Do You Know What Metallurgical Engineers Do?
Metallurgical engineering is the field of engineering that studies and applies metals and their properties. It covers various fields including extraction, production, purification and use of metals. Metallurgical engineering is an important field in the industry because it plays a vital role in the development of new materials and the improvement of existing materials. This field deals with the design and operation of processes that transform raw materials into useful engineered products. Metallurgical engineers work to advance the entire metalworking industry to meet current and future metal needs. The importance of metallurgy in industry cannot be overemphasized, as it is an integral part of the manufacture of many everyday products.
Metallurgy includes three main branches:
physical metallurgy, extractive metallurgy, and mineral processing.
Physical metallurgy is the study of the physical and mechanical properties of metals and alloys. This branch of metallurgical engineering is concerned with problem-solving and aims to improve the properties of metals and alloys for specific applications.
Extractive metallurgy, on the other hand, focuses on the extraction of metals from their ores, purification, and alloying of metals.
Mineral processing engineering deals with the extraction, separation, and concentration of minerals from raw ores.
These three branches work together to ensure the efficient production of metals and alloys for various applications.
Without metallurgical engineering, the production of metals and the design of metal-based products would not be possible. Metallurgical engineers play a vital role in the development and improvement of metals and alloys that are used in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics In conclusion, metallurgical engineering is a fascinating field that is essential for the development and improvement of materials that are used in everyday products. The field’s importance in the industry cannot be overstated, and the three branches of metallurgical engineering work together to ensure the efficient production of metals and alloys for various applications.
It’s predicted that the job outlook for metallurgical engineers in both Canada and the US will increase by 30 per cent over the next few years. This is a very high number when compared to other occupations, which means that it’s expected that many new graduates from metallurgical engineering schools will be able to find work right after they graduate.
New Metallurgical Engineering graduates get starting salary packages of INR 6,50,000 to INR 10,00,000. With 5 years of experience, Metallurgical Engineers earn INR 12,50,000 to INR 18,00,000 annually on average.
How to Become a Metallurgical Engineer in India?
To get entrance into the undergraduate Metallurgical Engineering program in Indian colleges, you need to have Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in your 12th standard/high school certificate.
Aspirants who wish to become metallurgical engineers can enrol in undergraduate courses like BE (Bachelor of Engineering), B. Tech (Bachelor of Technology), or B. Sc (Bachelor of Science). These bachelor’s degree programs are offered by universities in India. After the completion of this four-year bachelor’s degree program, one can pursue post-graduate studies or start working.
Metallurgical Engineering is an important stream in the mining field. It has further specialization too.
You may choose to specialize in the following areas:
- Mining Metallurgy: This specialization is for those who want to explore the complete process of mining.
- Processing Metallurgy: This course will be helpful if you wish to explore the extraction and refining processes that are used in metallurgy.
- Corrosion, Failure Analysis & Engineering Design: This specialization will be beneficial for those looking forward to pursuing their career as a corrosion engineer. This job profile is growing at a very high rate, as industries are progressively becoming concerned about the recurring costs of corrosion.
Colleges for Metallurgical Engineering in IndiaÂ
- National Institute of Technology, Warangal;
- Indian School of Mines – Dhanbad;
- National Institute of Foundry & Forge Technology – Ranchi;
- Birla Institute of Technology & Science – Pilani, etc.
All these institutions provide excellent course curricula in their Metallurgical Engineering courses.
Best Countries for Studying Metallurgical Engineering
United States of America:
It is a sure-shot destination every year for many metallurgical engineering aspirants. Over 15,000 students choose to pursue their metallurgical engineering degrees from US universities each year. The country has 54 out of 100 best universities in the world that provide excellent infrastructural facilities along with high-quality education.
Germany:
The country offers excellent opportunities to metallurgical engineering aspirants due to the presence of many big companies like Siemens AG, ThyssenKrupp AG, and MAN SE that help in building up the strong technical skills of students.
France:
France is yet another big destination for metallurgical engineering aspirants. The country has excellent universities like Ecole Central Paris, Ecole Polytechnique, and Mines Paristech that provide high-quality education to students. Around 2,000 of the 10,000 students who study abroad every year choose to study Metallurgical Engineering in France.
Japan:
One of the most important reasons for choosing to study in Japan is that many international companies have their manufacturing units here. Although the universities are not as strong as those in the USA and Europe but still quality education is offered by institutions like Tokyo University, Osaka University, and Waseda University. The language barrier can be a hindrance for some students.