional solid solutions -- Interstitial solid solutions -- Diffusion -- Strain aging -- Austenite transformation -- Hardenability -- Tempering and surface hardening -- Low-carbon sheet steel -- Sheet steel formability -- Alloy steels -- Other steels -- Stainless steels -- Fracture -- Cast irons -- Magnetic behavior of iron -- Corrosion -- Appendixes: I. Physical properties of pure iron -- II. Approximate hardness conversions and tensile strengths of steels