GATE 2025 Metallurgy Subject-Wise Weightage, Best Books

Engineering Mathematics - Section 1

Calculus

Maxima and minima, Limit, Continuity, and Differentiability, Partial derivatives, Sequences and series, Test for convergence, Fourier series

Linear Algebra

Systems of linear equations, Matrices and Determinants, Eigen values and Eigen vectors

Differential Equations

Higher order linear ODEs with constant coefficients, Linear and non-linear first order ODEs, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, one-dimensional heat and wave equations, Laplace transforms, PDEs – Laplace

Numerical Methods

Integration by trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule, Solutions of linear and non-linear (Bisection, Secant, Newton-Raphson methods) algebraic equations, Single and multi-step methods for differential equations

Vector Calculus

Gradient; Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems, Divergence and Curl, Line, Surface, and volume integrals

Probability and Statistics

Mean, median, mode and standard deviation, Analysis of experimental data, linear least squares method, Definitions of probability and sampling theorems, Conditional probability, Random variables, Poisson, normal and binomial distributions

Metallurgical Thermodynamics - Section 2

Electrochemistry

Electrochemical cells, Single electrode potential, Nernst equation, Potential-pH diagrams

Laws of thermodynamics

Enthalpy, Gibbs and Helmholtz free energy, Maxwell’s relations, Chemical potential, First law – energy conservation, Second law – entropy, Gibbs phase rule, Phase equilibria, Binary phase diagram and lever rule, Free-energy vs. composition diagrams, Applications to metallurgical systems, solutions, ideal and regular solutions, Equilibrium constant, Activity, Ellingham and phase stability diagrams, Thermodynamics of point defects, surfaces and interfaces, adsorption and segregation phenomena

Transport Phenomena and Rate Processes - Section 3

Heat Transfer

Fourier’s Law, 1-D steady state conduction

Momentum Transfer

Mechanical energy balance equation, Concept of viscosity, Shell balances, Bernoulli’s equation, Flow past plane surfaces and through pipes

Convection

Heat transfer coefficient relations for forced convection

Mass Transfer

Mass transfer coefficients, Diffusion and Fick’s laws

Radiation

Black body radiation, Kirchhoff’s Law, Stefan-Boltzmann Law

Dimensional Analysis

Significance of dimensionless numbers, Buckingham Pi theorem

Electrochemical Kinetics

Polarization

Basic Laws of Chemical Kinetics

Reaction rate constant, Arrhenius relation, First order reactions, Heterogeneous reactions, Oxidation kinetics

Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy - Section 4

Material and Energy Balances

Material and energy balances in metallurgical processes

Extraction of Non-ferrous Metals

Principles and processes for the extraction of aluminium, copper, and titanium

Comminution Techniques

Gravity and other methods of mineral beneficiation, Size classification, Flotation, Agglomeration: sintering, pelletizing, and briquetting

Iron and Steel Making

Structure and properties of slags and molten salts, Basicity of slags, Sulphide and phosphate capacity of slags, Material and heat balance in blast furnace, Production of metallurgical coke

Primary Steelmaking

Process dynamics, Basic oxygen furnace, Oxidation reactions, Electric arc furnace

Other Methods of Iron Making

COREX, MIDRE

Continuous Casting

Fluid flow in the tundish and mold, Heat transfer in the mold, Segregation, Inclusion control

Secondary Steel Making

Argon stirring, Ladle process – deoxidation, desulphurization, Principles of degassing methods, Inclusion shape control, Basics of stainless steel manufacturing

Physical Metallurgy - Section 5

X-ray Diffraction

Optical metallography, Principles of SEM imaging, Bragg’s law

Chemical Bonding

Ionic, covalent, metallic, and secondary bonding in materials, Crystal structure of solids – metals and alloys, Ionic and covalent solids, and polymers

Crystal Imperfections

Coherent, semi-coherent and incoherent interfaces, Point, line and surface defects

Phase Transformation

Driving force, Homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation, Growth kinetics

Diffusion in Solids

Diffusion equation, Steady state and error function solutions, Examples – homogenization and carburization, Kirkendall effect, Uphill diffusion, Atomic models for interstitial and substitutional diffusion, Pipe diffusion and grain boundary diffusion

Solidification

Isomorphous, eutectic, and peritectic systems, Cast structures and macrosegregation, Dendritic solidification and constitutional supercooling, Coring, Macrosegregation

Heat Treatment of Steels

Principles of heat treatment, Recovery, Recrystallization and grain growth, TTT and CCT diagrams, Surface hardening treatments, Heat treatment of cast iron and aluminium alloys

Solid State Transformations

Precipitate coarsening, Gibbs-Thomson effect, Precipitation, Spinodal decomposition, Ordering, Massive transformation, Discontinuous precipitation, Eutectoid transformation, Diffusionless transformations

Properties of Materials

Electronic, magnetic and optical properties

Corrosion

Basic forms of corrosion and its prevention

Mechanical Metallurgy - Section 6

Dislocation Theory

Edge, screw and mixed dislocations, Source and multiplication of dislocations, Stress fields around dislocations, Partial dislocations, Dislocation interactions and reactions

Strain and Stress Tensor

Representation by Mohr’s circle, Elasticity, Stiffness and compliance tensor, Yield criteria, Plastic deformation by slip and twinning

Strengthening Mechanisms

Work/strain hardening, Strengthening due to grain boundaries, Solid solution, Precipitation and dispersion

Fatigue

Cyclic stress-strain behavior – low and high cycle fatigue, Crack growth

Fracture Behavior

Fracture toughness, Griffith theory, Linear elastic fracture mechanics, Fractography, Ductile to brittle transition

High-temperature Deformation

Creep and stress rupture, Stress exponent and activation energy

Manufacturing Processes - Section 7

Hot, Warm and Cold Working of Metals

Fundamentals of metal forming processes of rolling, forging, extrusion, wire drawing and sheet metal forming, Defects in forming

Metal Casting

Mould design involving feeding, gating and rising, Casting practices, Casting defects

Metal Joining

Principles of soldering, brazing and welding, Welding metallurgy, Defects in welded joints in steels and aluminium alloys

Non-destructive Testing (NDT)

Dye-penetrant, Ultrasonic, Radiography, Eddy current, Acoustic emission and magnetic particle inspection methods

Powder Metallurgy

Production of powders, Compaction and sintering

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Subject

Important Topics

Weightage (%)

Metallurgical Thermodynamics

• Electrochemistry
• Laws of Thermodynamic

10%

General Aptitude

• Sentence Correction
• Data Interpretation
• Critical Reasoning
• Verbal Reasoning
• Number System

15%

Engineering Mathematics

• Linear Algebra
• Calculus
• Probability & Statistics

15%

Physical Metallurgy

• Solid Diffusions
• Solid State Transformation
• Chemical Bonding

20%

Transport Phenomena and Rate Processes

• Convection, Heat Transfer
• Momentum Transfer
• Chemical Kinetics & Laws
• Mass Transfer

10%

Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy

• Iron & Steel Making
• Primary & Secondary Steel Making
• Continuous Casting

5%

Mechanical Metallurgy

• Fatigue
• Dislocation Theory

15%

Manufacturing Processes

• Metal Casting & Joining
• NDT

10%

Subject

Books 

Authors

Metallurgical Thermodynamics

Introduction to the Thermodynamics of Materials 

David R. Gaskell

Engineering Mathematics

Advanced Engineering Mathematics 

RK Jain, SRK Iyengar

Higher Engineering Mathematics 

B.S. Grewal

Physical Metallurgy

Physical Metallurgy 

Vijendra Singh

Transport Phenomena and Rate Processes

An Introduction to Transport Phenomena in Materials Engineering 

David Gaskell

Rate Processes in Metallurgy 

Mohanty A.K

Manufacturing Processes

Manufacturing Technology 

P.N. Rao

Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy

Ironmaking And Steelmaking 

Ahindra Ghosh and Amit Chatterjee

Wills' Mineral Processing Technology 

Barry A. Wills

Mechanical Metallurgy

Mechanical Metallurgy 

George E. Dieter