Metallurgy is a branch of science and at the same time considered a technique that includes a series of procedures with the objective of obtaining the useful mineral, among the main processes, the processing to obtain said metal, its melting, as well as Also shape it with molds, and finally make it harder or more malleable using different alloys. This activity was born in the South Caucasus, and it spread with great ease to the rest of the world, being the cities of Cyprus and Sardinia two of the main metallurgical centers, during the end of the Neolithic period. This word has its origin in the Greek “μεταλλουργός”. Another objective of metallurgy is the study of the production of alloys, the quality control of the processes used, among others.
According to experts, the first metal found was gold, and during the process involved in its search, various minerals were discovered, such as copper, from which this element was extracted. Later in various experiments it was discovered that using tin or antinomy in no more than 10% the metal was made harder. Through this technique, rings, bracelets, punches, daggers and axes were made. For its part, the first weapons made from metal were manufactured from copper. On the other hand, it was also discovered that, by fusing nine copper portions with one tin portion, the bronze was made, more malleable and hard, while if antinomy was added they could make it more flexible.
For its part, the metallurgy of iron was much more complicated, since it required extremely high temperatures. The metallurgy of this material, so that it can be melted and thus obtain steel, is known under the name of steel.
The metallurgical process is made up of several phases, in the first place the metal must be obtained, which is made from the mineral that possesses it in its natural state, after that it is separated from the gangue, the name given to the mixture of clay and silicates found in metal; from there it proceeds to its purification, it is where any type of residual impurity that may remain in the metal will be eliminated; the production of the alloys continues; and finally, as the case may be, metal treatments must be carried out which will depend on the product to be manufactured.
