Metallurgical Engineering

Metallurgical technologists design, process, manufacture, characterise and improve all mineral-based and metal materials used today, as well as those that are to be developed. They are concerned with the extraction of minerals and the production, development and monitoring of engineering materials. Metallurgy is about extracting and refining valuable minerals and metals and converting them into useful engineering products. The student will:

• separate minerals, using their physical properties;
• extract metals or minerals by chemical reactions;
  
• utilise the properties of metals and alloys to tailor products for specific purposes; and
  
• characterise and improve the properties of engineering materials.
  

Metallurgy is divided into two broad fields, namely extractive metallurgy and physical metallurgy.

• Extractive Metallurgy
  Most ores contain very little valuable metal; sometimes as little as one per cent. The job of the metallurgical technologist is to separate and purify those small amounts in an economical way. The extractive metallurgist should therefore have knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of various materials and the extent of variation under different conditions. The knowledge gained is used to design, test, operate and maintain plants as efficiently and economically as possible. State-of-the-art instruments and computers are used to keep track of the complex processes in modern plants and to pinpoint problems as soon as they arise.

• Physical Metallurgy
  Methods to develop and manufacture metals and alloys with high resistance to various forms of corrosion, high temperatures and stress form part of this programme. Physical metallurgists develop metals with specific properties that are essential for power generation, transport and housing. New and improved alloys developed through physical metallurgy are used in the structures of offshore oilrigs, chemical processing plants and high-performance aircraft.

For more information contact:
Refilwe Ngaka
Tel: 012 382 4392/3550
Fax: 012 382 3532
E-mail: ngakarm@tut.ac.za