This is the third book in the new series "Material Research and Engineering," devoted to the science and technology of materials. "MRE" evolves from a previous series on "Reine und Angewandte Metallkunde," which was edited by Werner Koster until his eightieth birthday in 1976. For the new series, the presentation as well as the scope had to be modified. In particular, the scientific and technological links between volumes on metallic, non-metallic, and composite materials should reflect the successful development of materials science and engineering within the last two decades. Thus, the...