Brass forging

Brass forging is a process in which a forging press places places extreme pressure on a single piece of brass that has been heated to about 815 degrees C. The softened metal is then forced, beaten, and shaped to produce a part made from a single piece of brass and free of imperfections.

The brass forging process actually makes the metal around 15% stronger than mold cast parts as the process does not change the structure of the metal. Extruded brass stock is made into a shape already close to the final part that it will be forged into when the brass is heated.

forged brass products

The various types of brass forging include closed die forging, open die forging, cold forging, and seamless rolled ring forging:

• Closed die forging, also known as impression-die forging, utilizes two or more dies made in the shape of the part desired. The brass is heated until it becomes malleable, or reaches a plastic state, and is then compressed by the die machine. This forging process creates brass parts that have enhanced density, aligned grain flow, and high strength. Closed die brass forging produces extremely strong and durable products. 

• In open die forging the heated, malleable brass is not confined in a die or mold. Instead, it is accomplished with the use of two flat die surfaces with no type of impression. This type of brass forging is typically used to create and shape very large single pieces of brass up to 36,000 kg or more.

• Cold brass forging only requires that the brass be heated to a few hundred degrees. Cold forging is typically used to create things like coins, automotive steering parts, anti-lock braking systems, and other smaller parts. This process produces parts that require high strength and close tolerances. 

• Rolled ring forging uses round, open ring-shaped parts that were shaped using the open die forging process. This type of forging is accomplished through the forced pressure of two axial rolls, a driver roll and an idler roll. The ring of brass is rotated by the idler roll while applying pressure to the inside of the ring. The driver roll applies pressure to the outside edge of the ring. As the process progresses, the ring becomes flatter until the desired ring diameter is achieved.

Advantages

• Forging brass parts reduces metal scrap and is faster than machining the parts. 

• The forging process also produces a pore-free surface which makes for a more attractive brass part. 

• It produces strong and durable products.