Cold forging

Cold forging is defined as working a metal below its recrystallization temperature, but usually around room temperature.

Advantages:

• No heating required
• Better surface finish
• Superior dimensional control
• Better reproducibility and interchangeability
• Directional properties can be imparted into the metal
• Contamination problems are minimized

Disadvantages:

• Higher forces are required
• Heavier and more powerful equipment and stronger tooling are required
• Metal is less ductile
• Metal surfaces must be clean and scale-free
• Intermediate anneals may be required to compensate for loss of ductility that accompanies strain hardening
• The imparted directional properties may be detrimental
• Undesirable residual stress may be produced