Metallurgy typical steps

Metals are very important for structural applications, electrical wires, cooking utensils, tools, decorative items, and many other purposes. However, because the main chemical characteristic of a metal is its ability to give up electrons, almost all metals in nature are found in ores, combined with nonmetals such as oxygen, sulfur, and the halogens. To recover and use these metals, we must separate them from their ores and reduce the metal ions. Then, because most metals are unsuitable for use in the pure state, we must form alloys that have the desired properties. The process of separating a metal from its ore and preparing it for use is known as metallurgy. The steps in this process are typically... 

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