kylmämuovaamalla

Kylmämuovaamalla, also known as cold forming or cold working, is a metalworking process where metal is shaped at or near room temperature, without prior heating. This process relies on the ductility of the metal, allowing it to deform plastically without fracturing. Common cold forming techniques include cold rolling, cold drawing, cold forging, and extrusion.

Cold forming offers several advantages over hot forming. It results in improved surface finish and dimensional accuracy, often eliminating the need for secondary finishing operations. The cold working process also increases the strength and hardness of the metal through strain hardening, leading to enhanced mechanical properties. Furthermore, it avoids issues associated with heating, such as oxidation and scaling, and allows for the use of simpler and less expensive tooling.

However, cold forming requires higher forces and pressures compared to hot forming, necessitating robust machinery. The deformation is limited by the metal's ductility, and excessive cold working can lead to embrittlement, requiring annealing (a heat treatment process) to restore ductility. Materials suitable for cold forming typically include low to medium carbon steels, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, and certain stainless steels. Applications are widespread, ranging from automotive parts and fasteners to wire, pipes, and structural components.