Plastic Working of Metals and Metal Structures
Plastic working of metals is a process that shapes metal by deforming it at a temperature above its recrystallization temperature. Plastic working is usually done in the form of stamping, extrusion, forging and rolling, which cause the metal to change its shape without changing its chemical composition. The process of plastic working can be used to produce a variety of objects with differing properties depending on the type of metal and the process used.
Plastics typically have low temperature working points below the recrystallization temperature of metals, requiring a different process for shaping metals. This is achieved through plastic or metal forming processes, which involve changing the shape of the material by means of a die or a forming tool. The most common plastic forming processes are rolling, Sheet metal forming and Extrusion. These processes alter the geometric shape of the workpiece with no difference in its material properties.
Metal forming processes involve applying an external force to deform the metal without changing its chemical composition. These processes are used to shape the metal into a desired product, and include: cold forming, warm forming, hot forming, and cold-upsetting. These processes can also be used to create complex structures with different material properties.
Extrusion is a process used to shape metals by pushing them through a die of a specific shape, while preserving their chemical composition. Extrusion is used to create round and other shapes with rounded corners without changing their chemical compositions. In addition to being used to shape metals, extrusion can also be used to shape plastic materials.
Forging involves hammering a workpiece under repeated compression and localized heating to shape a product with a desirable surface finish and strength. Common types of forging include roll forging, open-die forging, closed-die forging, and ring rolling. Forge-welding is also a type of shaping process used in metalworking to join two materials together.
Metal structures refer to building components or arrangements of components that utilize metal for support or stability. Common examples of metal structures are bridges, buildings, towers and ships. Metal structures can be designed for a variety of uses, such as supporting loads and transmitting forces, optimizing energy by controlling heat transfer, and providing a corrosion-resistant and adaptable exterior. In order to best utilize metal structures, they must be designed to be strong, lightweight, and able to withstand any environmental conditions they may face.
When it comes to designing metal structures, engineers must consider various factors. They must consider the size, shape and material of the structure, as well as any stresses it will experience in service. In addition, engineers must account for any dynamic or static conditions, climates and conditions that the structure may be exposed to over its lifetime. The strength of the structure must also be analyzed to ensure its safety and capability of supporting the intended load in the event of a disaster or other event.
The use of metal structures and plastic working of metals provides advantages over traditional wood and concrete construction. Metal structures are generally lighter and stronger than wood, concrete or masonry, making them a preferred choice for large, tall and heavy structures such as multi-story buildings, bridges, and ships. Also, metal structures can be fabricated or assembled quickly and economically and can be designed to provide simple or complex shapes depending on the desired final product. Furthermore, plastic working of metals can be used to create components of different sizes and shapes that fit the particular application in order to produce objects of desired shape and properties. In addition, metal structures and plastic working can be used to create objects with various material properties and characteristics, such as corrosion-resistance and heat transfer control, depending on the particular application.
In conclusion, plastic working of metals and metal structures have numerous advantages over traditional materials and methods of construction. Metal structures are generally lighter, stronger and more durable than traditional materials, while plastic working enables quick and cost-effective fabrication of objects of various sizes, shapes and properties. These advantages make metal and plastic working an integral part of modern construction and design.
