This book provides a general holistic view of materials degradation without undue emphasis on aqueous corrosion with the neglect of other important topics such as liquid metal corrosion. Discussion of materials degradation is balanced by detailed description and evaluation of surface engineering as a means of managing materials degradation. Thus, the trainee engineer is presented with a comprehensive view of the problem rather than just a part of the problem. The control or management of materials degradation is not only discussed in scientific terms, but the economics or financial aspects of materials degradation and surface engineering is also discussed in detail with the help of analytical models.