Forging is a metal forming method that uses forging machinery to apply pressure to a metal billet, causing plastic deformation to obtain forgings with specific mechanical properties, shapes, and dimensions. Forging eliminates defects such as casting porosity that occur during the smelting process, optimizes the microstructure, and preserves intact metal flow lines. Forgings generally have superior mechanical properties compared to castings of the same material.
Based on the workpiece temperature during forging, forging can be classified as: hot forging (above the recrystallization temperature), warm forging (from the recrystallization temperature to 30% of the recrystallization temperature), and cold forging (below 30% of the recrystallization temperature, generally at room temperature).
The most commonly used material in forging is alloy steel. The initial recrystallization temperature of steel is approximately 727℃, but 800℃ is generally used as the dividing line. Forging above 800℃ is hot forging; forging between 300 and 800℃ is called warm forging or semi-hot forging; and forging at room temperature is called cold forging. Forgings used in most industries are hot forgings. Warm forging and cold forging are mainly used for forging parts in automobiles and general machinery. Warm forging and cold forging can effectively save materials.
Die forging is further divided into open die forging and closed die forging. The metal billet is deformed under pressure within a forging die cavity of a certain shape to obtain the forging. Die forging is generally used for producing parts that are not heavy but produced in large batches. Die forging can be divided into hot die forging, warm forging, and cold forging. Closed die forging, due to the absence of flash, has a higher material utilization rate. Complex forgings can be finished in one or several processes. Furthermore, closed die forging produces forgings with a smaller stress area, requiring less load. It is important to note that closed die forging requires strict control of the billet volume, the relative position of the forging dies, and measurement of the forgings to minimize die wear.
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