Forging is an ancient art and can be divided into cold and hot forging. While hot forging has existed for centuries, cold forging began during the industrial revolution. Though the techniques are different, they have the same end product. Forging involves using special equipment in deforming metals into desired shapes through cold, warm, or hot forging processes. Hot forging can be categorized into sub-classes, including impression die forging and precision hot forging. During precision hot forging, the manufacturer produces high-performance products. The process is advantageous due to its material efficacy and remarkable material properties.
What is Hot Forging?
Hot forging occurs when a forger superheats a metal piece beyond its crystallization point. The average crystallization temperature depends on the type of metal you are working with. The manufacturer needs to maintain the required temperature above the recrystallization temperature.
Recrystallization may make the metal unworkable since it forms microscopic crystals that warp during reheating and cause the metal to strain harden. The hot forging process can be influenced by environmental factors leading to oxidation. That is why experts perform the process in an environmentally controlled chamber. Hot forged parts have high strength because the process changes the form and strength of the metal’s grains.
What To Look At When Choosing Hot Forging
Since hot forging produces high-precision parts with complex shapes, forgers utilize it to manufacture various products. When purchasing forged parts, there are several forging methods you can choose. If you are looking to buy hot-forged components, you need to look at a number of factors. Read below to identify the things to know when selecting hot forging.
1. Consider Your Requirements
One of the critical elements in deciding is your needs. You need to define the kind of hot forging components you want and know the ideal properties you want from the products. Getting these details right will enable you to choose wisely.
2. Number of Parts
It is necessary to take into account the volume of hot forged parts you want. The production rate of hot forging processes differs. Therefore, knowing the number of products you need will enable you to identify the hot forging setup that will meet your needs. If you want high-volume production, you should find a system that will be ideal for your volume requirements.
3. Choice of the Manufacturer
Another important consideration when selecting a hot forging process is the manufacturer. The market is full of manufacturers, making it hard for you to choose a top-notch specialist. If you are not cautious enough, you might hire the wrong manufacturer. So, you need to consider several factors when choosing a manufacturer, including their experience and the quality of their company. Ensure you find someone who has been producing the components you need for many years.
4. Metal
It would help to find a metal with a high formability ratio since not all metals can be hot forged. To avoid poor quality forging, you need to know whether the materials you want to forge are ideal for hot forging.
Conclusion
Manufactures choose between cold and hot forging processes depending on the function of the desired part, volume needs, industry needs, and costs. When choosing hot forging, one needs to consider their preferences, manufacturer, and metal to be forged.
