Process and Categories of Steel Forging

The forging process produces stronger pieces than any other metalworking method. Utilizing the metal's inherent grain flow, steel forgings modify the grain flow to follow the contours of each part's specific geometry. When cutting through the grain with machining or when casting pieces, this grain flow contouring is lost.  

In contrast to a welded unit, forging gives a single component because it can be challenging to duplicate the weld quality without further examination. Since forgings can be almost any shape, several components don't need to be joined together.    

How Steel Forgings Are Made

How Is Steel Forging Performed?  

Steel becomes malleable and ductile at forging temperature, allowing manufacturers to pressurize it into any desired shape. Due to the plasticity of steel, especially when properly processed, steel forging enables a billet of steel to be permanently formed without cracking.  

To heat the steel to a suitable temperature for forging, a forge furnace, forge oven, or induction heating system is required. The heat cycle and the deformation process result in metallic recrystallization and grain refining.  

Likewise, the forged steel product that results from this is strengthened, especially in impact toughness. As a bonus point, observing a massive block of steel being compressed and shaped is strangely enjoyable.  

What Are the Categories?    

• Cold Steel Forgings  

Due to the forming energy, the forging temperature self-heats to a maximum of 150 degrees Celsius. Low formability and large forming forces are the outcomes when this process is used.  

• Warm Steel Forgings  

The temperature during forging ranges from 750 to 950 degrees Celsius. Limited formability and more forming forces are needed compared to hot forging.  

• Hot Steel Forgings  

The forging temperature is higher than the recrystallization temperature. It is between 950 and 1250 degrees Celsius. Moreover, this category produces good formability and calls for little power when being formed.  

Want to Know More About Steel Forgings?  

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