How Modern Forging Uses Steel in Applications

Steel is one of the most important things that is used in everyday life. It can be found in a household, a business or a construction project. However, it is necessary to change basic steel into everyday use by giving it special treatment. This includes methods called forging, quenching, annealing and tempering.

Forging is the Earliest Way to Use Steel

Records of forging show it as one of the earliest types of treating steel. This was popular with the early blacksmith who used his anvil, hammer and water in his forging process.

Today’s forging includes the use of pressers or different types of air hammers, which are powered by either steam or electricity. The basics of forging remain the same today as in the day of the blacksmith.

Modern Forging Techniques

Modern methods involve placing stress on the steel. This stress changes the grain structure and makes the steel strong and tough. In contrast to the old days when this method was only used on knives and swords, today large shapes can be treated.

Modern methods include hot and cold forging as well as other processes. Temperatures affect the grain of a steel structure and its properties. Hot forging involves forging at a high crystallization temperature. Cold forging involves using a lower crystallization temperature.

Impact and Press Forging

Impact and press forging flanges are very popular. With impact forging, pressure is applied quickly and the steel reacts on contact. Press forging requires pressure to be slowly and constantly applied. Other methods of forging include impact, press, cogging, precision, swaging, impression-die, open-die, upsetting and automatic hot. Pressure forging is especially popular due to its low production cost.