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Ray Harkins, The Manufacturing Academy and Garry Pace

Metallurgy is a major topic within material science that deals with the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements and their mixtures known as alloys. And this science of metallurgy that was birthed before the Bronze Age now extends into every sector of consumer and industrial products and structures. From the International Space Station to automobiles and airplanes ... from iPads to sky-scrapers ... nearly every product imaginable rests upon a foundation of metallurgy.

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Metallurgy is a major topic within material science that deals with the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements and their mixtures known as alloys. And this science of metallurgy that was birthed before the Bronze Age now extends into every sector of consumer and industrial products and structures. From the International Space Station to automobiles and airplanes ... from iPads to sky-scrapers ... nearly every product imaginable rests upon a foundation of metallurgy.

As a result, all sorts of manufacturing professionals quality and process engineers, supply chain professionals, production managers and more can benefit from understanding the basics of metallurgy. But for most of these professionals, metallurgy feels unapproachable. Its scientific concepts and terminology sounds foreign and complex, and few professional metallurgists take the time to explain the concepts to the outside world.

That is why we created this course, "An Introduction to Metallurgy". In it, you will learn a wide range of the fundamental concepts of this critical science. But don't worry ... we step through every concepts to help your learning process. In this course, we will cover:

  • What is Metallurgy

  • A Brief History of Metals

  • Physical Metallurgy

  • Mechanical Properties

  • How Steel is Made?

  • Crystal Structures

  • Alloying

  • And MUCH MORE.

Plus, read what other students have said about An Introduction to Metallurgy:

"Excellent beginner launch point for Metallurgy, especially for the price." - Mark M.

"Greatly appreciated Ray and Garry's explanations of a topic I struggled with during my BSME curriculum. I would agree that the vocabulary was a barrier to me the first time around, and so the effort to explain these terms and provide a glossary was helpful." - Michael R.

"Great course. I am a new metallurgical lab tech and this course taught me a lot." - Lee B.

"Both instructors seem passionate about this course. The lectures were easy to understand and very relevant to the field that I am in." - Ojinga B.

"A good high level overview of metallurgy." - Brent M.

"This was a very good introduction to the basics of metallurgy. This provided good insight for practical application." - Brad A.

This class is designed for quality, manufacturing, engineering and supply chain professionals looking to expand their skill set into this important field of study. "An Introduction to Metallurgy" will give you a foundational understanding of these key ideas and prepare you for more advanced training.

While an advanced understanding of chemistry and engineering is required to become a professional metallurgist, only a basic understanding of manufacturing is required to get started in this class.

Sign up today to begin your journey into the field of metallurgy.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • What is metallurgy
  • A brief history of metals
  • Physical metallurgy
  • The periodic table
  • Material test reports
  • Mechanical properties of metals
  • What is alloying
  • How steel is made

Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction to the Course
Introduction to the Instructor
What is Metallurgy?, Pt 1
Read more
What is Metallurgy?, Pt 2
Downloadable Resources
The History of Metals, Pt 1
The History of Metals, Pt 2
The History of Metals, Pt 3
Physical Metallurgy, Pt 1
Physical Metallurgy, Pt 2
The Periodic Table
Material Test Reports
Crystal Structures
Mechanical Properties
Hardness Testing
Impact Strength
How Steel is Made
Alloying
Reference Materials
Conclusion to the Course
Bonus Lecture

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in An Introduction to Metallurgy with these activities:
Review Basic Chemistry Concepts
Strengthen your understanding of fundamental chemistry concepts, which are essential for grasping the chemical behavior of metals and alloys discussed in the course.
Browse courses on Chemical Bonding
Show steps
  • Review your notes from previous chemistry courses.
  • Work through practice problems on chemical bonding and reactions.
  • Familiarize yourself with the periodic table and its trends.
Read 'Metallurgy for Dummies'
Gain a broad overview of metallurgy concepts in an easy-to-understand format, preparing you for the more detailed topics covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Metallurgy for Dummies'.
  • Read the chapters covering basic metallurgy principles.
  • Take notes on key concepts and definitions.
Practice Identifying Crystal Structures
Reinforce your understanding of crystal structures by practicing identifying different types of structures from diagrams and descriptions.
Show steps
  • Find online resources with diagrams of common crystal structures.
  • Practice identifying structures like BCC, FCC, and HCP.
  • Test yourself with quizzes or flashcards.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Glossary of Metallurgy Terms
Solidify your understanding of key metallurgy terms by creating your own glossary, which will serve as a valuable reference throughout the course.
Show steps
  • Identify key terms from the course materials.
  • Write clear and concise definitions for each term.
  • Organize the glossary alphabetically.
Research a Specific Alloy
Deepen your knowledge of alloying by researching a specific alloy, its composition, properties, and applications.
Show steps
  • Choose an alloy of interest (e.g., stainless steel, brass).
  • Research its composition, properties, and applications.
  • Write a short report summarizing your findings.
Read 'Understanding How Components Fail'
Expand your understanding of metallurgy by learning about common failure mechanisms in metallic components and how to prevent them.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Understanding How Components Fail'.
  • Read the chapters covering different failure mechanisms.
  • Take notes on key concepts and examples.
Create a Presentation on Steel Manufacturing
Consolidate your knowledge of steel manufacturing by creating a presentation that explains the different stages of the process.
Show steps
  • Research the different stages of steel manufacturing.
  • Create a presentation with clear and concise slides.
  • Practice delivering the presentation.

Career center

Learners who complete An Introduction to Metallurgy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Metallurgical Technician
Metallurgical technicians assist metallurgists and engineers in the study, development, and testing of metals and alloys. They perform laboratory tests, analyze data, and prepare reports. The metallurgical technician career commonly requires an associate's degree. An Introduction to Metallurgy can build a solid foundation for the practical aspects of the job. The course's overview of physical metallurgy, crystal structures, and mechanical properties can be especially relevant, equipping technicians with a basic understanding of how metals behave under various conditions.
Quality Control Inspector
A Quality Control Inspector ensures that products meet certain standards of quality and safety. This role involves examining materials and products, identifying defects, and ensuring adherence to manufacturing processes. An Introduction to Metallurgy may be useful, since understanding the properties of metals, as well as the processes used to create them, helps the inspector to evaluate and identify potential issues with metal components or products. The sections on material test reports, mechanical properties, and alloying may be especially helpful in understanding the standards that metal products must meet.
Failure Analysis Engineer
Failure Analysis Engineers investigate the causes of component or structural failures in products to prevent future problems. They examine materials and designs to determine why a part failed, applying principles of metallurgy and materials science. This role typically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, with advanced studies beneficial. An Introduction to Metallurgy can be a great starting point, providing a broad overview of the properties of metals, how they are made, and how they are used. This base can be built upon with further education.
Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing Engineers design, implement, and improve manufacturing processes and systems. An Introduction to Metallurgy can provide valuable context for selecting appropriate materials, designing tooling, and optimizing processes related to metal components. It helps to understand the physical and chemical properties of metals, alloying, and heat treatment processes. You might consider this course if you want to get into manufacturing engineering.
Research and Development Scientist
Research and Development Scientists who specialize in materials science focus on discovering and developing new materials with specific properties. An Introduction to Metallurgy can serve as a valuable starting point for understanding the fundamental principles that govern the behavior of metals and alloys. The course's introduction to physical metallurgy, crystal structures, and alloying can enable scientists to explore new compositions and processing techniques to create advanced materials with unique properties. This role commonly requires a Ph.D.
Process Engineer
Process Engineers design, develop, and optimize industrial processes for manufacturing products. They focus on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring product quality. Process engineers working in industries that involve metal processing or manufacturing will find that having a baseline understanding of metallurgy will be useful. An Introduction to Metallurgy may be useful, as it can help process engineers to better understand how metals behave during manufacturing and how to optimize the process to achieve the desired results. In particular, sections on how steel is made and alloying can provide engineers with valuable insights.
Production Manager
Production Managers oversee the manufacturing process, ensuring that products are produced on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. To be effective, a production manager should have a solid understanding of the materials and processes involved in manufacturing. An Introduction to Metallurgy may be useful for production managers, as it provides an overview of the key properties of metals, how they are processed, and the factors that can affect their quality. The sections on how steel is made and alloying, in particular, can provide insights into the manufacturing process.
Materials Engineer
Materials Engineers research, develop, and test materials used to create a variety of products, from computer chips and aircraft wings to medical implants. They understand the properties and structures of different materials to select the best ones for specific applications. To excel as a Materials Engineer, it helps to have a strong foundation in metallurgy. An Introduction to Metallurgy may be useful, as it provides an overview of the key concepts and terminology, including crystal structures, mechanical properties, and alloying. For an aspiring materials engineer, it can serve as a valuable stepping stone to more advanced study.
Manufacturing Technician
Manufacturing Technicians are responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining the equipment and processes used in manufacturing. They work closely with engineers to ensure that production runs smoothly and efficiently. An understanding of metallurgy can be very beneficial for manufacturing technicians, especially those working with metal products. An Introduction to Metallurgy may be useful, as it provides a general introduction to what metallurgy is as well as covering the history of metals, physical metallurgy, and how steel is made. The course can help technicians better understand the materials they are working with and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
Supply Chain Analyst
Supply Chain Analysts are responsible for managing the flow of goods from raw materials to finished products. They analyze data, identify trends, and develop strategies to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Supply chain analysts who work with metal products can benefit from understanding metallurgy. An Introduction to Metallurgy can help these analysts better understand the properties of metals, how they are processed, and the factors that can affect their quality. This understanding can help them make better decisions about sourcing, transportation, and storage.
Welder
Welders use heat to fuse pieces of metal together, creating strong and durable joints. They work in a variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing, and transportation. Having an understanding of metallurgy can be beneficial for welders, as it can help them understand the properties of the metals they are working with and how they will behave during the welding process. An Introduction to Metallurgy may be useful, as it covers the basics of metallurgy, including the properties of different metals, how they are alloyed, and how steel is made. With a solid understanding of these fundamentals, welders can improve their skills and produce higher-quality welds.
Laboratory Manager
Laboratory Managers oversee the operations of testing and research labs, ensuring that equipment is properly maintained, experiments are conducted accurately, and safety protocols are followed. If the lab performs metallurgical testing or analysis, then An Introduction to Metallurgy can be helpful. In particular, the material test reports section, in addition to the sections on crystal structures and mechanical properties, will prove to be very useful. While this course will not teach lab management alone, it does provide a solid foundation of understanding for laboratory managers focused on metallurgy.
Sales Engineer
As a Sales Engineer, you would apply scientific and engineering principles to sales. Many sales engineers sell complex technical products or services to businesses. An Introduction to Metallurgy may be useful if you plan to sell alloys or anything related to metallurgy. The course can give you a general introduction to what metallurgy is as well as covering the history of metals, physical metallurgy, and how steel is made. The course can help technicians better understand the materials they are working with and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
Automotive Technician
Automotive Technicians inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks. Because automobiles use a wide variety of metals and alloys, the technician who has training in metallurgy will be better poised to diagnose problems and affect repairs. An Introduction to Metallurgy may prove useful to automotive technicians, as it provides an overview of the key properties of metals, how they are processed, and the factors that can affect their quality. The sections on how steel is made and alloying, in particular, might provide insights into the challenges surrounding the maintenance of automobiles.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create documentation that helps people understand and use complex products and services. In manufacturing, technical writers may produce manuals describing the properties and uses of various metals. An Introduction to Metallurgy may be useful, as it provides a broad overview of its subject, from the history of metals to contemporary applications. Technical Writer will be better able to understand the subject and write clearly about it.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in An Introduction to Metallurgy.
Provides a comprehensive overview of failure analysis in metallic components. It valuable resource for understanding the causes of failure and how to prevent them. It is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference. This book adds more depth to the course by providing real-world examples of metallurgical failures.
Provides a simplified and accessible introduction to metallurgy, making it an excellent resource for beginners. It covers the core concepts of metallurgy in a clear and concise manner, avoiding complex jargon. It is especially helpful for those without a strong science background. It serves as a useful reference for understanding the basic principles of metals and alloys.

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