Forging Process
Forging is the process of plastically deforming a material while in a solid state. The application of force causes significant redistribution of the mass into a more useful configuration while enhancing the metallurgical properties. Impression die forgings are generally produced by pressing or hammering materials between dies into which cavities have been machined. Open die and ring roll forgings also utilize tooling to allow shapes nearer to the net result, but all forging involves solid material flow under pressure. Before forging materials, there are some strengths and weaknesses to consider.
Forging Considerations
Advantages of Forging
? Forging refines and redirects anisotropic grain flow, conforming the inherent raw material flow lines to the shape of the part, providing tensile strength.
? Forging drives dynamic recrystallization in the microstructure, enhancing fatigue properties and impact toughness.
? Forged metal products have more consistent microstructure, providing reliable machinability.
? Machining hours are cut down saving time and money.
? The forging process generally works for most metals including ferrous and non-ferrous.
? Forging results in more efficient inspections and manufacturing
? Forged products contain no gas pockets, voids, or shrink defects that can lead to product failure.
? “Wrought Properties”, the standard other processes seek to achieve, are the properties achieved by forging.
? The mechanical properties are is improved with forging.
? Porosity is eliminated by forging.
Forging Weaknesses
? While net and near-net forging processes are possible in some materials and for some configurations, forging is limited to geometry of forming between tools and dies. Complex configurations with internal cavities and voids either cannot be produced/forged or will require subsequent machining.
? Size limitations on different types of products may occur due to the equipment size and capacity.
? Raw materials are generally limited to those commercially available alloys that can be obtained from raw material producers in ingot, billet or bar form as input to the forging process.
Casting Process
Casting is a process in which a material in liquid form is poured, injected under pressure, or drawn by vacuum into a mold. With molten metals, after the mold is filled the casting must cool and solidify. The casting is then removed from the mold. In the case of hard molds, such as in sand, shell, or investment processes used to cast metals, the mold is used once and must be broken to release the casting. In the case of permanent mold castings, such as die casting, the dies containing the casting are separated to free the casting, then cleaned and prepared for the next casting to be made.
Casting Considerations
Advantages of Casting
? Large design freedom to create complex configurations.
? Some casting processes provide close tolerance, net shaping.
? Casting provides the option of using cores or inserts which allows internal cavities and voids
? Alloy design/selection may be larger.
? When the finished component is used only in static compression suffer few metallurgical weaknesses.
? Lower cost tooling for small volume production
? The casting process can be applied to a large variety of materials.
Casting Weaknesses
? With material in liquid form, inclusions of foreign matter from the environment or the mold may become part of the casting.
? Voids and defects may appear in the microstructure due to entrapped gasses.
? As metal cools from liquid to solid, shrink defects and residual stresses that weaken the finished component may result.
? Residual stresses and variations in microstructure can create problems in subsequent machining and heat treating.
ABOUT KEVA
Keva Casting is a professional casting company that focuses on Construction, Machinery, Automobile, Hardware, Pipeline and many other industries.
We provide top quality products with the best service based on our complete production chain including our own mold design, advanced production techniques, and full management of the supply chain. Keva Casting has two factories located in Zhucheng, China's Shandong province.
We use "shell molding", which is a new technique that has been developed in recent years.This new technique has simplified production procedures and reduced air pollution compared with traditional sand casting and investment casting. Shell making and core making are faster to ensure production in enormous quantities. The dimensions and surface finishing are satisfactory for all kinds of industrial requirements. Besides supplying our own formwork & scaffolding systems, our casting products also supply OEM services in various industries.