What is Metallurgy?
{{sources|date=September 2013}} '''Metallurgy''' is the study of [[metal]]s. [[Alloy]]s (mixtures of metals) are also studied. There are two main branches of Metallurgy. They are physical and chemical metallurgy. A Metallurgist is individual who researches, manufactures and develops metal items that range from car parts to [[Semiconductor|semiconductors]]. Metallurgists and Metallurgical Engineers often work for consulting [[engineering]] firms; mining and manufacturing companies; and in government and universities. Many metallurgists hold a Bachelor of Engineering or similar 4- year degree. '''Common Job Tasks''' * Study the properties metals and alloys through scientific experiments * Plan and design machines and processes to concentrate, extract, refine and process [[Metal|metals]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=July 14, 2020|title=Metallurgical and materials engineers|url=https://www.workbc.ca/careers/2142|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523101937/https://www.workbc.ca/careers/2142|archive-date=May 23, 2022|access-date=November 26, 2020|website=WorkBC}}</ref> *Work in a manner that is environmentally and economically conscious. == Chemical Metallurgy == Chemical Metallurgy is the study of extracting and refining metals through chemical reactions. This field also commonly involves [[corrosion]] prevention and surface treatment of metals. Scientific concepts such as [[thermodynamics]], the study of [[heat]] flow and [[kinetics]], the study of the speed of reactions are very central to chemical metallurgy. Metallurgists are very interested in the chemical reactions that occur with different elements. Chemical reactions are carried out on a large scale to obtain a useful product. For example, the production of [[steel]] in a [[blast furnace]] involves turning different [[Iron]] and oxide compounds into pure Iron.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-01-18|title=23.3: Metallurgy of Iron and Steel|url=https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/General_Chemistry/Map%3A_General_Chemistry