FAQ: Metallurgy
1. Will the course suit me?
Students with an interest in chemistry, mathematics, engineering and management often make successful engineers in metallurgy or metallurgists
2. What will we learn in Metallurgy Engineering?
As a Metallurgy Engineer, you’ll learn the fundamentals of all three fields, as well as the basics of engineering in general.
The main areas of study in Metallurgy Engineering are:
- Hydrometallurgy
- Physical Metallurgy
- Pyrometallurgy
- Electrometallurgy
- Minerals processing
- Mechanical metallurgy
- Welding metallurgy
- Corrosion
- Metallurgical analysis
- Heat treatment of steels and alloys
- Refractory materials
3. What does a Metallurgy Engineer do?
Extractive Metallurgists who work in the mining and minerals industry, control and develop flotation, smelting, electrolytic and other processes used in winning metals from their ores, for producing iron and steel, or for refining gold, silver, zinc, copper and other metals. He/she studies ore reduction problems to determine most efficient methods of producing metals commercially.
Physical Metallurgists develop alloys of the required physical and mechanical properties for various applications (Nuclear, Aerospace, cryogenic, Petrochemical, Marine, Electronic etc) by tailoring the microstructure by suitable thermo-mechanical treatments.
Mechanical Metallurgists deal with deformation and fracture behavior of metals and alloys.
4. Can a girl student take this course?
Yes. To become a metallurgist or a materials engineer, only a scientific and methodical mind is required. You need to be able to work as part of a team, with good communication skills, independence, curiosity and efficiency as additional desired qualities.
5. What is the career scope for a Metallurgy Engineer?
Metallurgical Engineers can become a part of any industry that uses/manufactures metals and alloy products. They progress to Senior Metallurgical Engineer, Metallurgical Superintendent and Plant Manager in due course. One can also be a Research Fellow, a Scientist or a Professor in various labs and universities located in India and abroad.
6. What are the areas of research in Metallurgy Engineering?
Metallurgy is an interdisciplinary field involving the properties of materials and their applications to various areas of science and engineering. Metallurgists investigate the relationship between the structure of materials at atomic or molecular scales and their macroscopic properties. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology are gaining importance in recent years, Materials Science has been propelled to the forefront at many universities. It is also an important part of forensic engineering and failure analysis. The material science also deals with fundamental properties and characteristics of materials.