Book excerpt: The scientific understanding of high-velocity deformation has advanced substantially during the past decade. On the one hand, the framework for a theory explaining the metallurgical effects of shock waves is beginning to take shape; on the other hand, the technological applications of high strain-rate processes have found their way into industries in countries around the world. Ex plosive cladding, welding, forming, compaction and consolidation, cutting, and hardening, in addition to high energy-rate deformation processes using other energy sources, are some of the topics of contemporary technological importance. Metallurgical effects are of the utmost importance in both the scientific understanding of the phenomena involved, and in the successful development and utilization of the associated applications. The international conference upon which this book is based had as its major objectives the acceleration of progress in the field of high-strain rate deformation and fabrication, including applications, by providing a forum for the exchange of state-of-the art information on the metallurgical effects of high strain-rate deformation and fabrication; and the organization of this informa tion into a timely and coherent body of knowledge focused around significant areas and applications. This volume is a manifestation of these objectives. In addition, the contents of this book were organized to provide for a somewhat logical perspective of the fundamentals, development, and state-of-the-art applications of high strain-rate and shock phenomena.