Hot forging is a plastic forming process carried out above the recrystallization temperature of the metal, widely used in the fields of automotive, aerospace, machinery manufacturing, and more. In the hot forging process, the control of the initial forging temperature is particularly critical, as it directly affects the plastic deformation ability of the metal, the microstructure and properties of the forgings, and the quality of subsequent processing. Therefore, the reasonable control of the initial forging temperature is the core link to ensure the quality and process stability of hot forging products.



One, Definition and importance of initial forging temperature



The initial forging temperature refers to the initial temperature when the metal starts to forge. For different types of metal materials, the setting standards for the initial forging temperature are also different. Generally, the initial forging temperature should be slightly lower than the solidus temperature of the material to prevent overheating or overburning. An appropriate initial forging temperature is helpful to improve the plasticity and fluidity of the metal, reduce the deformation resistance, and thus obtain an ideal forging shape and internal structure.



If the initial forging temperature is too high, it may lead to coarsening of metal grain, oxidation and burn loss, even overburning, reducing the mechanical properties of the product; while a low temperature will increase the deformation resistance of the metal, leading to difficulties in forging, cracking, and other defects.



Two, Factors affecting the selection of initial forging temperature



1. Material type: Different types of metals (such as carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, etc.) have different thermal deformation characteristics, so the initial forging temperature needs to be determined according to their physical properties and recrystallization temperature.

2. Billet size and shape: Large-sized or complex-shaped blanks require higher temperatures to ensure uniform heating and good plasticity.

3. Forging equipment and process conditions: Different equipment such as hydraulic presses, hammering machines, or mechanical presses have different temperature requirements, and at the same time, the influence of heating methods (such as induction heating, gas heating, etc.) on temperature control needs to be considered.

4. Environmental factors and cooling rate: The workshop environment temperature and the time interval from heating to forging will affect the actual forging temperature of the metal, which needs to be considered when setting the initial forging temperature.



Three, Control methods of initial forging temperature



1. Precise heating control: Using advanced heating equipment such as medium-frequency induction furnaces, controlled atmosphere furnaces, and equipped with temperature monitoring systems (such as infrared thermometers) to implement real-time monitoring of the heating temperature.

2. Formulating a reasonable heating curve: According to different materials, set the heating rate and holding time to ensure that the temperature inside and outside the billet is uniform, and avoid cracking or deformation caused by large temperature differences.

3. Implementing process temperature management: During the heating to forging process, it is necessary to shorten the transportation time as much as possible, use insulation devices or rapid forging processes, and prevent sudden temperature drops.

4. Establishing a temperature detection and feedback mechanism: By regularly detecting the microstructure and mechanical properties of the forging, infer whether the initial forging temperature is reasonable, and continuously optimize the temperature control parameters.



Four, Conclusion



In summary, the control of the initial forging temperature in hot forging is a highly systematic and technical task, directly related to the quality of the product and the stability of production. By scientifically selecting the initial forging temperature, reasonably designing the heating process, and precisely implementing temperature monitoring, it can effectively improve the forming performance and tissue uniformity of the hot forged parts, thereby meeting the high-quality requirements of precision forgings in the high-end manufacturing industry. In the future, with the development of intelligent manufacturing and automation technology, the control of the initial forging temperature will be more accurate and efficient, providing strong support for the improvement of hot forging technology.