Annotation Complementing Rice's (Marcel Dekker, 1998), this volume stresses the critical link between fabrication and ceramic performance through a comprehensive review of the dependence of mechanical properties on grain and particle parameters (e.g. of size, shape, orientation, and distribution) for both conventional and composite ceramics. A dozen chapters branch into sections on the grain dependence of monolithic properties and the dependence of ceramic, especially particulate, composite properties on grain and particulate parameters. Most chapters include theoretical and conceptual background, pertinent models, experimental results, a data review, discussion, and a summary or recommendations. B & w illustrations feature microstructural details while graphs plot data on material hardness, compressive strength, and other pivotal variables. Rice is an Alexandria, VA.-based consultant who holds numerous patents. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).