sales@dropforging.netAluminum Hot Forging
Of all ordinary metals, aluminum is the lightest in weight. At the same time, it possesses considerable strength. Under some circumstances, aluminum alloys may even rival steel’s strength, while remaining three times lighter than steel.
There are many different aluminum alloys available on the market today. The alloys display versatility in their mechanical properties and use. In general, aluminum alloys demonstrate high electrical and thermal conductivity. They provide excellent corrosion resistance and are suitable for surface treatments that further enhance their qualities.
One of aluminum’s most important qualities is the fact that it can be recycled almost indefinitely without losing its innate qualities. Lightweight, non-ferrous and quite affordable, aluminum alloys represent a popular choice well-suited to various forging techniques and applications. Some frequently used alloys contain copper, silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper or zinc, which make up to 15% of the alloy by weight.
Hot forging aluminum and aluminum alloys holds many benefits for applications. The process does not impede the ability of manufacturers to manipulate and cut aluminum products easily. Therefore, forged aluminum alloys can be cut into distinctly complex or ornate shapes.
When hot forged, aluminum alloys demonstrate some mechanical qualities comparable with steel, and the strength to weight ratio of aluminum exceeds that of steel. In addition, aluminum hot forging can produce a number of surface finishes, ranging from very smooth to relatively sharp, which is quite different from aluminum cold forging.
Aluminum hot forgings are generally cost-effective and attractive in their appearance. They allow for high design flexibility and in many cases, the exterior part of hot forged aluminum does not require extensive polishing.
For all these reasons, numerous industries make use of aluminum forgings. The process especially attracts manufacturers seeking to produce large, customized components using aluminum or its alloys.
Cooling
Cooling should be performed with an extreme care due to the risk of warpage.
Tolerances
Another important thing to consider when choosing aluminum hot forging is the less precise dimensional tolerance compared to aluminum cold forging.
Flash
Aluminum hot forgings can be divided into forgings with and without flash. These with flash possess complex 3D geometries compared to the flashless ones, generally limited to axisymmetric components or components with cyclic-symmetric geometries.
Dies
The dies used in aluminum hot forging are custom-made to match the customer’s part designs. The process is performed with drop, power drop or counterblow hammers, hydraulic or screw presses, and other similar machinery to compress the heated metal into the desired part shape.
Since the dies used in aluminum hot forging undergo sever thermal cycle and mechanical loading, cracking, plastic deformation, thermal fatigue cracking and wear should be taken into account. To prolong dies’ life a good ductility and toughness and enhanced levels of both hot hardness and hot tensile strength are required.
The light structure, good strength, resistance, and durability have made aluminum hot forgings crucial to many industries, including automotive industry, mechanical industry, marine industry ,building and construction, sports and leisure, ect. As the leading aluminum hot forging company in China, CFS Forge can supply custom aluminum hot forgings with drawings or samples from our customers.
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There are many different aluminum alloys available on the market today. The alloys display versatility in their mechanical properties and use. In general, aluminum alloys demonstrate high electrical and thermal conductivity. They provide excellent corrosion resistance and are suitable for surface treatments that further enhance their qualities.
One of aluminum’s most important qualities is the fact that it can be recycled almost indefinitely without losing its innate qualities. Lightweight, non-ferrous and quite affordable, aluminum alloys represent a popular choice well-suited to various forging techniques and applications. Some frequently used alloys contain copper, silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper or zinc, which make up to 15% of the alloy by weight.
Advantages of Aluminum Hot Forging
Hot forging aluminum and aluminum alloys holds many benefits for applications. The process does not impede the ability of manufacturers to manipulate and cut aluminum products easily. Therefore, forged aluminum alloys can be cut into distinctly complex or ornate shapes.
When hot forged, aluminum alloys demonstrate some mechanical qualities comparable with steel, and the strength to weight ratio of aluminum exceeds that of steel. In addition, aluminum hot forging can produce a number of surface finishes, ranging from very smooth to relatively sharp, which is quite different from aluminum cold forging.
Aluminum hot forgings are generally cost-effective and attractive in their appearance. They allow for high design flexibility and in many cases, the exterior part of hot forged aluminum does not require extensive polishing.
For all these reasons, numerous industries make use of aluminum forgings. The process especially attracts manufacturers seeking to produce large, customized components using aluminum or its alloys.
Factors to Consider When Performing Aluminum Hot Forging
Cooling
Cooling should be performed with an extreme care due to the risk of warpage.
Tolerances
Another important thing to consider when choosing aluminum hot forging is the less precise dimensional tolerance compared to aluminum cold forging.
Flash
Aluminum hot forgings can be divided into forgings with and without flash. These with flash possess complex 3D geometries compared to the flashless ones, generally limited to axisymmetric components or components with cyclic-symmetric geometries.
Dies
The dies used in aluminum hot forging are custom-made to match the customer’s part designs. The process is performed with drop, power drop or counterblow hammers, hydraulic or screw presses, and other similar machinery to compress the heated metal into the desired part shape.
Since the dies used in aluminum hot forging undergo sever thermal cycle and mechanical loading, cracking, plastic deformation, thermal fatigue cracking and wear should be taken into account. To prolong dies’ life a good ductility and toughness and enhanced levels of both hot hardness and hot tensile strength are required.
The light structure, good strength, resistance, and durability have made aluminum hot forgings crucial to many industries, including automotive industry, mechanical industry, marine industry ,building and construction, sports and leisure, ect. As the leading aluminum hot forging company in China, CFS Forge can supply custom aluminum hot forgings with drawings or samples from our customers.
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