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Georg Agricola, author ofDe re

metallica, an important early book

on metal extraction

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Metallurgy is a domain of materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their

intermetallic compounds, 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. Metallurgy is distinguished from the craft of metalworking.

1 Etymology and pronunciation2 History

3 Extraction

4 Alloys

5 Production

5.1 Metalworking processes

5.2 Heat treatment

5.3 Plating5.4 Thermal spraying

6 Microstructure

7 See also

8 References

The word was originally (1593) an alchemist's term for the extraction of metals from minerals: the ending -urgy signifying a process, especially manufacturing: it

was in this sense it was used by the 1797 Encyclopaedia Britannica.[1] In the late 19th century it was extended to the more general scientific study of metals

and alloys and related processes.[1] The roots are borrowed from Ancient Greek: , matallourgos, "worker in metal", from , metallon,

"metal" + , ergon, "work". In English, the /metldi/ pronunciation is the more common one in the UK and Commonwealth. The /metlrdi/

pronunciation is the more common one in the USA, and is the first-listed variant in various American dictionaries (e.g.,Merriam-Webster Collegiate,American

Heritage). Worldwide, both are accepted.

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Metallography allows the metallurgist

to study the microstructure of metals.

breaking.

Often, mechanical and thermal treatments are combined in what is known as thermo-mechanical treatments for better properties and more efficient processing

of materials. These processes are common to high alloy special steels, super alloys and titanium alloys.

Plating

Main article: Plating

Electroplating is a common surface-treatment technique. It involves bonding a thin layer of another metal such as gold, silver, chromium or zinc to the surface

of the product. It is used to reduce corrosion as well as to improve the product's aesthetic appearance.

Thermal spraying

Main article: Thermal spraying

Thermal spraying techniques are another popular finishing option, and often have better high temperature properties than electroplated coatings.

Metallurgists study the microscopic and macroscopic properties using metallography, a technique invented by Henry

Clifton Sorby. In metallography, an alloy of interest is ground flat and polished to a mirror finish. The sample can then be

etched to reveal the microstructure and macrostructure of the metal. The sample is then examined in an optical or

electron microscope, and the image contrast provides details on the composition, mechanical properties, and processing

history.

Crystallography, often using diffraction of x-rays or electrons, is another valuable tool available to the modernmetallurgist. Crystallography allows identification of unknown materials and reveals the crystal structure of the sample.

Quantitative crystallography can be used to calculate the amount of phases present as well as the degree of strain to

which a sample has been subjected.

Metallurgical failure analysisArchaeometallurgy


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CALPHAD

Carbonyl metallurgy

Cupellation

Georg Agricola

Goldbeating

Gold_phosphine_complex

Mineral industry

National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology

Pyrometallurgy

Timeline of materials technology

^a

b

Oxford English Dictionary, accessed 29 January 20111.

^ doi:10.1016/j.jas.2010.06.0122.

^ Neolithic Vinca was a metallurgical culture (http://www.stonepages.com/news/archives/002605.html) Stonepages from news sources November 20073.

^ ab W. Keller (1963) The Bible as History page 156 ISBN 0 340 00312 X4.

^ B. W. Anderson (1975) The Living World of the Old Testamentpage 154 ISBN 0-582-48598-35.

^ R. F. Tylecote (1992) A History of Metallurgy ISBN 0-901462-88-86.

^ Karl Alfred von Zittel (1901)History of Geology and Palaeontology page 157.

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Categories: Metals | Metallurgy | Numismatics

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