Forging is a very old process that ancient civilisations use to make tools, weapons and other items. Today, forging is still use in the production of metal parts and tools,
but it also has many uses in other industries, such as medical devices, industrial machinery and sporting goods.
Forging is a process that involves shaping a metal piece by hammering it into the desire shape. It is one of the old metalworking techniques and can be do at room temperature or with heat tools.
Forging is often use to create new parts for machines and other mechanical devices, but it is also use for artistic purposes by sculptors.
Aluminium Forging
Aluminium forging differs from carbon steel because it does not require any kind of heat treatment process in order for it to retain its shape or strength after being formed. Instead, aluminium forging relies on cold working methods such as extrusion and rolling which can be done at room temperature or at slightly higher temperatures depending on what type of part you are creating with your aluminium sheet stock material.
Here are some considerations for aluminium forging:
- Aluminium can be forged at a lower temperature than steel, so it is easier to work with.
- It is not as strong as steel, but it has good ductility and malleability.
- It is easier to weld than steel or cast iron because of its low melting temperature (it melts at only 660 degrees Celsius).
- Cast aluminium alloys do not warp or distort during cooling and can be cool in air or water without cracking or warping.
- You can also make parts that are lighter than those made from steel or cast iron because aluminium is less dense than these two other materials.
Carbon Steel Forging
Carbon steel forging is use to create parts with high strength and exceptional durability. These qualities are achieve by controlling the amount of carbon in the metal and then heating it to about 1,200 degrees Celsius. This causes the metal to become very hard and strong. After this heating process, the metal must be cool down quickly in order to retain its new structure. Once cool down, this type of metal can withstand any kind of impact or pressure without bending or breaking.
Carbon steel is a type of steel that has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2% by weight. Carbon steel is break down into four groups based on their application:
Structural Steel – carbon steel that is used in construction and machinery
Stainless Steel – a specific type of alloy steel containing chromium, which prevents the surface from rusting. Stainless steel, also refer to as inox, is use for parts where the material needs to be corrosion resistant, such as kitchen appliances and medical equipment
Tool Steel – carbon steel that has been hardened through heat treatment, used for cutting tools and machine parts
Spring Steel – a type of high-carbon tool steel that is used for springs
Here are some considerations for carbon steel forging:
Heat treatment —A good hammering will help your carbon steel take a better shape and make it more durable. However, this process requires heat treatment which can be do by forging at high temperature or induction hardening.
Hardening method —Forging is not the same as tempering. To temper your steel, you need to bring it up to its maximum temperature, then cool it down slowly so that it becomes harder but less brittle than before.
With forging, however, you’ll need to increase the temperature of the metal while working on it so that it can become harder and more durable after being hammered into its final form.
Hammering tools —There are different types of hammers used in forging carbon steel depending on what kind of result you want from your project.
