Kuumatyöstöä

Kuumatyöstöä refers to a group of metalworking processes that are performed on materials heated to elevated temperatures. This heating makes the metal more ductile and malleable, reducing the forces required for deformation and allowing for significant shape changes. Common hot working processes include hot rolling, forging, extrusion, and drawing.

Hot rolling involves passing heated metal between rollers to reduce its thickness and create a desired shape, often used for producing sheets, plates, and structural beams. Forging shapes metal by applying localized compressive forces, typically using hammers or presses, resulting in strong and durable components. Extrusion forces heated metal through a die to create a continuous profile, useful for producing complex shapes like tubes and rods. Hot drawing involves pulling heated metal through a die to reduce its diameter and increase its length, commonly used for wire production.

The primary advantage of hot working is its ability to achieve large deformations without fracturing the material. It also refines the grain structure of the metal, leading to improved mechanical properties. However, hot working processes can result in surface oxidation and decarburization, requiring post-processing steps. The exact temperature range for hot working varies depending on the specific metal alloy being processed, but it is generally above the recrystallization temperature of the material. This ensures that new, strain-free grains form during the deformation process, preventing work hardening.