Metallurgy

Metallurgy is a domain of <a href="/facts/Materials_science/N5HrXRYW">materials science and engineering</a> that studies the physical and chemical behavior of <a href="/facts/Metal/PT8hNX6R">metallic</a> <a href="/facts/Chemical_element/0jducgWD">elements</a>, their <a href="/facts/Inter-metallic_alloy/nnzksayl">inter-metallic compounds</a>, and their mixtures, which are known as <a href="/facts/Alloy/I7w7WQWR">alloys</a>.
Metallurgy encompasses both the <a href="/facts/Science/IJoaD7rs">science</a> and the <a href="/facts/Technology/9Uav5WVR">technology</a> of metals, including the production of <a href="/facts/Metal/PT8hNX6R">metals</a> and the engineering of metal components used in products for both consumers and manufacturers. Metallurgy is distinct from the <a href="/facts/Craft/eoP1sKrY">craft</a> of <a href="/facts/Metalworking/eAT0Pvz2">metalworking</a>. Metalworking relies on metallurgy in a similar manner to how <a href="/facts/Medicine/2fnp90Je">medicine</a> relies on medical science for technical advancement. A specialist <a href="/facts/Practitioner%25E2%2580%2593scholar_model/PrKRB55r">practitioner</a> of metallurgy is known as a metallurgist.
The science of metallurgy is further subdivided into two broad categories: <a href="/facts/Chemical_metallurgy/fWU6Q9F4">chemical metallurgy</a> and <a href="/facts/Physical_metallurgy/RDDQF58b">physical metallurgy</a>. Chemical metallurgy is chiefly concerned with the reduction and oxidation of metals, and the chemical performance of metals. Subjects of study in chemical metallurgy include <a href="/facts/Mineral_processing/1uBlYVP2">mineral processing</a>, the <a href="/facts/Extractive_metallurgy/TkszJ19Y">extraction of metals</a>, <a href="/facts/Thermodynamics/q4hIx3yP">thermodynamics</a>, <a href="/facts/Electrochemistry/C0RUWpBH">electrochemistry</a>, and chemical degradation (<a href="/facts/Corrosion/lIC7H4we">corrosion</a>). In contrast, <a href="/facts/Physical_metallurgy/RDDQF58b">physical metallurgy</a> focuses on the mechanical properties of metals, the physical properties of metals, and the physical performance of metals. Topics studied in physical metallurgy include <a href="/facts/Crystallography/9B5toeqG">crystallography</a>, <a href="/facts/Characterization_(materials_science)/FDzNl7B7">material characterization</a>, mechanical metallurgy, <a href="/facts/Phase_transition/eLP2BY8R">phase transformations</a>, and <a href="/facts/Metallurgical_failure_analysis/3NGm1g7l">failure mechanisms</a>.
Historically, metallurgy has predominately focused on the production of metals. Metal production begins with the processing of <a href="/facts/Ore/kgc9DssX">ores</a> to extract the metal, and includes the mixture of metals to make <a href="/facts/Alloy/I7w7WQWR">alloys</a>. Metal alloys are often a blend of at least two different metallic elements. However, non-metallic elements are often added to alloys in order to achieve properties suitable for an application. The study of metal production is subdivided into <a href="/facts/Ferrous_metallurgy/XpwtCB0X">ferrous metallurgy</a> (also known as black metallurgy) and <a href="/facts/Non-ferrous_metallurgy/lY7X8rAY">non-ferrous metallurgy</a>, also known as colored metallurgy.
Ferrous metallurgy involves processes and alloys based on <a href="/facts/Iron/QK1JYy8E">iron</a>, while non-ferrous metallurgy involves processes and alloys based on other metals. The production of ferrous metals accounts for 95% of world metal production.
Modern metallurgists work in both emerging and traditional areas as part of an interdisciplinary team alongside material scientists and other engineers. Some traditional areas include mineral processing, metal production, heat treatment, <a href="/facts/Metallurgical_failure_analysis/3NGm1g7l">failure analysis</a>, and the joining of metals (including <a href="/facts/Welding/6EJ62mYV">welding</a>, <a href="/facts/Brazing/JBgswMLw">brazing</a>, and <a href="/facts/Soldering/fod6dLHD">soldering</a>). Emerging areas for metallurgists include <a href="/facts/Nanotechnology/Co4FFNfY">nanotechnology</a>, <a href="/facts/Superconductivity/pqQAlSzJ">superconductors</a>, <a href="/facts/Composite_material/UBysQldh">composites</a>, <a href="/facts/Biomaterial/uBdFNr8I">biomedical materials</a>, <a href="/facts/Electronic_Materials/zFf3mGTE">electronic materials</a> (semiconductors) and <a href="/facts/Surface_engineering/QXKlrplr">surface engineering</a>.

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Metallurgy