METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING
Introduction
Metallurgical Engineering is very much an important branch of engineering. Metallurgical Engineering is the study of the science and art of metals and their properties, including separating metals from their ores, the making and compounding of alloys, and the technology and science of working and heat-treating metals to alter their physical characteristics. Metallurgy is commonly used in the craft of metalworking. Metallurgical engineering is broadly divided into three categories - physical metallurgy, extractive metallurgy, and mineral processing. Physical metallurgy needs problem solving skills.
In this case a metallurgical engineer prepares the sorts of metallic alloys needed for different types of manufacturing and construction works. Extractive metallurgy involves extracting metal from ore. Mineral Processing deals with the technology of processing mineral products after it is extracted from the earth crust in impure form.
Metallurgical Engineering is an important branch of engineering that deals with the study of the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their inter-metallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. The branch can simply be called as the technology of metals.
All metallurgical engineers have h to learn the fundamental principles of all three fields including basic engineering in general. The work of metallurgical engineers is similar to the work of metallurgical scientists. Metallurgical engineers use complex equipment, including electron microscopes, X-ray machines, and spectrographs. They use the latest scientific and technological findings in their work. Metallurgical engineers are often assisted by metallurgical technicians.
Eligibility for Metallurgical Engineering
For a career in Metallurgical Engineering, the aspirant need to complete the bachelor's degree. The subject can be taken as major in metallurgical engineering, metallurgy, or materials science. It usually takes four or five years to earn a bachelor's degree. One can earn a master's degree in one or two years of additional full-time study. It usually takes about four years of full time study to receive a doctoral degree once you have earned a bachelor's degree. The minimum requirement for being a metallurgical engineer is a bachelor's degree (B.E./B.Tech) which is usually of four years duration.
Candidates who have completed +2 Science with Physics, Chemistry and Maths can pursue Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical engineering. Another option would be to opt for M.Tech after completing B.Tech or M.Sc in Chemistry for which he/she has to qualify the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) Entrance Examination. Candidates with zeal to study further can take up Ph.D in Metallurgical engineering to perform research work. BE/BTech in Metallurgical Engineering is offered by many institutions in India including the IIT's. Admission is generally made on the basis of entrance examination like IIT-JEE in case of IIT's and other state level joint entrance examinations of various states.
Job Prospects for Metallurgical Engineers
Metallurgical engineering is a diverse field and it provides wide variety of career opportunities to young people who have an interest in technology, science and engineering. Metallurgical engineers are mostly required in every industry and enterprise that produces, buys, sells refines or manufactures metals or metallic products. In India young metallurgical graduates can usually expect some exciting career opportunities in government undertakings as well as in private companies. Apart from opting for industrial jobs one can also join as a research fellow or an associate or a scientist or professor in various labs and universities located in India and abroad.
Job duties of metallurgical engineer: Conduct research and development, Develop processing plants, Supervise production processes, Assure the quality of metal products, Sell and service metal products. Write for technical magazines and trade associations. Metallurgical Engineers may also supervise the work of metallographers, highly trained technologists, and other assistants in conducting tests on metals to determine their structure for such purposes as quality control, the development of new and improved alloys, and the development of better production methods.
Metallurgical Engineering Institutes/Universities
Metallurgical Engineering |
Remuneration
Starting salaries of metallurgical engineers is among the highest in the engineering profession. The starting pay-package for a fresh pass from any average engineering college ranges between Rs.15, 000 � Rs.25, 000. The salary increases with skills and experience. Fresh graduates from IITs and NITs get more salary as compared to other engineering colleges.
Metallurgists are mostly employed in foundries, heat treatment shops, rolling mills, etc. They are also employed in research laboratories, industries and plants extracting and processing metals like iron and steel, nickel, tin, copper, zinc, aluminum and brass, etc. Tata Iron and Steel Company at Jamshedpur and steel plants of Durgapur, Bhillai, Rourkela and Bokaro also employ them. The salary for a fresh metallurgical engineer ranges between Rs. 15,000 - Rs. 25,000. Also further the salary increases with skills and experience.