light metal

metallurgy

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Metallurgy is the science and technology of metals. It involves extracting metals from their ores, refining them to remove impurities, and creating alloys with specific properties.1

Light metals are a category of metals and alloys characterized by their low density. Prominent examples include aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and beryllium. The development of efficient methods for extracting aluminum and magnesium on a large scale occurred in the late 19th century, primarily through electrolytic processes.23

The study of metallurgy has evolved from a craft to a scientific discipline within materials science. Advances in understanding the relationships between a metal's structure and its properties have been driven by improved microscopic techniques and a deeper grasp of atomic theory. This scientific approach allows for the tailoring of materials, such as aluminum alloys, to meet specific performance requirements, like reducing weight in vehicles for better fuel efficiency.45

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

7 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

metallurgy
Light metals
Another important development of the late 19th century was the separation from their ores, on a substantial scale, of aluminum and magnesium. In the earlier part of the century, several scientists had made small quantities of these light metals, but the most successful…
Read More
Another important development of the late 19th century was the separation from their ores, on a substantial scale, of aluminum and magnesium. In the earlier part of the century, several scientists had made small quantities of these light metals, but the most successful…
Read More