This paper will compare hot forging process and cold forging process in forging production, and analyze their advantages and disadvantages, in order to provide the basis for selection in the production process. Hot forging and cold forging are two commonly used metal working processes, which have their own advantages in different application scenarios. Understanding and selecting these two processes is of great significance to improve forging quality, reduce cost and optimize production process.
Overview of hot and cold forging processes
Hot forging process: Hot forging process is the processing method of plastic deformation of metal billets at high temperatures. By heating the metal blank to the appropriate temperature, it is deformed within the die using pressure or impact force to obtain the desired shape and size of the forging.
Cold forging process: Cold forging process is a processing method for plastic deformation of metal billets at room temperature. In the process of cold forging, the metal billet is not heated, and the required shape is obtained directly through the extrusion and blanking of the die.
Comparison of hot forging process and cold forging process
Processing temperature: Hot forging process needs to be carried out at high temperatures, while cold forging process is carried out at room temperature. This allows the hot forging process to handle materials of higher strength and difficulty, while the cold forging process can maintain the original properties of the material at room temperature.
Deformation capacity: Because the metal blank in the hot forging process is heated, its plastic deformation capacity is enhanced, so hot forging can handle more complex shapes and deformation degrees. In contrast, the deformation ability of cold forging process is relatively poor, and it is more suitable for simple shapes and small deformation forgings.
Mechanical properties: After the hot forging process of the forging grain refinement, mechanical properties are improved. The mechanical properties of cold forging are relatively stable because the original structure of the material is retained.
Production costs: The hot forging process requires heating equipment and energy consumption, and there may be problems such as material oxidation during the heating process, so the production cost is relatively high. Cold forging process does not require heating, low energy consumption, and relatively low production costs.
When choosing between hot and cold forging processes, the following factors need to be considered:
Material properties: Select the appropriate process according to the material properties of the required forgings. If the material strength is high and the deformation is difficult, the hot forging process is more suitable.
Shape complexity: for forgings with complex shape and large deformation degree, hot forging process has advantages; For forgings with simple shapes, the cold forging process can be selected.
Mechanical properties requirements: If the mechanical properties of forgings are required to be improved, the hot forging process is more suitable. If you want to keep the original properties of the material stable, you can choose the cold forging process.
Production cost: under the premise of meeting the product quality and performance requirements, the production cost of the two processes should be considered comprehensively and the economical and reasonable process should be selected.
Hot forging process and cold forging process have their own advantages in forging production, the selection of suitable process needs to consider the material properties, shape complexity, mechanical properties requirements and production costs. In the actual production process, the hot forging process or cold forging process can be flexibly selected according to the specific needs and conditions, or the advantages of the two processes can be combined to achieve high quality, high efficiency and low cost forging production.
