In 1959 the first part of Selested Methods of Analysis of Foundry Materials, dealing with pig and cast iron, was published. At that time it was envisaged that subsequent parts would cover alloy irons, ferro – alloys, slags, refractories, fuels and residual elements. Since 1959 developments have occurred in the sampling and analysis of pig and cast iron and it has been considered advisable to prepare a new book covering all types of irons and also ferro – alloys and slaf in one volume.