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A Comprehensive look at the Different Steel Forging Processes

Steel has revolutionized various aspects of how we make things ranging from automobiles to huge planes and ships. The process of converting steel to any usable format by the implementation of heat has made life very easy. Such that there are different forging processes associated with steel. All of which are enlisted below.

·    Drop forging.

Steel can be melted and made into any other shape or size. But still requires an immense amount of energy and time to convert the physical properties of steel to another format entirely. Thus, drop forging is the method in which steel is continuously brought under immense pressure to forge the product into the desired shape and size. It’s a process where a hammer is used to beat the steel into a particular shape and size. But this is one a more massive scale utilizing heavy-duty machinery. The average force that these machines exert on the steel is close to 50,000 pounds.

·    Heat.

Heat forging is the most common type of forging carried out in the forging industry. Based on the result, vast piles of scrap steel and other metals are added to an enormous furnace that is heated up to 3000 degrees such that there are forged into different metals based on requirements. Thus, the chemical composition of the metals is closely monitored to ensure that the end product comprises of the strength and rigidity. In its molten form, you can alter the physical and chemical properties of the metal to forge it into any shape and size.

·    Roll forging.

While forging a metal, several things are taken into consideration. Such as the physical properties, chemical composition of the metal and the outcome of the metal. In this forging, the metal is rolled into a round shape, and there are holes punched in the center. The process is repeated all over again for a particular amount of time such that it can develop rigidity and strength to bear high pressure and torque. A perfect example where these types of metals are used is in engine parts.

·    Heat treatment.

Often, while forging a metal, it is heated, reshaped and reheated again. Such that the crystals that make up the metal, destabilize and make smaller group formations. After the metal is treated with heat, then it’s given a water treatment where the metal reorganizes its crystal to become even stronger. Based on the time that the metal undergoes heat treatment, water treatment, and a resting phase, the outcome based on strength, durability, and rigidity can be determined. But nowadays, machines and scientific calculations have made it possible to decide on the result of each metal and obtain it in it any way possible.

Thus, the above-given processes are associated while forging steel. Based on the characteristics of steel and the durability required, steel can be forged using any of these methods. Alloy steel forging happens to be the hardest steel to forge because of the presence of different metals and adding rigidity to the overall material.

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Written by liamsmith

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