"No one is worth your tears and the one that is will never make you cry."

Metallurgical Engineering

I am one semester away before graduating and finally obtaining my Bachelors Degree in Metallurgical Engineering.

Now, I have plenty of friends asking me : Metal-what?! What IS Metallurgy?

Well, in brief, I can tell you, we as Metallurgist, we study about metals - any field that is related to all sorts of metals. Yes, it seems like it is a manly job. But hey! Who says a woman cannot handle what a man can? We are always perceived as less reliable by numerous sectors - particularly in this field that I am in.

Metallurgical Engineering has three main branches - physical metallurgy, extractive metallurgy and process metallurgy.

Physical Metallurgy - This branch deals mainly in problem solving. We are Engineers that design and develop metallic alloys that are used in various manufacturing and construction industries. We learn about the phase transformation of the metals in different temperatures and pressures and how we can correlate them to the different types of service environment. Basically, its the behavior of metals under load, temperature and pressure. We determine the most cost-effective ways to produce metal products that are suitable and sustainable in their service environment. Metal performance is vital to public safety, indirectly.

Extractive Metallurgy - This involves the extraction of metals from ores. As you know, ores contains the metallic component in the impure form embedded in the earth crust, in rocks. Thus, there is the need to extract these valuable metals in the most cost-effective methods. How else do you think you get Aluminium and Iron from? These metals are widely used in industries. Different grade of steels make car bodies, Aluminium alloys, well, DUH, beverage cans, window panels.. These are just a few examples. Consider the other metals.. Removing metals from ores and then refining them and made into various alloy forms to obtain usable metals with better physical and mechanical properties, pending on the service performance.

Process Metallurgy - This branch relates to the shaping of metals through casting, forging, drawing, extrusion, welding and soldering techniques. For example, the typically formed and shaped parts of an automobile - the antenna of your car, is drawn; the valves in your car engine are forged and the tail light lenses are made from injection-molding; springs in your car are drawn and peened.

This is just an overview.

So as a major in this field, I learn the fundamentals of all these three fields, and basic of engineering in general.

Metallurgy is a branch from materials science and technology. Metal is afterall, a material. So I am studying specifically about metals. Less of other materials like polymer, composite and ceramics.

Click on this link to know where minerals are used.

So, looking into this field, my desired career prospects will be as a Corrosion Engineer. Job scopes will be monitoring corrosion and controlling corrosion in structures. I am sure it will be interesting and adventurous. At least it IS something different and less common, and it concerns the general public safety. Hey! Indirectly, I am saving lifes! =)

Imagine the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco with an estimation of 1.2 million rivets! It has been exposed to sea water since completion in 1937. Sea water contributes to corrosion of rivets and steel structures. Without maintenance and corrosion prevention, the bridge may have collapsed years ago!

Airplanes that transport you on Air Asia or any budget airlines - they're mostly recycled! As in they were bought from another aviation company after they have reached a certain service life (usually in 20-25 years of age). It is expensive to dismantle an airplane and not worth the trouble. (Why else you think sometimes they delay and the plane requires routine checks and all?) But then, thanks to the maintenance department, they are still good to fly. They use non-destructive testing methods - ultrasonic testing, penetrant testing - to check for wear and corrosion of the components. You wouldn't want the upper fuselage of the aircraft to come apart in mid-air do you? =) (Yes! I studied the basic of those stuff too! But you need more in-depth knowledge and certification for NDT methods!)

So, a friend asked me the other day : Tell me something interesting about Metallurgy - I hope the above answered your question.

It IS an interesting subject. But I just find it difficult if I were to start looking for a job. That is what I worry most. Most companies are gender-biased. I was rejected plenty on my internship hunt. Mainly because they only want to hire the male species. NOT because I was incompetent. I was also stubborn because I do not see myself stuck in a room / lab doing research. Hence, NO to semiconductor field. I need a field job - basically out in the open so I can get my hands dirty!

There, enough said.

"Don't make someone a priority, when you're only an option"

Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone;
Do not be troubled for the future, for it is yet to come;
Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.

Nathan Scott, One Tree Hill