Treatise on Materials Science and Technology, Volume 4 covers the fundamental properties and characterization of materials, ranging from simple solids to complex heterophase systems. The book covers articles on advanced techniques by which thin films may be characterized; on diffusion in substitutional alloys; and on solid solution strengthening in face-centered cubic alloys. The text also includes articles on the thermodynamics of binary ordered intermetallic phases; and the major aspects of metal powder processing. Professional scientists and engineers, as well as graduate students in materials science and associated fields will find the book invaluable.