The principal reasons which induced the authors to write this book and the features of the book are set forth in the preface to the Russian edition. That section of the science of metals which in Russian is called "metallovedenie" or the "physical chemistry of metals" is generally referred to in scientific and technical literature published in the English language by the term "physical metallurgy." These concepts are much broader than the term" metallography," used in the scientific and technical literature of various countries, and applied solely to research on the interrelationships of the structure and proper ties of metals and alloys. Each science must have its own subject and its own method of research. Certainly, all specialists will agree that metals and alloys, including their solid solutions, mechanical mix tures, and metallic compounds, form the subject of "physical metallurgy" or "physical chemis try of metals." The aim of this science. is to produce a theory and to elucidate the experimental relationships which ought finally to make it possible to calculate quantitatively alloys Of given properties for any working conditions and parameters.

Inhalt
I. Natural Resources and Methods of Producing Refractory Metals.- Natural Resources and Principal Minerals.- Production Methods.- Literature Cited.- II. Interatomic Bond, Crystal Structure, and Principal Physical Properties of Refractory Metals.- Interatomic Bond in Transition Metals.- Crystal Structure.- Physical Properties.- Compatibility of Refractory Metals and Alloys with arious Materials.- Mechanical Properties.- Recrystallization of Refractory Metals.- Effect of Irradiation on the Properties of efractory Metals.- Literature Cited.- III. Physicochemical Interaction of Refractory Metals with Elements of the Periodic System.- Present State of the Theory of Metal Alloys.- Characteristics of the Methods of Investigating Refractory etal Alloys.- Interaction of Refractory Metals of Groups IV-VIII (in the Limits of Each Group).- Interaction between Metals of Groups Va and VIa and Their Interaction with Metals of Other Groups.- Interaction of Rhenium with Other Refractory Metals.- Some Ternary and Multicomponent Systems of Refractory Metals.- Interaction of Refractory Metals with Interstitial Impurities.- Literature Cited.- IV. The Problem of Cold Brittleness of Refractory Metals and Alloys.- Cold Brittleness of Metals and the Interatomic Bond.- Methods of Determining the Ductile Brittle Transition Temperature.- Factors Affecting the Ductile Brittle Transition Temperature.- Methods of Combating Cold Brittleness in Refractory Metals.- Literature Cited.- V. Single Crystals of Refractory Metals and Alloys.- Methods of Growing Metal Single Crystals.- Specific Features of the Zone-Refining Process.- Production of Molybdenum and Tungsten Single Crystals.- Estimation of Purity and Degree of Perfection of Metal Single Crystals.- Substructure of Refractory Metal SingleCrystals.- Growing of Refractory Metal Single Crystals of Given Crystallographic Orientation.- Influence of Plastic Deformation on the Structure of Tungsten and Molybdenum Single Crystals.- Deformation of Rhenium Single Crystals.- Influence of Impurities on the Substructure of Deformed Refractory Metal Single Crystals.- Mechanical and Other Properties of Metal Single Crystals.- Anisotropy of the Properties of Single Crystals of Metals Having a Body-Centered Cubic Lattice.- Production and Properties of Refractory Metal Alloy Single Crystals.- Production of Semifinished Products of Tungsten and Molybdenum Single Crystals and Their Properties.- Literature Cited.- VI. Alloys of Refractory Metals.- Chromium-Based Alloys.- Molybdenum-Based Alloys.- Tungsten-Based Alloys.- Rhenium Alloys.- Vanadium-Based Alloys.- Niobium-Based Alloys.- Tantalum-Based Alloys.- Alloys Based on Titanium, Zirconium, and Hafnium.- Alloys Based on the Noble Metals.- Metallic Compounds.- Metals of SAP Type (Metal- Metal Oxide).- Protection of Refractory Metals and Alloys from Oxidation.- Literature Cited.- VII. Melting and Treatment of Refractory Metals and Alloys.- Melting and Casting of Refractory Metals and Alloys.- Pressure Working of Refractory Metals and Alloys.- Heat Treatment of Refractory Metals and Alloys.- Welding and Soldering of Refractory Metals.- Literature Cited.- Conclusion.