Metallurgy

[edit] Introduction

Metallurgy is the science, technology and sometimes the art of metal extraction, purification, processing and modification. In more general terms it can also refer to an understanding of the chemical, physical, or atomic properties, structures and principles of metal.

The term is likely to have derived from the modern Latin or Greek words metallurgia or metallourgos, which refer to a metal worker, sometimes known today as a metallurgist. As metallurgy includes the extraction of metals from mineral ores it is closely related to the science of geology in understanding rock formations and the location of appropriate ores which more specifically might be referred to as metal mineral exploration or prospecting.

Historically, metallurgy would have started with native metals, typically rare metals that appear in nature in their pure form such as gold, platinum and copper. Later this developed through an understanding of the extraction of metal from ores, probably starting with copper. The smelting of this and then its mixing with arsenic or tin created bronze during the bronze age.

In many respects bronze was then replaced by the discovery of iron (by early Egyptians) and started what is known as the iron age. Iron continued to be important up to and into the industrial revolution. The possibilities of metal use then expanded with the introduction of steel, which is still one of the core materials used in construction.

Today metallurgy might be described under three different headings or branches:

[edit] Extractive metallurgy

Extractive metallurgy is concerned with the processing of naturally occurring raw materials to extract or convert them into useful metals and alloys. The sub areas of this are referred to as :

• Pyrometallurgy
• Hydrometallurgy
• Electrometallurgy

[edit] Physical metallurgy

Physical metallurgy is concerned with the identification, control and adjustment of the properties of metals and their alloys. It involves understanding metallic chemical, physical, or atomic structures, properties, and principles.

[edit] Mechanical metallurgy

Mechanical metallurgy is concerned with the working of metal into objects, through rolling, forging, spinning, extrusion, stamping, machining, welding, casting and so on, as well the response of metals to different forces, their tensile, hardness, fatigue, life-span and other properties.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Aluminium.
• Bronze.
• Copper.
• Electrometallurgy.
• Hydrometallurgy.
• Iron.
• Lead.
• Metal in construction.
• Pyrometallurgy.
• Steel.
• Types of metal.
• Wrought iron.