Book excerpt: Treatise on Materials Science and Technology, Volume 6: Plastic Deformation of Materials covers the fundamental properties and characterization of materials, ranging from simple solids to complex heterophase systems. The book presents articles on the low temperature of deformation of bcc metals and their solid-solution alloys; the cyclic deformation of metals and alloys; and the high-temperature diffusion-controlled creep of some metals and alloys, with particular reference to the various creep mechanisms. The text also includes articles on superplasticity; the fatigue deformation of polymers; the low temperature deformation of crystalline nonmetals; and the recovery and recrystallization during high temperature deformation. Professional scientists and engineers, as well as graduate students in materials science and associated fields will find the book invaluable.