Containing almost 250 technical and review papers, these proceedings form an authoritative, state-of-the-art review of this important multidisciplinary topic. Emphasis is placed on the study of the strength of mechanical properties of materials and their dependence on the microstructure and defect arrangements. Areas covered include: dislocations; dislocation arrangements; plastic deformation; strengthening mechanisms; cyclic deformation and fatigue; plastic deformation at high temperatures; fracture; modern strengthening methods in steels; boundaries and interfaces.