5 Key Factors to Consider when Hot Forging Aluminum

The forging of aluminum has increasingly grown popular in the metal manufacturing industry. This is because of the fast-growing demand for aluminum forgings. Almost every industry that uses metals is using aluminum because of its lightweight features. From cards, automobiles, and even airplanes, there are many industries where aluminum materials. Here are factors to consider in hot forging aluminum:

Temperatures

In all metal forging processes, temperatures are the first key factor to consider. Different metals require different temperatures for a great result. Aluminum requires a temperature range between 300 – 480 compared to metals like steel alloys which require 750 – 950 for it to be molded. It’s important to consider temperature for best reformation.’

Type of the Aluminum

There are various types of aluminum, and they require different temperature ranges. Some examples of aluminum alloy include; AA-8000, which are used by electrical power companies for building wire, 2000 series used for aircraft industries, 5000 series, etc. All of them use different forging temperatures.

Cooling

Metals tend to warp if not well cooled and mishandled. Metal Warping is a distortion of shape in a piece of metal. Aluminum being light requires care when cooling to avoid bending and damaging the reformed piece. It takes some time to allow aluminum to cool using water. This makes them stronger and tough. It also adds durability to the metal.

Deformation Lubrication

Forging is a process that works with metals. To avoid friction, lubrication is used between metals to avoid fluidity. The fluidity of metals affects their formation when the presence of impurities occurs. Though there are methods to test fluidity, effective lubrications are applied to reduce all the costs incurred while testing and the wastage of materials.

Dies

Various type of dies is applied when forging aluminum for different design respective to the market. Therefore, it is the manufactures duty to make sure they have selected and pre-heated the dies well before the final product. This will give it a prolonged life, toughness, and ductility. Dies also make the metal attractive after cooling.

Aluminum alloys are used in automotive, aircraft, and medical engineering industries, and it is therefore mandatory to use the right procedures. A small unnoticed mistake can cause damage and severe injuries, including death, if the factors are not adhered to.