The Russian scientist in the field of metallurgy, metal science, heat treatment of metals. In 1866-68 as a result of practical studying of flaw reasons at manufacturing forged pieces and also the deep analysis of his predecessors' works Anosov P.P., Obukhov P.M. and Lavrov A.S. concerning melting, casting and forging steel ingots. Chernov D. K. has established the dependence of structure and properties of steel on its hot mechanical and heat treatment. Chernov D. has opened critical temperatures, at which phase transformations occur in steel as a result of heating or cooling in solid state . These critical temperatures, defined by Chernov by colors of steel heating, were named Chernov' s points. Chernov D. K. represented graphically influence of carbon on position of critical points, having created the first sketch of outline of equilibrium diagram "ferrum-carbon". Results of his research which had begun the modern metallography, Chernov D.K. published in «Notes of Russian engineering society» (1868, №7), having named it «Critical review of Lavrov' s and Kalakutskiy' s articles about steel and steel instruments and own Chernov's research in the same subject».

Chernov D. K. teaches at Mikhaylovsk artillery academy (1890)

In another scientific paper «Research concerning the structure of cast steel pigs» (1879) Chernov D. K. stated a theory of steel ingot crystallization. He investigated the process of crystals origin and growth in details (in particular, dendrite steel crystals, which are called sometimes Chernov's crystals). He gave a scheme of structural zones of ingot, developed a theory of consequent crystallization, studied defects of cast steel thoroughly and specified how to avoid them. These research of Chernov in many respects promoted transformation of metallurgy from craft in theoretically proved scientific discipline.

Chernov's papers in the field of metallurgy intensification, processes and perfection of manufacture technology were of great value for progress of metallurgy of steel. Chernov D. K. put forward the idea of mixing metal during crystallization, having offered for this purpose a rotating iron mold.