COURSE OVERVIEW

Physical Metallurgy is the branch of metallurgy that studies the relationships between the internal structure of metals & alloys and their macroscopic properties (e.g. strength, malleability, ductility, toughness, electrical conductivity, magnetic behaviour, etc.)

Studying Physical Metallurgy & Crystalline Structure is essential for understanding the properties and behaviour of metals and alloys, which are fundamental to industries like aerospace, power generation, automotive, construction and electronics. 

For example, it helps engineers and scientists develop stronger, more durable and more efficient materials by analysing phase transformations and microstructures.

This Physical Metallurgy training course is focussed on providing practical, work-place ready skills that employers and industry require, but that many academic programmes do not provide.

The course has been developed by academic & industry experts which ensures that the content is both academically rigorous and practically relevant. 

The course is ideal for candidates at all levels, including those new to Physical Metallurgy, as no specific qualification entry requirements are required. 

Candidates also receive a comprehensive, full-colour Training Handbook that serves as both a course guide and a valuable reference tool after completion of the course.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Foundations of Metallurgy

The course begins by defining metallurgy, metals, and alloys, establishing the scientific basis for understanding metallic behaviour. It introduces atomic structure, metallic bonding, and the major crystal structures found in engineering metals, including cubic and hexagonal systems.

The text explains allotropic behaviour, the arrangement of crystals and grains, and how grain size affects mechanical properties. Methods for specifying grain size, including ASTM approaches, are introduced.

Deformation, Strengthening & Creep Mechanisms

A major section covers how metals deform through slip, twinning, dislocations and slip systems, supported by crystallographic tools such as Miller indices.

Work hardening; Cold working; Annealing & grain growth; Crystallographic texture development; Stacking faults & Annealing twins are also explained.

The course also explains creep mechanisms—dislocation creep, vacancy‑assisted creep and diffusion creep—highlighting their importance in high‑temperature applications.

Phases, Phase Transformations & Phase Diagrams

This section introduces the definition of a phase, how phases are identified through microstructural examination, and the role of solid solutions, intermediate phases and embrittlement mechanisms.

Phase diagrams are covered in depth, including:

• Fe–C binary phase diagram

• Liquidus & solidus temperatures

• Key phase transformations in Fe–C alloys

• Ternary phase diagrams

• Limitations of phase diagrams

Critical transformations such as the martensite transformation, quenching & tempering and precipitation hardening are explained, along with TTT and CCT diagrams for predicting microstructure in steel under different cooling conditions.

Microstructural Examination Techniques

The course concludes with practical tools for analysing metals and alloys:

• Metallography (microstructural and macrostructural examination)

• Electron microscopy for high‑resolution imaging and phase identification

These techniques underpin quality control, failure analysis and alloy development.

BENEFITS OF OUR TRAINING

1. Career Advancement: The training is designed to enhance candidates' career prospects by increasing their technical knowledge, skills, and understanding. 

2. No Prior Knowledge Required: The course is suitable for candidates at all levels, including those new to Metallurgy, as no specific qualification entry requirements are needed. The course material is clear & easy to follow with reference to helpful U-Tube videos.

3. Industry-Relevant: Developed by academic & industry experts ensures that the content is both academically rigorous and practically relevant. 

4. Accredited Certifications: Our courses have accreditation from highly experienced, professionally accredited Chartered Engineers (CEng), Materials Engineers, Metallurgists (MIMMM) & Welding Technologists (MWeldI), with decades of industry experience working for leading engineering companies such as British Steel, Sheffield Forgemasters & Corus. 

5. Proven Success: Our training has empowered professionals from leading organisations & professional bodies including Arcelor Mittal, Bourne Steel, J & D Pierce Contracts Ltd, UKRI - Science & Technologies Facilities Council, TAQA Bratani, Moog Aircraft Group, Millar Callaghan Engineering Services Ltd, Murphy Group, Professional Lifting Services Ltd, Mclaren Automotive, Mueller Europe, WQiC, Harold Newsome Ltd, William Haley Engineering Ltd, RWE Generation UK PLC, TEi Ltd, The Institute of Cast Metal Engineers (ICME), Sulzer and The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC.)

6. Excellent Feedback: Our courses have received excellent feedback from candidates who have completed them, highlighting their effectiveness in developing knowledge, skills and understanding. To review their comments, please follow the link.

FLEXIBLE SELF STUDY COURSE FOR CANDIDATES

Start & learn when it suits you — flexible learning for job‑ready Metallurgy knowledge & skills!

With our flexible, self study courses, candidates can start and progress through the training at anytime, anywhere & at their own pace. No need to wait for course dates for classroom-based or online training courses and no need to pay travelling expenses & to spend time away paying for hotels & other living expenses. 

Total estimated Self Study time required to complete the course is 15 Hours. 

All course materials would be posted & e-mailed to the candidate. 

Candidates also receive a comprehensive, full-colour Training Handbook that serves as both a course guide and a valuable reference tool after completion of the course. 

Candidates also have the support of a Course Tutor as they progress through the course.

Candidates are assessed on the course by continuous assessment.

Course Fees: £750 per person inclusive of a full-colour Training Handbook & all Assessment & Certification fees.

To make a booking, please follow the link to download & complete a booking form. 

COURSE PACKAGE FOR TRAINING PROVIDERS

Are you a training provider looking to grow your technical training course offerings quickly, professionally and with proven industry impact? 

If so, we offer for purchase this course package, which forms part of our extensive range of course packages, which include all the course materials required to enable training providers, further & higher educational institutions and employers, deliver industry-leading technical training courses. 

Course materials you will receive for this course package: 

1. Course Presentation: (in Microsoft PowerPoint format.) The presentation also provides the basis for producing a Training Handbook for the course.

2. Covers & Contents: For use when producing a Training Handbook.

3. Course Assessments & Model Answers. Including a marking scheme.

All course materials are written in English and are supplied in ‘Microsoft PowerPoint', 'Microsoft Word' or ‘Adobe Acrobat pdf' format. 

All course materials would be supplied without any branding and are editable to enable you to apply your own company name / logos / branding.

Total estimated time to deliver the training 15 hours.

For a quotation to purchase the course package, please Contact Us.