Unit 1
Welcome to the course
The name of this course is: Translations in metallurgy and mechanical engineering. The language of metallurgy and mechanical engineering is full of technical terms and unless you have worked in those fields, no previous experience could have prepared you for what is awaiting you in the following chapters. But please do not be discouraged by this fact, for this course is a very practical one. The aim is for the participant to understand the technology of steel making and its applications in mechanical engineering. Upon completing this course, you might find metallurgy and mechanical engineering interesting, fun, and worthy of further exploring. The knowledge gained in this course may enable you to immediately start translating for steel manufacturers, service centers or engineering companies.
How this course is organized
The course is organized in twelve units. Unit one is introductory. The following units (two to eleven) have a theoretical part devoted to understanding the metallurgical processes and mechanical engineering applications complemented throughout with practical exercises reflecting the discussed issues. At the end of units one through eleven, you will find points to remember and a glossary. The final unit (twelve) is a project. You will be asked to produce a translation of a technical text pertaining to metallurgy and mechanical engineering based upon which your overall performance will be evaluated and your final grade given.
Examples of exercises:
1st type:
Note: Some deviations between the technical terms selected by the student and the suggested answers are OK. Do not get discouraged by the empty fields in the answer key. It is just a technical constraint. After you are finished with your work, click on the button below the answer key and compare your choice with the suggestions.
Please select technical terms from the text below and translate them:
Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties describe how steel grades behave when subjected to a mechanical load. They are listed in all specifications. The mechanical properties are strongly affected by the chemical composition and the microstructure.
Mechanical properties change with temperature and environmental conditions. Consequently, the conditions during the test must always be mentioned when reporting mechanical properties. The most important mechanical properties are: yield point, tensile strength, elongation, hardness, toughness, fatigue, etc.
2nd type:
Note regarding cloze tests: The empty fields turn red once you start writing into them. Do not get discouraged by this, for upon entering the missing words correctly, the fields turn green.

There are two main processes for producing steel: by means of a (indirect reduction) in combination with a converter, or by means of an furnace. In the former process, iron ore is the main material. In an furnace, iron is used and occasionally also iron. by means of direct reduction (DRI or directly reduced iron) and then further reduced and in an furnace.
3rd type:
Translate the following into Czech:
Note regarding longer translations: As long as the terminology is preserved, various differences in translation may not necessarily be incorrect.
Please do not get discouraged by the many empty fields in the answer key. It is just a technical constraint. After you are finished with your translation, click on the button below the answer key and compare the suggested translation with your work.
Shipbuilding
The shipbuilding market consumes significant amounts of steel plates. Shipyards use plate steel for production of bulk carriers, barges and container and cruise ships. In the United States, most steel made for ship construction is specified by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
4th type:
Use Internet for the following task:
Find a testing laboratory in the Czech Republic, where you can have any steel properties examined.
5th type:
Translate into Czech:
Hydrogen
Hydrochloric acid
Sulphuric acid
6th type:
What is a “coking plant”? What is produced there and what are the byproducts? (use both Czech and English terminology)
Terminology
As already stated, it is always important to preserve the terminology. Yet sometimes, even the terminology varies depending on the region.
To illustrate the point, let's look at some steel defects:
Czech terminology | American terminology | South African terminology | ArcelorMittal's terminology |
Hrubé šupy | Open sliver | Skin lamination | Wide sliver |
Jemné šupy | Tight sliver | Skin lamination | Fine sliver |
Otisk válečků | Bruise | Pincher imprint | Pinching |
Přeložka | Lamination | Scab | Lap |
Puchýře | Pencil pipe | Skin lamination | Blister |
Rozptýlené okuje | Scale streaks | Scattered scale | Line scale |
Vyštípnutý válec | Spall mark | Spall mark | Roll flaking |
Zápal | Burning dross | Slug mark | CC burr |
Zátlak | Sticker mark | Roll mark | Imprint |

- The name of this course is: Translations in metallurgy and mechanical engineering.
- The course is organized in twelve units: 1: introductory, 2-6 theory and exercises, 12: project
- Points to remember and a glossary at the end of units 1-11
- Various types of practical exercises
- It is important to preserve the terminology, even though it may vary depending on the region.
English |
Czech |
Blast furnace |
Vysoká pec |
Elongation |
Prodloužení |
Glossary |
Slovníček |
Iron ore |
Železná ruda |
Matallurgy |
Matalurgie (hutnictví) |
Mechanical engineering |
Strojírenství |
Mechanical properties |
Mechanické vlastnosti |
Scrap iron |
Šrot (odpadní železo) |
Shipyard |
Loděnice |
Smelting |
Tavení |
Sponge iron |
Houbovité železo |
Tensile strength |
Pevnost v tahu |
Yield point |
Mez kluzu (průtažnosti) |
Sources:
Coigne, P., Construction Market, ArcelorMittal Brussels, ArcelorMittal University - Understanding Steel, 2009
Fousse, D.,Packaging, ArcelorMittal R&D Mezieres, ArcelorMittal University - Understanding Steel, 2009
Meseure, K., Product range - Flat carbon steel for industry, ArcelorMittal R&D Gent, ArcelorMittal University - Understanding Steel, 2009
Meseure, K., Steel Making, ArcelorMittal R&D Gent, ArcelorMittal University - Understanding Steel, 2009
Meseure, K., Steel properties, ArcelorMittal R&D Gent, ArcelorMittal University - Understanding Steel, 2008
Velzeboer, M., Mining, ArcelorMittal University - Understanding Steel, 2009
PC Translator. CD-ROM. Korytná:LangSoft & SOFTEX Software, 2007