Book excerpt: This reference book makes it easy for anyone involved in materials selection, or in the design and manufacture of metallic structural components to quickly screen materials for a particular application. Information on practically all ferrous and nonferrous metals including powder metals is presented in tabular form for easy review and comparison between different materials. Included are chemical compositions, physical and mechanical properties, manufacturing processes, applications, pertinent specifications and standards, and test methods. Contents Overview: Glossary of metallurgical terms Selection of structural materials (specifications and standards, life cycle and failure modes, materials properties and design, and properties and applications) Physical data on the elements and alloys Testing and inspection Chemical composition and processing characteristics