The Hardness of Metals

This book is an attempt to explain hardness measurements of metals in terms of some of their more basic physical properties. The intention is to provide, for physicists, engineers, and metallurgists, a better understanding of what hardness means and what hardness measurements imply. The author emphasises the physical concepts involved, so that non-mathematical readers can grasp and appreciate the general physical picture without needing to follow the more detailed mathematical treatment.