Metallurgy Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts from metallurgy, focusing on ore extraction, refining processes, thermodynamics, and applications of various metals.

Metallurgy

The science and technology of metals, including their extraction and behavior.

Ore

A naturally occurring substance obtained by mining which contains the metal in free state or in the form of compounds.

Mineral

A naturally occurring substance that contains metal in a suitable form for extraction.

Concentration of ores

The process of removing impurities from ores to increase the concentration of the metal.

Gravity separation

A method to separate ore from gangue based on differences in specific gravity.

Froth flotation

A concentration method where ore particles are separated from gangue by using a frothing agent and air.

Leaching

The process of extracting metals from ores by dissolving them in a suitable solvent.

Roasting

The process of converting sulphide ores into oxides by heating them with oxygen.

Calcination

A heating process to convert ores into oxides in the absence of air.

Reduction

The process of converting metal oxides into elemental metals using a reducing agent.

Smelting

A method of extracting metals from their ores by heating and melting.

Electrolysis

An electrochemical process used to extract metals from their salts by passing an electric current.

Ellingham diagram

A graphical representation of the change in Gibbs free energy for the formation of oxides with temperature.

Thermodynamic principles

Principles that explain the feasibility of reactions based on changes in free energy.

Electrochemical principles

Principles that describe the behavior of metals during electrochemical processes.

Zone refining

A purification method based on fractional crystallization of metals.

Vapour phase method

A refining method where volatile metal compounds are formed and then decomposed.

Cyanide leaching

A leaching method used for extracting gold and silver with sodium cyanide.

Auto reduction

A process where some ores are roasted to yield the metal directly.

Flux

A chemical substance that helps in forming a fusible slag with gangue during smelting.

Distillation

A refining method for low boiling metals where the metal is evaporated and condensed.

Liquation

A separation method for removing impurities with higher melting points from lower melting point metals.

Electrolytic refining

A method of purifying metals through electrolysis, using impure metal as anode.

Hydraulic wash

A method of ore concentration using water to separate high-gravity ores from gangue.

Silver glance

Also known as Argentite, it is a mineral from which silver is extracted.

Copper pyrite

A major ore of copper, containing copper and iron sulfide.

Bauxite

The primary ore of aluminum, consisting mainly of aluminum oxide.

Galena

A major ore of lead, known for its high density and lead content.

Hematite

An iron oxide mineral (Fe2O3) that is a primary source of iron.

Zinc blende

The main ore of zinc, often found in association with other minerals.

Alumina

Aluminum oxide, used as the starting material for aluminum extraction.

Copper matte

A mixture of copper sulphides formed during copper extraction.

Electrode potential

The ability of an electrode to drive a reduction reaction during electrochemical processes.

Thermodynamic feasibility

The likelihood of a chemical reaction occurring based on Gibbs free energy changes.

Electrowinning

A process of obtaining metals from their ores using electrolysis.