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Elements of Metallurgy

ASM HOMESTUDY COURSE (14 Lesson Series)

Course Overview:

Elements of Metallurgy will give you an intensive introduction to the principles of metallurgy. You will gain a good understanding of practical applications in various fields of metals and alloy production, testing and manufacturing processes.

This course supplies not only fundamental background information, but a good understanding of many other areas dealing with metallurgy. What's more, it's an excellent keystone for building a metallurgical program in your chosen area of specialisation...and it's the perfect prerequisite for taking more technically difficult courses that will be required for career growth.

A sound understanding of both chemistry and physics is required.

What You'll Learn:

Course Outline:

1. Atoms, Molecules and Crystals: common elements; atomic structure; periodic table; how atoms combine; crystals and crystalline materials.

2. The Physics and Chemistry of Metals: physical quantities and their measurement; conservation of mass and energy; chemical solutions, formulas and equations; acids, bases and salts.

3. Chemical Equilibrium, Heat and Temperature: compound formation; types of reactions; effects of heat; instruments for measuring temperature.

4. Elements of Extractive Metallurgy: steps in processing common ores to metals; beneficiating and reducing methods; types of furnaces; refractories.

5. Metal Refining: primary methods for refining steel; basic-oxygen and electric-furnace processes; ladle metallurgy; electrolytic refining of non-ferrous metals.

6. Solidification of Metals: patterns of atoms in solid metals; stages of crystal growth; formation of grain boundaries; phase diagrams; ingot casting and continuous casting.

7. Solid Solutions: effects of alloy additions; substitutional and interstitial solid solutions; movement of atoms in solid solutions; diffusion; important commercial alloys.

8. Heat Treatment of Steel: Fundamentals: types of steel; structure of iron; relation between carbon content and microstructure; austenite, bainite and martensite; hardness and hardenability.

9. Heat Treatment of Steel: Equipment and Processes: main types of heat treating furnaces, atmospheres and quenching media; temperature control systems; case hardening and localized hardening processes.

10. Precipitation Hardening Heat Treatments: solution annealing and precipitation hardening; coherency theory; effects of aging on properties of alloys; requirements for hardening by precipitation.

11. Failure of Metals Under Service Conditions: major causes of metal failure during service; major methods of preventing corrosion; factors that cause metal failure due to rupture and wear; effects of high and low temperatures.

12. Forming of Metals - Part I: Primary Forming Processes: plastic and elastic deformation; effects on grain structure; forging operations and machines; rolling, extruding and wire drawing; lubricants and coolants.

13. Forming of Metals - Part II: Secondary Forming Processes: casting methods and molds; mechanical forming; welding, soldering and brazing; powder metallurgy; hot isostatic pressing.

14. Metallurgical Testing and Inspection: techniques and instruments for mechanical and nondestructive testing and metallographic examination; metal properties determined by testing.

Continuing Education Units: 2.8

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The Institute of Materials Engineering Australasia Ltd, trading as Materials Australia, is also a technical society of Engineers Australia, Suite 205 / 21 Bedford Street, NORTH MELBOURNE VICTORIA AUSTRALIA 3051
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