This is an excellent and interesting book. Although it touches upon engineering structures, it is mostly about the mechanical properties of materials; why are metals ductile and glass fragile, that sort of thing. It is divided into several sections covering background theory such as stress & strain, elasticity, etc. Then it covers non-metallic materials from wood through to composites like fibreglass and carbon-fibre; and then moves on to cover metallic materials. Throughout the writing is informed by the authors real world experience; illuminating anecdotes abound. For example, the Bakelite Company began life as the Dammard Lacquer Company and sold three grades of varnish, 'Dammard', 'Dammarder' & 'Dammardest'!
So, if you have ever wondered how a loose mesh of glass fibres set in epoxy resin can make a material with properties far different from either component alone then this book is for you.
Penguin Books, 287 pages
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