Some reflections on relationships between structure, properties, and performance of engineering materials

The main object of materials science and technology is relationships between structure and properties. The practical use of engineering materials also involves consideration of things other than current theories for such relationships. Uncertainties of various kinds prompt reflections on the validity and applications of common practice based on experience. Among other things, this is true for decisions relating to reliability and safety. Hence, fundamental issues like determinism vs. probabilistics may become interesting to anyone who wants to deal efficiently with problems related to the use and performance of engineering materials. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.