MATSE 425 – Processing of Metals

Databases for finding information on crystals and crystal chemistry:

SciFinder Scholar – This is the premier database for chemistry.

Materials Science – This is a group of materials science databases with individual databases for metals, engineered materials (i.e., ceramics, glass, plastics), and specific materials (e.g., aluminum).

CAT – Penn State’s catalog of books and journals. Search for books on crystal chemistry by searching by specific keywords or the subject of crystallography.

The following databases may also be useful:

GeoRef – This is the premier database for geology.

COMPENDEX – This database covers engineering topics.

NTIS – Database of technical reports.

Patents – A website guide to finding patent information.

For specific property data try:

- NIST Chemistry Web book - This site contains chemical & physical property data for thousands of compounds.

- Matweb - This site provides information on engineering materials properties. It is searchable by property or by material category.

- Phase diagrams are generally published in the journal literature but we have purchased several compilations. On the EMS Library’s reference shelves you can find specialty volumes focusing on particular systems (e.g., ternary iron) or use the Handbook of Ternary Alloy Phase Diagrams (TN690.V493). If you don’t find the system you need, search the subject databases listed previously.

- Pearson’s Handbook of Crystallographic Data for Intermetallic Phases – A 4-volume set on the reference shelves at the EMS and Physical Sciences Libraries at TN690.V52 1991.

- Powder diffraction data can be found in the Powder Diffraction File, a set of books on the reference shelves at the EMS Library (QC481.A41)

Some other useful information sources include:

- Commodity Statistics and Information - This is a service of the U.S. Geological Survey. It provides information about various mineral commodities including a variety of crystalline minerals.

- Teaching Pamphlets from the Commission on Crystallographic Teaching – So far there are three pamphlets written – an overview of crystals, crystal packing, and mapping and crystal symmetry. The IUCr website also has links to other web-based resources for learning and teaching about crystallography.

- Crystal Structures by Ralph Wyckoff. This classic 6-volume set is available on the reference shelves in both the EMS and Physical Sciences Libraries (QD951.W82).

- Rock-Forming Minerals by W.A. Deer. This 5-volume set contains structural data for mineral groups. It is on the reference shelves at the EMS Library (QE389.62.D42 1978).

Guide prepared by Linda Musser, Lrm4@psu.edu

8 October 2003