Steel ingot hot forging technology
1, Introduction
Steel ingot hot forging technology is a technology in which the steel ingot is heated at a high temperature and then forged by a forging press. This method of hot forging can provide greater accuracy, strength and physical properties of a forged component than traditional cold forging. Because of the improved properties, hot forging has become popular in many industrial applications.
2, Principle
Hot forging is the process of heating a steel ingot and then forming it into a desired shape with a forging press. When heated, the internal crystalline structure of the steel ingot changes and becomes more malleable. This malleability allows it to be more easily manipulated by the forging press into a desired shape. Additionally, when the steel is hot, it can be formed into complex or intricate shapes that cant be formed when the steel is cold.
3, Advantages
The biggest advantage of hot forging is its improved precision and strength. Hot forged parts are not only able to withstand higher temperatures and pressures, but their accuracy is also much higher than their cold forged counterparts. This increased accuracy allows components to be made that have less tolerance and a more precise fit.
The second benefit of hot forging is that it can often reduce production time as well as the amount of waste generated. The process of heating the steel before forming it means that less machining is needed and fewer cutting tools need to be used, resulting in faster production times. Additionally, since fewer tools need to be used, less material is wasted compared to cold forging.
4, Disadvantages
One of the major drawbacks of hot forging is that it is more expensive than cold forging due to the tools, heating equipment, and the energy required to produce the parts. Additionally, since hot forging requires higher temperatures, there is also a greater risk of damaging the part or even the production equipment.
Furthermore, hot forging also generates more scrap that must then be recycled or disposed of properly. This additional scrap often outweighs the benefits of faster production times or reduced machining.
5, Conclusion
As can be seen, hot forging has many advantages over cold forging but also a few drawbacks. It is important for manufacturers to consider the advantages and disadvantages of hot forging before deciding which process to use for their components. In particular, manufacturers should take into account the increased cost, added risk, and increased scrap generated when deciding if hot forging is the right choice for their application.
