Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Metallurgy Engineering


What is Metal Engineering about?

Metallurgy Engineering is the study of metal-related areas. There are three branches of metallurgy engineering: physical metallurgy, extractive metallurgy, and mineral processing. Physical metallurgy deals with problem solving and develops the sorts of metallic alloys needed for various kinds of manufacturing and construction. Extractive metallurgy involves extracting metal from ore.  Mineral processing involves gathering mineral products from the earth’s crust.

Metallurgy is a domain of material science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements and their mixtures, which are called alloys. It is also the technology of metals: the way in which science is applied to their practical use. Also, metallurgy is distinguished the craft of metalworking.


Etymology of Metallurgy

In 1953, the word was originally treated as an alchemist’s term for the extraction of metals from minerals: the ending two syllables, which is “urgy” meaning a process, especially manufacturing. Then, in the late 19th century, it was extended to the more general scientific study of metals and alloys and other related processes.   


Metallurgy Engineering as a University Program

As a Metallurgical Engineering major, you’ll learn the fundamentals of all three fields (physical metallurgy, extractive metallurgy, and mineral processing). Moreover, you’ll learn the basics of engineering in general such as the usability of metals to make our society function – metals make up important parts of cars, planes, buildings, even toothpaste tubes. Definitely, your knowledge of the production, design, and manufacturing of these metals and mineral products can be gratifying and exciting.

Most metallurgical Engineering programs will give you the good opportunity to participate in a cooperative education program. Students spend a semester or more doing engineering work with a metallurgical company. Many of these co-op jobs can become actual jobs after graduation, and the experience you’ll acquire will definitely make you more valuable prospective employee.


So, what does a metallurgical engineering professional do?




Metallurgists may specialize in either extractive or physical metallurgy. Primary metallurgists are most often employed by the minerals industry and they may perform the following tasks.
·         Advise operators on changes necessary to improve the process;
·         Improve process methods;
·         Develop and control methods of storing and treating waste material, and
·         Prepare technical reports.
·         Study and apply physical methods for separating minerals from their ores using magnetic, electric, gravity or chemical methods;
·         Apply methods for extracting commercial quantities of minerals from their ores;
·         Supervise sampling from various stages of processing;

Process Engineers transform low value, impure raw materials into commercially valuable products. The main sources of these raw materials are low grade minerals, by-products of other processing operations and recycled materials. Minerals process engineers are employed in all stages of raw materials processing and, in the minerals industry, may perform the following tasks:
·         Process design and development;
·         Process control and management;
·         Pure and applied research;
·         Study and apply chemical and process metallurgy techniques;
·         Coordinate recovery of samples for laboratory analysis and testing;
·         Choose and operate a combination of treatments to produce the deired quality of products at optimum efficiency; and
·         Prepare cost budgets of operations to evaluate economic feasibility of processes.

Metallurgy/Processing typically suits someone who likes chemistry, math and physics and is interested in engineering and science, has an aptitude for computing and design and has good problem solving skills. Metallurgists and Process Engineers need to be able to work as part of a team as well as independently. Good oral and written communication skills are also valued.


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