Friday 12 April 2013

A brief introduction to Metallurgy --- Now & Then

The science and technology of metals can be called as Metallurgy. It includes all physical, chemical, mechanical, allotropic and many other properties of metals and their alloys. In ancient China and Egypt, the art of smelting, refining & shaping was first developed using precious Gold for making ornaments, plates, utensils, seats and even beds. By the time Microscope was invented, it was not possible to find out the microstructure of a metal. American steel companies first started the use of microscope in early twentieth century. Although the process of X-Ray diffraction and introduction of wave mechanics was applied in 1922, the modern metallurgists had already developed.

In the past, machines, bridges and other metal works used to be very heavy and large due to the unawareness of craftsmen about the mechanical, physical, electrical properties of the particular metal. So as a matter of safety, they used to make them large enough. In modern automobile and aircraft industries metallurgists take into consideration the strength weight ratio, which has ultimately led us to a new era of Alloys.

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