metallurgy

/ˌmɛdlˈʌrdʒi/

Metallurgy is the science of metals. If you know a lot about the chemical makeup of metallic elements, as well as how to produce and purify metal, you're a metallurgy expert.

In the 17th century, metallurgy was defined as "the science of smelting," or heating ore to extract metal. The word derives from Greek roots metallon, "metal," and ergon, "work." Working with metal, and having a deep understanding of its chemical properties, including how it combines with other metals to form alloys, is what metallurgy is all about.

Definitions of metallurgy

1. noun

   the science and technology of metals
   types:

   powder metallurgy

   the metallurgy of powdered metals; how to produce solid metal objects from powdered metal by compaction and sintering

   type of:

   science, scientific discipline

   a particular branch of scientific knowledge