Table of Contents
Metallurgy Definition
Metallurgy is the study of the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements and their compounds. It is also the technology of metals and their alloys.
Metallurgy Processes
The metallurgy processes involve the extraction of metals from their ores, the purification of the metals, and the fabrication of the metals into useful shapes.
The extraction of metals from their ores typically involves two steps: the roasting of the ore to produce a metal oxide, and the reduction of the metal oxide to the metal. The most common ores of metals are sulfides, carbonates, and oxides.
The roasting of an ore produces a metal oxide by heating the ore in the presence of air. For example, the roasting of the ore sulfur produces the metal oxide sulfur dioxide:
S + O2 → SO2
The reduction of a metal oxide to the metal typically involves the use of a reducing agent, such as carbon. For example, the reduction of the metal oxide sulfur dioxide to the metal sulfur can be accomplished by the following reaction:
2SO2 + C → 2SO + CO2
The purified metal is then typically cast into a useful shape.
Principles of Metallurgy
The basic principles of metallurgy are:
1. The extraction of a metal from its ore.
2. The purification of the metal.
3. The fabrication of the metal into a useful product.
The extraction of a metal from its ore usually involves three steps:
1. The ore is crushed and ground into a powder.
2. The powder is mixed with a suitable chemical agent called a flux.
3. The mixture is heated until the metal is vaporized and then collects as a liquid on a cold surface.
The purification of a metal usually involves two steps:
1. The metal is melted and poured into a mold called a crucible.
2. The crucible is heated until the metal is vaporized and then collects as a liquid on a cold surface.
The fabrication of a metal into a useful product usually involves two steps:
1. The metal is melted and poured into a mold called a casting.
2. The casting is allowed to cool and then the metal is removed from the mold.
