Forging temperature is the temperature at which a metal becomes substantially more soft, but is lower than the melting temperature, such that it can be reshaped by forging. Bringing a metal to its forging temperature allows the metal's shape to be changed by applying a relatively small force, without creating cracks. For most metals, forging temperature is approximately 70% of the absolute temperature (usually measured in kelvins) of its melting point.
Selecting the maximum forging temperature allows metals to be forged more easily, lowering the forging pressure and thus the wear on metal-forming dies. The temperature at which a metal is forged can affect the homogeneity in microstructure and mechanical properties of forged products, which can highly affect the performance of products used in manufacturing.
MaterialForging TemperatureMelting point Celsius Fahrenheit°C Carbon steel - 0.50% carbon content 1230 2246 ~1425-1540 Stainless steel (nonmagnetic) 1150 2102 ~1400-1530 Stainless steel (magnetic) 1095 2003 ~1400-1530 Nickel 1095 2003 1453 Titanium 955 1751 1660 Copper 900 1652 1083 Brass (25 alloy types with varying ratios of copper and zinc) 815 1499 ~900-940 Commercial bronze (90% copper and 10% tin) 900 to 419.53 1652 to 787.154 ~950 Aluminium 300 - 480"Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys", edited by Joseph R. Davis, p248 600 - 900 660 Zinc 419.53 787.154 420 Lead 25 77 327 Iron 1371 2500 1535 Tin 231.93 449.474 232
See also Plasticity
Notes
References