metalurji

Metalurji, or metallurgy in English, is the science and technology of metals and their alloys. It covers the extraction of metals from ores and the subsequent processing to produce usable materials and components. The field is commonly divided into extractive metallurgy, which includes mining, ore beneficiation, smelting and refining, and alloy recovery; and physical metallurgy, which studies the structure, properties, and processing of metals and alloys, including alloy design, heat treatment, deformation processing, casting, forming, joining, and surface engineering.

Key concepts in metallurgy include phase diagrams, microstructure, and the relationships between processing, structure, and properties. Metallurgical practice draws on chemistry, physics, and materials science to understand alloy systems, corrosion, wear, fatigue, and failure mechanisms, and to tailor materials for specific applications.

Historically, metalworking began with copper and tin in the Bronze Age, followed by iron in the Iron Age. The Industrial Revolution saw major advances in steelmaking, refining, and alloy development. In the 20th and 21st centuries, processes such as basic oxygen steelmaking, electrorefining, and powder metallurgy broaden material options and improve performance.

Today, metallurgy emphasizes sustainability, energy efficiency, and metal recycling. It underpins construction, transportation, machinery, electronics, and energy technologies, and it continues to evolve with advances in materials science, computational modeling, and process control. Education in metallurgy is provided by universities and technical institutes and supported by standards organizations and industry laboratories.