metallurgic

Metallurgic is an adjective pertaining to metallurgy, the science and technology of metals. It encompasses the extraction, refining, alloying, shaping, and finishing of metallic substances and their compounds. In contemporary usage, the more common term is metallurgical, but metallurgic remains a correct descriptor of related concepts and processes.

The field comprises several subdisciplines. Extractive metallurgy focuses on obtaining metals from ores, including mining, ore concentration, smelting, refining, and electrorefining. Physical metallurgy studies the properties and behavior of metals, including alloy design, phase transformations, heat treatment, deformation processing, and microstructure analysis often referred to as metallography. Chemical metallurgy concerns the chemical properties of metals and their compounds, including corrosion resistance and surface chemistry.

Common processes associated with metallurgic practice include ore processing, smelting, refining, and various forming methods such as casting, forging, rolling, and extrusion. Joining methods like welding and brazing are also integral. Heat treatment—comprising annealing, quenching, and tempering—modifies microstructure to adjust hardness, strength, and toughness. Modern metallurgic and metallurgical work increasingly employs additive manufacturing, surface engineering, and computational materials science to tailor material properties.

Historically, metallurgy began in ancient times with early metalworking during the Bronze and Iron Ages. The discipline expanded through scientific advances in the 18th–20th centuries, enabling systematic extraction, refinement, alloy development, and standardized properties for diverse industries. Metallurgy underpins sectors such as construction, transportation, energy, electronics, and manufacturing, where metals must meet specific performance criteria.