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Materials Science

Table of Contents
 Materials Science is an interdisciplinary field which brings together research in a variety of subject areas at the University of Chicago. If you are looking for additional library research resources, please look at the pages for physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine.

Researchers at the University participating in materials science studies are members of various units on campus, including the Biological Sciences Division, the Physical Sciences Division, the Research Institutes, the Enrico Fermi Institute, the James Franck Institute, and the NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center.

Databases / Abstracts / Indexes

Chemical Abstracts. 1907- . Columbus, Ohio: American Chemical Society.
SciFinder Scholar (Chemical Abstracts 1967 to present online)
QD1.A48 (1907-1995) Crerar Library Reference Collection
QD1.A48 (1907-current) Chemistry Library Reference Collection
Citations to the literature of chemistry and its applications. Includes broad coverage of related fields including materials and polymers. SciFinder Scholar online provides access to CAS Registry File (the largest substance database with over 17 million substances, including 12 million organic substances), and the CAplus File that includes patents.
Engineering Index. 1884- . New York: Engineering Information Inc.
Compendex (Engineering Index from 1990 to present online)
T1.E46 Crerar Library Reference Collection
A general engineering index that covers subjects of interest such as metals, chemical engineering, materials engineering, etc. UofC holdings begin in 1884 and stop in 1997.
Science Citation Index. Philadelphia: Institute for Scientific Information.
Web of Science/Science Citation Index (Science Citation Index from 1982 to present online)
AI3.S41 (1945-1997) Crerar Library Reference Collection
Provides access to a broad coverage of science and technology journal article. Useful for finding articles citing other known articles in bibliographies and interdisciplinary research.
Current Contents. Philadelphia: Institute for Scientific Information.
Current Contents Connect (Current Contents online)
Lists tables of contents for over 6500 journals, in all areas of the sciences including materials science. Includes bibliographic data for each article, and includes abstracts for about 85% of the articles. Search by journal title, article title, authors, keywords, and corporate source. Personal profiles may be set up which are executed as desired to discover when new articles of interest are published in specific journals in the requested subject area. Searching and profile setup help is available.
Dissertation Abstracts. Ann Arbor, MI: UMI/Bell & Howell.
ProQuest Digital Dissertations (Dissertation Abstracts from 1861 to present online)
Covers the complete range of academic subjects appearing in dissertations accepted at accredited institutions since 1861.
Ceramic Abstracts. 1918- . Columbus, Ohio: American Ceramic Society.
TP785.A52 Crerar Library Stacks
Covers scientific, commercial, and engineering literature that pertains to ceramics and related materials. International in coverage. UofC holdings stop in 1997. Current online literature searches for this database can be requested from the Crerar Library Computer Search Service.
Metals Abstracts. 1968- . Metals Park, Ohio: American Society for Metals.
TN1.M5153 & TN1.M5154 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Published jointly by the American Society for Metals (US) and the Institute of Metals (UK), this abstract is the result of the Merger of Metallurgical Abstracts (1934-1967, TN1.I582, Crerar Library Reference Collection) and the ASM Review of Metal Literature (1944-1967, TN1.A58, Crerar Library Reference Collection.) Covers all aspects of the science and practice of metallurgy and related fields. International coverage. Classed arrangement with an author index and subject index. UofC holdings stop in 1995. Current online literature searches for this database can be requested from the Crerar Library Computer Search Service.
RAPRA Abstracts. 1968- . Rubber and Plastics Research Association of Great Britain. Oxford: Pergamon Press.
TS1870.R68 Crerar Library Reference Collection
International coverage of polymer journal articles. Designed for rubber and plastics producers, processors and users. UofC holdings stop in 1990. Current online literature searches for this database can be requested from the Crerar Library Computer Search Service.
U of C Library Catalog. Chicago: University of Chicago Library.
Library Catalog (online card catalog)
Covers the holdings of books, journals, electronic journals, and other formats in all of the libraries at the University of Chicago.

Electronic Journals

Electronic Journals. Crerar Library Reference Department, University of Chicago Library.
The John Crerar Library subscribes to over 3000 journals online. Topics covered are all areas of science, including physics, chemistry, materials science, medicine, biology, engineering, and geophysics. Check the UofC Library Catalog for a complete listing of all titles owned, both print and electronic.
U of C Library Catalog. Chicago: University of Chicago Library.
Library Catalog (online card catalog)
Covers the holdings of books, journals (print and online), and other formats in all of the libraries at the University of Chicago.

Handbooks / Web Sites / Properties Data

ASM Metals Reference Book. 3rd ed. Metals Park, Ohio: American Society for Metals, 1993.
TA459.A780 Crerar Library Reference Collection
One volume source compiles metals data, presented mostly with tables and diagrams with only minimal text. Quick reference to basic information included in other metals handbooks. Contains glossary of metallurgical and metalworking terms.
Biomaterials Properties Database. Provided by the University of Michigan-NIDR Materials Science Research Center at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.
This database includes properties and materials data from original sources and tables for a range of factors, primarily for dental and medical biomaterials.
Composite Materials Handbook. 2nd ed. Edited by Mel M. Schwartz. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1992.
TA418.9.C6S380 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Describes composite materials and their methods of manufacture and use. Devoted primarily to fiber- and metal-reinforced matrix composites. Indexes with glossary of common industry terms.
CRC Handbook of Materials Science. Ed. By Charles T. Lynch. Cleveland, Ohio: Chemical Rubber Company, 1974-1980.
TA403.4.L95 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Contents: v.1, General properties; v.2, Metals, composites and refractory materials; v. 3, Nonmetallic materials and applications; v.4, Wood. Aimed at non-experts and experts in other fields interested in materials information out side their usual area. Volume 4 is one of the few sources with materials data for wood.
Engineered Materials Handbook. Metals Park, Ohio: American Society for Metals, 1987. 4 volumes.
TA403.E4970 1987 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Four volume work designed for use by engineers and other technicians engaged in selecting, designing, evaluating, and applying advanced composite materials in a wide range of uses. Contents include: V. 1, Composites; V. 2, Engineered Plastics; V. 3, Adhesives and Sealants; V. 4, Ceramics & Glasses.
Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data (JPCRD). American Institute of Physics and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Physical and chemical data collected and published as part of the journal. Fully searchable index. Covers all aspects of data types. Available online through American Institute of Physics.
Material Safety Data Sheets on the Internet. Provided by Interactive Learning Paradigms, Incorporated.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) contain information on chemicals and chemical compounds including chemical formula, CAS Registry Number, synonyms, physical properties, solubility, reactivity, corrosivity, flammability, and toxicology. This site provides links to a large number of MSDS archives available from educational, governmental, and commercial institutions.
Materials Handbook. 14th ed. By George B. Brady and Henry R. Clauser. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997.
TA403.M3 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Encyclopedia description of minerals, chemicals, engineering and industrial materials, and plant and animal substances. Provides properties data and information on a wide range of materials, some not covered by other standard sources.
Materials Properties Locator Database. Developed by the Science and Engineering Library, SUNY-University at Buffalo.
This database helps to identify handbooks and other reference sources in the UB Science & Engineering Library collection which contain specific material properties data. The online database can be searched by keyword or combinations of keywords and phrases. The records in the database describe the scope and organization of each reference work and the materials and properties covered. To check if any UofC Library owns a particular handbook included in this database, search for it by title in the UofC Library Catalog.
MatWeb: The On-line Materials Information Resource.
MatWeb provides free materials property data for over 19,013 generic and commercial engineering materials, including polymers, alloys, steels, ceramics, superconductors, and other metals. Users can search by common name, trade name, name fragment, composition, application, or property requirements.
Metals Handbook. 10th ed. Metals Park, Ohio: American Society for Metals, 1990. 20 volumes.
TA459.M430 1990 Crerar Library Reference Collection
This multi-volume work is considered the definitive source for the metals and metalworking industry. Articles contain bibliographic references, extensive tabular data, and illustrations. Each volume is individually indexed in addition to a comprehensive index. Subject coverage includes: irons and steels; alloys and pure metals; stainless steels; tool materials, and special-purpose metals; heat treating; surface cleaning, finishing, and coating; welding, brazing, and soldering; powder metallurgy; mechanical testing; metallography and microstructures; materials characterization; failure analysis and prevention; fractography.
NIST Chemistry WebBook. Provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Washington, D.C..
Provides thermochemical, thermophysical, and ion energetics data compiled by NIST under the Standard Reference Data Program.
Physical Properties of Polymers Handbook. Edited by James E. Mark. Woodbury, N.Y. : AIP Press, c1996.
TA455.P58P4750 1996 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Part of the AIP Series in Polymers and Complex Materials. Includes data for densities, coefficients of thermal properties among many others. Also has a glossary and units and conversion factors section.
Polymer Handbook. 4th ed. Edited by J. Brandup, E.H. Immergut, E.A. Grulke. New York: Wiley, 1999.
TP156.P6B82 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Physical and chemical data on polymers. Consists of chapter-length data tabulations and extensive bibliographies. Subject index. Intended for expert users.
Smithells Metals Reference Book. 7th ed. Edited by Eric A. Brandes. London; Boston: Butterworths, 1992.
TN671.S663 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Summarizes a comprehensive range of metallurgical data, providing mostly tables and diagrams. Serves as the basic reference source for professionals, libraries, and research labs in engineering and metallurgy.
Thermodex: An Index of Selected Thermodynamic Data Handbooks. Developed by the General Libraries at the University of Texas at Austin.
This database contains records for over 120 printed handbooks and compilations of thermodynamic and thermophysical data for chemical compounds and other substances. It enables you to enter both a type of compound and a property, and will return a list of handbooks that might contain this data. To check if any UofC Library owns a particular handbook included in this database, search for it by title in the UofC Library Catalog.
Thermophysical Properties of Matter. Edited by Y.S. Touloukian. New York: IFI/Plenum, 1970-1979. 14 volumes.
QC171.P96 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Contents include: V. 1. Thermal conductivity - metallic elements and alloys.--V. 2. Thermal conductivity - nonmetallic solids.--V. 3. Thermal conductivity - monmetallic liquids and gases.--V. 4. Specific heat - metallic elements and alloys.--V. 5. Specific heat – nonmetallic solids.--V. 6. Specific heat - nonmetallic liquids and gases (and supplement).--V. 7. Thermal radiative properties - metallic elements and alloys.--V. 8. Thermal radiative properties - nonmetallic solids. V. 9. Thermal radiative properties - coatings.-- V. 10. Thermal diffusivity.-- V. 11. Viscosity.--V. 12. Thermal expansion - metallic elements and alloys.--V. 13. Thermal expansion - nonmetallic solids.—V. 14 Master index to materials and properties.

Newsgroups / Discussion Lists

LISTSERVs/discussion lists:

INTERF-L E-mail: listserv@taunivm.tau.ac.il with "subscribe INTERF-L firstname lastname" in the body of the message.
Discusses research within the broad area of physics and chemistry of Interfacial Phenomena. In particular: (1) Liquids at Interfaces, Wetting and Adhesion Phenomena, Capillarity. (2) Complex and Macromolecular Fluids: Structure, Phase Transitions and Inte rfaces. (3) Thermodynamics and Hydrodynamics of Polymer Melts and Solutions, Microemulsions, Colloids, Emulsions and Foams, Suspensions, Surfactants in Solutions, Membranes, Amphiphilic Monolayers and Bilayers, Gels, Liquid Crystals and Porous Media.
PAD E-mail: listserv@listserv.syr.edu with "subscribe PAD firstname lastname" in the\ body of the message.
Focuses on topics related to polymer analysis and characterization.
POLYMERP E-mail: listserv@nic.surfnet.nl with "subscribe POLYMERP firstname lastname" in the body of the message.
PolymerP is a discussion group on polymer physics. Topics include meetings, articles, software, theories, materials, methods, tools, and polymer properties such as solubility, diffusion, viscosity and adsorption.
PROCESS-L E-mail: maiser@fs4.in.umist.ac.uk with "subscribe PROCESS-L firstname lastname" in the body of the message.
Discussion of information regarding all aspects of process control and technology with special reference to industrial scale processing.

USENET newsgroups:
Usenet information center site allows you to browse or search Usenet interest groups. Some of the pertinent groups are listed below:

  • sci.chem
  • sci.chem.coatings
  • sci.engr.chem
  • sci.engr.metallurgy
  • sci.engr.semiconductors
  • sci.materials
  • sci.materials.ceramics
  • sci.nanotech
  • sci.optics
  • sci.physics
  • sci.polymers
  • sci.techniques.microscopy
  • sci.techniques.spectroscopy
  • sci.techniques.xtallography

Phase Diagrams

Binary Alloy Phase Diagrams. 2nd edition. Edited by Thaddeus B. Massalski. Materials Park, Ohio : ASM International, 1990. 3 volumes.
TN690.B5280 1990 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Provides thorough tables and diagrams for various binary alloy phases.
Phase Diagrams for Ceramists. Edited by Margie K. Reser. Columbus, Ohio: American Ceramic Society, 1964. 8 volumes.
QD501.L671 Crerar Library Stacks
Compiled by National Institute of Standards & Technology. Includes bibliographies and indexes. Later supplements also published.
Ternary Alloy Phase Diagrams. Edited by P. Villars, A. Prince, and H. Okamoto. Materials Park, OH: ASM International, 1995. 10 volumes.
TN690.V493 1995 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Provides thorough tables and diagrams for various ternary alloy phases.

Standards

Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Latest edition. Philadelphia, Pa.: ASTM.
TA401.A541 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Full standards for ASTM. Published in 15 volumes. Index is volume 1.
Industry Standards: Numeric & Subject Indexes, Information Handling Services.
No Call Number -- Kept at the Crerar Library Reference Desk
Index to more recent standards, although discontinued in 1995. Text of standards are on microfiche.
Standards Web Page. Crerar Library Reference Department, University of Chicago Library.
Lists associations, organizations and societies from whom Crerar collected standards in the past. Each entry includes a Call Number if known, as well as a Web link if one could be found.

Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia of Materials Science and Engineering. Michael B. Bever, editor. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1986. 8 volumes.
TA402.E530 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Comprehensive reference source covering all aspects of materials science and engineering. Alphabetically arranged articles deal concisely with individual topics and overview articles that guide readers from general subjects to specific topics. Multi-level subject index, author citation index, and systematic outline of the encyclopedia. An introduction in the first volume gives a thorough explanation of the field of materials science and engineering.
Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering. 2nd ed. Jacqueline Kroschwitz, editor. New York: Wiley, 1985.
TP1087.E460 Crerar Library Reference Collection (also available online)
Articles by specialist authors. Extensive bibliographic references. Covers all aspects of polymer science including physics, chemistry, biology and engineering.
Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 4th ed. New York: Wiley-Interscience, 1992.
TP9.E6850 Crerar Library Reference Collection (also available online)
Very complete basic encyclopedia of chemistry and chemical technology. Articles have illustrations and extensive bibliographies. Includes very thorough index volume.
Polymeric Materials Encyclopedia. Edited by Joseph C. Salamone. [computer file]. Boca Raton : CRC Press, 1996.
CDRom TP1110.P659 1996 Crerar Library Media Collection
Comprehensive encyclopedia on CD-ROM of the synthesis, properties, and applications of polymeric materials. Includes 1,150 articles, 2,455 tables, 2,008 structures, 4,992 equations and schemes, and thousands of bibliographical references. Also includes search and retrieval software. Equivalent to the printed version that contains 12 volumes.

Dictionaries and Thesauri

Dictionary of Ceramic Science and Engineering. By Loran S O’Bannon. New York: Plenum, 1984.
TP788.O20 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Brief definitions of terms important to the ceramic and related industries. Cross references included. Includes bibliography.
Thesaurus or Metallurgical Terms. 5th ed. Metals Park, Ohio: American Society for Metals, 1984.
Z695.1.M55T47 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Vocabulary listing for use in indexing, storage, and retrieval of technical information in metallurgy.
Whittington’s Dictionary of Plastics. 2nd ed. By Lloyd R. Whittington. Westport, Conn.: Technomic Publishing, 1978.
TP1110.W5 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Sponsored by the Society of Plastics Engineers. Brief definitions, includes abbreviations.

Economic and Business Information

Minerals Information Web Site.
Statistics and information on the worldwide supply, demand, and flow of minerals and materials essential to the U.S. economy, the national security, and protection of the environment.
Metal Statistics: the purchasing guide of the metal industry. New York: American Metal Mart.
HD9506.U51M5 Regenstein Library, Floor A Reading Room
UofC holdings begin in 1915 and are still currently received.
Company and Industry Information Web Pages. Business and Economics Resource Center, Regenstein Library.
Web access for UofC Library users to several databases which provides a variety of company information relevant to materials industries.

Professional Societies/Organizations

Research Centers / Government Information

Literature Guides / Bibliographies

Guide to Materials Engineering Data and Information. Metals Park, Ohio: ASM International, 1986.
TA503.6.G850 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Contains a directory of materials manufacturers; Organizations and engineering data sources; Standards issuing organizations and industrial alloy cross-referencing; Materials reference books and journals; Milestones in the history of physical metallurgy; and a style manual
Guide to Metallurgical Information. 2nd ed. Special Libraries Association. Metals/Materials Division. Edited by Eleanor B. Gibson and Elizabeth M. Tapia. New York: Special Libraries Association, 1965. (SLA Bibliography no. 3).
Z6678.S741 Crerar Library Reference Collection
This source covers all types of published literature, agencies, and other types of metallurgical and materials information. Most entries are annotated and it is international in coverage. Contains about 1100 items with author, organization, general title, serial title and subject indexes.
"Materials Information Sources." By J.H. Westbrook in the Encyclopedia of Materials Science and Engineering, v.8, p. 527-542.
TA402.E530 v. 8 Crerar Library Reference Collection
Published in 1986, this article provides a thorough guide to materials information sources and also provides an analysis of the information needs of various users and producers.

Reviews

Annual Review of Materials Science. Palo Alto, CA: Annual Reviews.
TA401.A62 Crerar Library Stacks (also available online)
UofC holdings start in 1971 and are still currently received.
Progress in Materials Science. New York: Pergamon Press.
TA401.P92 Crerar Library Stacks (also available online)
UofC holdings start in 1949 and stop in 1995.