The third edition maintains the unique approach of the previous editions. It is unique because corrosion data are presented in terms of 'corrosives' or environments rather than in terms of materials.

About the Author
Mars G.Fontana is regents' Proffesor and Chairmen Emeritus, Department of Metallurgical Engineering. The Ohio state University. He was the first Executive Director of the Materials Technology Insitute of the Chemical Process Industries.

He is graduate of the University of Michigan from which he received a bachelor's degree in chemical Engineering, M.S. and Ph.D(1935) in metallurgical engineering,and an honorary Doctor of engineering in 1975.
As a metallurgical engineer and supervisor(1934-1945) for the DuPont Company he pioneered industrial uses of nylon,teflon, and plastics. He joined the faculty of Ohio State in 1945 as a full Professor and served as a chairmen of the department of Metallurgical Engineering for 27 years. He established one of the first courses in the United States on corrosion in 1946.

He was elected to the National Academy of engineering in 1967. He is an Honorary Member of the American Society for Matals, Cambell Cambell Lecturer in 1970, ASM Gold Medal, and Fellow, ASM, A.I.Ch.E., and A.I.M.E
He was a President of the national Association of corrosion Engineers in 1952 and received their Speller Award in Corrosion Engineering in 1956.