Physical metallurgy connects the internal structure of metals and alloys to their properties and the processes used to change them. It studies crystal structures, crystal defects, phases and their transformations, including changes caused by deformation and heat treatment.
A controlled comparison heats samples of the same steel and cools them differently, then measures hardness and examines their microstructures. Differences in properties can then be related to phase formation and transformation history rather than to a change in overall chemical composition. This is why selecting an alloy and selecting its thermal/mechanical processing are coupled design decisions.[ref]
Properties of Heat Treated Steel by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Laboratory aims and comparison of heat treatments
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Physical metallurgy is a branch of metallurgy that focuses on understanding the physical and mechanical properties of metal materials and how these properties are influenced by their microstructure, composition, and processing methods. It combines principles from physics, materials science, and engineering to analyze how metals and alloys behave under various conditions. Key aspects of physical metallurgy include: 1. **Microstructure Analysis**: Examines the arrangement of atoms and phases within a metal or alloy.