forgedsteel

Forged steel refers to steel parts produced primarily through the forging process, where stock is shaped by compressive forces using dies, hammers, or presses. Forging can be performed at hot, warm, or cold temperatures, with hot forging being the most common for steel because it reduces deformation resistance and promotes refined grain structure.

Common forging methods include open-die forging, where the workpiece is shaped with relatively simple dies, and closed-die (impression) forging, which uses shaped dies to create more complex geometries. Hot forging is typically used for larger or tougher parts, while warm and cold forging may be employed for smaller components or high-volume production. Post-forging deformation is often followed by trimming and finishing operations.

Materials used for forging encompass carbon steels, alloy steels, tool steels, and stainless steels. Forging improves grain flow and helps close internal porosity, resulting in superior strength and toughness along the main axis compared to some cast equivalents. Certain alloys are particularly suited to forging due to their deformation characteristics during heating.

Advantages of forged steel include enhanced strength, toughness, and fatigue resistance, especially in critical loading directions. Limitations include higher cost, longer lead times, and restrictions on near-net-shape complexity, which may require additional machining or secondary operations.

Post-forging heat treatments such as normalization, quenching and tempering, or annealing are commonly applied to achieve final hardness and performance. Finishing processes may include machining, surface treatment, and inspection.

Applications span automotive components (crankshafts, connecting rods, gears), aerospace parts, hand tools, blades, hydraulic parts, and other high-stress structural or functional components.