Key features easy to read format successfully communicates the essence of the content presented. Recent references have been incorporated to complement the remaining original references which provide historic context. New figures were added to enhance understanding of the text sections on nano-structures have been included to demonstrate the applicability of the physical metallurgy principles to current nanotechnology trends about the book: physical metallurgy principles: 4th edition this comprehensive, student friendly text is intended for use in an introductory course in physical metallurgy and is designed for all engineering students at the junior or senior level. The approach is largely theoretical but all aspects of physical metallurgy and behavior of metals and alloys are covered. The treatment used in this textbook is in harmony with a more fundamental approach to engineering education. An extensive revision has been done to insure that the content remains the standard for metallurgy engineering courses worldwide. Content chapter 1: the structure of metals chapter 2: characterization techniques chapter 3: crystal binding chapter 4: introduction to dislocations chapter 5: dislocations and plastic deformation chapter 6: elements of grain boundaries chapter 7: vacancies chapter 8: annealing chapter 9: solid solutions chapter 10: phases chapter 11: binary phase diagrams chapter 12: diffusion in substitutional solid solutions chapter 13: interstitial diffusion chapter 14: solidification of metals chapter 15: nucleation and growth kinetics chapter 16: precipitation hardening chapter 17: deformation twinning and martensite reactions chapter 18: the iron-carbon alloy system chapter 19: the hardening of steel chapter 20: selected nonferrous alloy systems chapter 21: failure of metals about the author: reza abbaschian, robert e reed-hill reza abbaschian received his ph.