On July 19, metallurgical industry workers celebrate their professional holiday.
Every year on the third Sunday of July Russia celebrates Metallurgist's Day. It is a holiday for everyone involved in ore extraction, metal smelting and the production of metal products. Metallurgy is one of the most important industries, providing a solid foundation for the development of mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, energy, aviation and other key sectors of the economy.
Interesting facts:
- Ores that contain only a single metal are rare in nature. For example, copper ore often contains nickel, zinc, chromium and other elements in addition to copper.
- Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature.
- Titanium is a lightweight and strong metal; it is non-magnetic and resistant to acids and seawater. In dentistry, titanium is used to make artificial teeth and implants — the material is valued for its biocompatibility and high strength. Titanium dioxide (titanium white) is a white pigment added to paints, cosmetics, plastics and toothpastes, and is also used in the production of ceramics, optical glass and sunscreens.
- The earliest copper artifacts date back to the 9th millennium BCE. The name of the metal is linked to the island of Cyprus — the Romans called copper 'cuprum' (Cuprum), because copper metallurgy flourished there. The word 'copper', according to one theory, originated from the name of the country Media in Western Asia.
- The 'shape memory' effect is one of the most astonishing phenomena in materials science. Some alloys (for example, nitinol — a nickel-titanium alloy) can be deformed but fully recover their original shape when heated. This property was first observed in 1932 in gold–cadmium alloys, and is now used in medicine, aviation and robotics.
We wholeheartedly congratulate all employees of the metallurgical industry on their professional holiday! We wish you good health, happiness, family well-being and safe working conditions. May your work always yield worthy results, and may solid steel and your craftsmanship remain a reliable support for the entire country!