Holistic Analysis on the Concept of Process Metallurgy and Its Application on the Modeling of the AOD Process

• Published in: Metallurgical and materials transactions. B, Process metallurgy and materials processing science Process metallurgy and materials processing science, 2010-08, Vol.41 (4), p.758-766
• Main Authors: Heikkinen, Eetu-Pekka, Fabritius, Timo, Riipi, Jaana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Annealing; Applied sciences; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Exact sciences and technology; Materials Science; Metallic Materials; Metallurgy; Metals. Metallurgy; Nanotechnology; Production of metals; Structural Materials; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films
• ISSN: 1073-5615; 1543-1916
• DOI: 10.1007/s11663-010-9368-2

The criteria for evaluating the applied fields of science often are based on practical justifications such as functionality and applicability instead of objectiveness or truthfulness, which typically are emphasized in the more theoretical fields of science. The use of practical justifications is understandable when considering the value of an applied field of science, but it should be noted that this kind of approach leaves out some aspects that should be covered while considering the nature and meaning of the fundamental concepts of a certain field. This article analyzes the concept of process metallurgy from different perspectives and proposes a model that helps show the characteristic features and connections of the different aspects of the process metallurgy. Conceptual analysis was used to evaluate research concerning the modeling of the argon oxygen decarburization process, and it was concluded that holistic analysis of the fundamental concepts has certain advantages also on a practical level; it helps to visualize the connections among research, education, and practical applications as well as the links among different areas of research or education. With the awareness of these connections, it is easier to plan, visualize, and evaluate the research and its goals, methods, results, extent, and need for competence and to perceive the relations among the different areas of research as well as among the different researchers and to evaluate the validity of the research.