In the comparatively short amount of time since the publi cation of the first edition of this handbook in 1969, the authors continued to work on the collection and treatment of data on oxide properties that have appeared in the literature. The numerous responses that we have received during this time have given in disputable evidence of the value of such a reference book to scientists, production engineers, and instructors, and these com ments have also provided grounds for publishing a new edition of this book. In preparing the second edition, the authors reviewed crit ically the material in the first edition of the handbook, updated obsolete information, and added new material to certain chapters. Of major assistance in defining the scope of the revision were the comments of Prof. S. G. Tresvyatskii, Prof. A. I. Avgustinik, Prof. E. K. Keler, Prof. K. K. Strelov, Dr. A. N. Borisenko, Dr. D. S. Rutman, and many others, to whom the authors wish to ex press their deep gratitude. The structure of the second edition of this handbook has not undergone any major changes; however, certain corrections and improvements have been made in the content of certain chapters.
