Materials Engineer Career Description
Materials engineers study the properties of materials such as pure metals and alloys, ceramics, polymers, rubbers and glass. They also study the relationship between these properties and the structure of materials.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Materials engineers and metallurgical engineers to assist the process of converting our minerals into products with a higher value. For example, we can earn far more revenue by selling all of our chromium
in the for of stainless steel sinks, cutlery
and cooking ware, than we earn by selling it
as chromate ore. We need more materials engineers to help us develop and manufacture different material products that will compete with those of other industrialized nations.
Materials engineers can work in a number of environments. They may be involved directly in production, such as in a big steel works, where they are responsible for running a particular furnace or rolling mill. They may also find themselves in a quieter environment, such as a quality-control laboratory. Other materials engineers or metallurgical engineers may choose to work in a trouble-shooting laboratory, where they try to establish what went wrong with a particular product. Many people enjoy applied research aimed at finding ways of improving a process or product.
Typical examples of the work of the materials engineers or metallurgical engineers are the following:
» Mining and processing of minerals
» Extraction of certain elements or compounds from minerals.
» Development of processed primary materials like metals, alloys, crystals, semiconductors, ceramics, glass, plastics and composite materials.
» Selection and development of materials in engineering structures and systems such as bridges, cars, aeroplanes, computers, buildings and many more.
» Disposal of useless materials when they have reached the end of their useful life.
» Management of matures and metallurgical processing plants.
» Marketing of materials.
Because there are so many different career opportunities for materials engineers, there are also many types of working conditions.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Materials engineers should be of above
average intelligence, be able to conceptualize abstract ideas and should have a keen interest in the field of science. They should be practically and analytically inclined.
Where can I work?
Materials and metallurgical engineers are a specialized group of people needed in all countries of the world. Employers include the manufacturers of microprocessors and computers, electronic equipment, plastics, ceramic, steel, glass and other products.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
After a few years of practical experience materials scientists and -engineers can establish their own company or business. Several opportunities exist for industrial consulting, especially in speciality fields such as welding, casting, corrosion and failure analysis.
|
