Metallurgical Technician

Geological and mineral technologists and technicians provide technical support and services or may work independently in the fields of oil and gas exploration and production, geophysics, petroleum engineering, geology, mining and mining engineering, mineralogy, extractive and physical metallurgy, metallurgical engineering and environmental protection. They are employed by petroleum and mining companies, consulting geology and engineering firms, and by governments and educational institutions as well as by a variety of manufacturing, construction and utilities companies.

Typical Duties:

• Operates metallurgical laboratory equipment;
• Interprets microstructures of ferrous and nonferrous materials;
• Records test data and measurements such as pH levels, chemical composition values and weights;
• Employs Magnetic Particle Inspection technologies;
• Prepares metallurgical samples;
• Measures micro and macro hardness characteristics of materials;
• Compares production test data in a manufacturing or mineral treatment facility with quality control test values;
• Decides on the methodologies to be employed in preparing samples for analysis;
• Recommends adjustments to mineral collection  procedures and processing operations.

Educational Requirements:

Two-year college program in metallurgy or materials science