Skip to main content

Career in Metallurgical Engineering

Metallurgical Engineering is a broad field of engineering that deals with all sorts of metal-related areas. It is branch of engineering that deals with a study of science 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. It is an important branch of engineering. Metallurgy is commonly used in the craft of metalworking. Metallurgical engineering can be broadly divided into three categories –

Physical metallurgy: Deals with problem solving: you’ll develop the sorts of metallic alloys needed for different types of manufacturing and construction.

Extractive metallurgy: Involves extracting metal from ore.

Mineral processing: Involves gathering mineral products from the earth’s crust. Mineral Processing deals with the technology of processing mineral products after it is extracted from the earth crust in impure form.

Eligibility:
The candidates applying for the course of B.E in Metallurgical Engineering should hold a pass certificate of 10 and 10+2 form any recognized University or board of the country. The candidates must qualify in the EAMCET exam or state joint entrance exams (JEE) or may even enter the course through All India Joint Entrance Exam (AIEEE). The minimum percentage of marks to sit in these exams is 50%. Candidates can also join after completion of their diploma courses. In this case they must get qualified in the ECET exam.

Skills required choose this course:
  • Problem-solving skills and analytical ability to determine the properties and best uses of metals and other materials
  • Practical and technical skills, particularly for doing metal failure investigation work
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Report writing skills
  • Research skills planning and organizational skills.
  • Metallurgists should also keep up to date with the latest research developments and laboratory techniques.
Course outlook:
B.E in Metallurgical Engineering is a course having a span of 4 years, which includes two semesters per year, i.e. a total of eight exams in the span of the course. The main areas of study in Metallurgy Engineering are:
  • Basic Hydrometallurgy.
  • Basic Physical Metallurgy.
  • Basic Pyrometallurgy.
  • Corrosion.
  • Electrometallurgy.
  • Flotation.
  • Heat treatment of steels.
  • Hydrometallurgy.
  • Literature survey.
  • Mechanical metallurgy.
  • Metallurgical analysis.
  • Minerals processing.
  • Physical metallurgy.
  • Pyrometallurgy.
  • Refractory materials.
  • Welding metallurgy.
Scope of Metallurgy in India
Metallurgical jobs are among the most coveted in India. Metal extractors like Tata Steel, Steel Authority of India (SAIL), Hindustan Copper Limited, Hindalco Industries Limited, and Jindal Steel are the major recruiters of metallurgical consultants. Among the electrical industries, Finolex Cables Limited and Cable Corporation of India are the leading employers of metallurgy scholars.

Scope outside India
Overseas, students after successfully completing metallurgy courses in India are offered placements as metallurgical technicians, metallurgical engineers, and process analysts. Organizations in metal extraction industry, alloy manufacturing plants, and heavy machinery units appoint qualified metallurgical professionals.

Eligibility for Metallurgical Engineers
If you want make a career in Metallurgical Engineering, you need at least a bachelor's degree. You can major in metallurgical engineering, metallurgy, or materials science. It usually takes four or five years to earn a bachelor's degree. You 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.

Job Prospects for Metallurgical Engineers
Metallurgists are employed in foundries, heat treatment shops, rolling mills, etc. industries. They are also employed in research laboratories, industries and plants extracting and processing metals like iron and steel, nickel, tin, copper, zinc, aluminium 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, Career Options for Teens.

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.
Published date : 30 Jun 2011 07:36AM

Photo Stories