How Hot Metalworking Works

Hot metalworking is a fundamental technique in the manufacturing industry. Through the application of heat, metals are shaped, forged and transformed into a wide range of products used in different sectors, such as automotive, aeronautics, engineering and many others. In this article, we will explore how hot metal working works, the techniques involved, and the types of metals suitable for this process.

The basics of hot metalworking

Hot metalworking involves the use of high temperatures to make metals more ductile and mouldable. This process can be divided into several stages, including metal heating, plastic deformation and final cooling.

• Heating: the first stage of hot metal processing is heating. The metal is brought to high temperatures in specialized furnaces or induction furnaces. The goal is to achieve a working temperature that allows the material to be deformable without breaking or suffering structural damage.
• Plastic deformation: once the metal has reached the desired temperature, it is subjected to a series of plastic deformation processes. These may include forging, extrusion, rolling and drawing. Forging is the most common process in hot metalworking and involves the application of a compressive force to shape the metal into a desired shape.
• Cooling: after plastic deformation, the metal is gradually cooled to restore its structure and mechanical properties. Cooling can occur naturally or through the use of cooling media such as water or compressed air. The cooling rate can affect the final properties of the metal, such as hardness and strength.

Hot metalworking techniques

There are several common techniques used in hot metalworking.

• Forging: forging is a hot metalworking technique that involves the application of compressive forces to deform the metal into a desired shape. It can be performed by hammering, pressing or stamping.
• Extrusion: extrusion consists of passing the metal through a die to obtain a desired cross-section. This technique is often used for the production of aluminium and brass profiles.
• Rolling: rolling involves compressing the metal between two rolls to reduce its thickness and improve its mechanical properties. It is widely used in the production of sheet metal.
• Drawing: drawing involves passing the metal through a die with an opening of progressively reduced size to obtain a wire or tube of desired diameter. This technique is used for the production of steel wires and copper tubes.

Metals suitable for hot working

Not all metals are suitable for hot working. The metals that are commonly used in this process are:

• Steel: steel is one of the most widely used metals in hot working. Its ability to be bended and moulded at high temperatures makes it ideal for forging and other techniques.
• Aluminium: aluminium is a lightweight and strong metal that is often hot worked by extrusion. This technique makes it possible to produce aluminium profiles used in various applications, such as windows, doors and car parts.
• Copper: copper is known for its excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. It is often hot worked to produce pipes, wires and electrical parts.
• Titanium: titanium is a lightweight metal with outstanding corrosion resistance. It is often hot worked to produce parts for the aerospace and medical industry.

Conclusions

Hot metalworking is a fundamental process in the manufacturing industry. Through the application of heat, metals can be shaped and transformed into a wide range of products used in different industries.

Hot metalworking techniques, such as forging, extrusion, rolling and drawing, allow desired shapes and sizes to be achieved.

However, not all metals are suitable for hot working. Therefore, it is important to select the appropriate metals for this type of processing, including steel, aluminium, copper and titanium, since these materials have mechanical and thermal properties suitable for the hot plastic deformation process.

In general, hot metal processing continues to play an essential role in the production of high-quality metal products.