Metallurgy

Metallurgy is a domain of materials science and engineering that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. Metallurgy encompasses both the science and the technology of metals; that is, the way in which science is applied to the production of metals, and the engineering of metal components used in products for both consumers and manufacturers.

History[edit | edit source]

Metallurgy dates back to 6000 BC, as evidenced by gold ornaments that date back to this period. The extraction of copper from its ores and the smelting of copper and tin into bronze was developed around 3500 BC. The discovery of iron smelting and blacksmithing is dated to around 2000 BC.

Types of Metallurgy[edit | edit source]

There are three main types of metallurgy: extractive metallurgy, physical metallurgy, and mineral processing.

Extractive Metallurgy[edit | edit source]

Extractive metallurgy involves the extraction of metal from its ore. This process involves several steps, including mining, concentration, roasting, and smelting to extract the metal.

Physical Metallurgy[edit | edit source]

Physical metallurgy involves the study of the physical properties of metals, such as strength, hardness, and ductility. This field also involves the study of how these properties can be changed through processes such as heat treatment.

Mineral Processing[edit | edit source]

Mineral processing involves the separation of valuable minerals from their ores. This can be done through several methods, including gravity separation, magnetic separation, and flotation.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Metallurgy Resources
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