metallurgy

Metallurgy

The study and process of extracting metals from their ores and understanding their properties.

Minerals

Natural materials in which metals occur in the form of compounds, found primarily in the Earth's crust.

Ores

Minerals from which metals can be economically extracted.

Roasting

A process to concentrate ores in the presence of air, facilitating reactions that yield metal oxides.

Reduction Processes

Methods, such as electrolysis, used for extracting metals from their oxides.

Electrolytic Refining

A purification method where impure metal is used as an anode and pure metal is deposited at the cathode.

Hall-Heroult Process

An electrolytic method for extracting aluminum from its ore using molten alumina.

Alloys

Homogeneous mixtures of two or more metals, significant for their practical applications.

Froth Flotation

A separation process where sulfides float while impurities settle, allowing for the extraction of valuable metals.

Hydrolytic Method

A separation technique that uses water to remove impurities from minerals.