The Science and Practice of Welding was divided into two volumes for the eighth edition: Volume 1, Welding Science and Technology; Volume 2, The Practice of Welding. Volume 1 covers all the basic material on the physics and chemistry of welding, including metallurgy, equilibrium diagrams, testing of welds, drawing and welding symbols and an appendix with tables and conversions. Volume 2 gives a comprehensive survey of the welding methods in use today and the tools involved.

This tenth edition has been brought completely up to date throughout. Volume 1 has a new chapter on the inverter, which has become popular as a power unit because of its reduced weight and size compared with a conventional unit. There is also an up-to-date section on the classification of stainless steels. Volume 2 has a new chapter on welding plastics and new sections on welding duplex stainless steel and air plasma cutting. There are two new appendices (one illustrating the latest plant and equipment, and one on refraction). The appendix on proprietary welding gases has been completely revised.

My thanks are due to each of the following firms who have rendered every technical assistance and have supplied information and photographs as indicated.

1. Air Products Ltd: NDT of welding fabrications and all radiographs.

2. Alcan Wire Ltd: classification and welding of aluminium and its alloys.

3. Alpha Electronics Ltd: instrument technology.

4. Aluminium Federation: classification and properties of aluminium and its alloys.

5. Amersham International: X-ray and gamma-ray testing of welds, and gamma-ray sources.