There are a few techniques when it comes to forging; two of which are closed-die and open-die forging. Closed-die forging is one of the most commonly used methods for forging steel parts. In this article, we discuss what closed-die forging is and the pros and cons of the process.
What is closed-die forging?
Forging in a closed-die process requires moving two dies towards each other, which cover the workpiece in whole or in part. The heated raw material, which is the shape of the final forged part, is placed in the bottom die. This process works with the metal’s internal grain, producing strong and long-lasting products.
Closed-die forging requires little to no machining. The process utilizes heat and a forging hammer or press to deform the metal to fill the die impression.
The closed-die forging process also makes good use of flash – the excess material squeezed out during the forging process. As the flash promptly cools, it increases pressure on the impression, which encourages the metal flash to flow into crevices. The excess flash is then manually removed.
Benefits of closed-die forgings
- Better surface finish and mechanical properties
- Reduced or no machining
- Cost-efficient for large production runs
- Dimensions with tighter tolerances and various shapes can be achieved
- More precise, consistent impressions
Disadvantages of closed-die forgings
- Not usually economical for short or small production runs due to the cost of die production
- Size and shape limitations
When to use closed-die forgings
The closed-die forging process may be suitable for the production of your part if it is something that needs to be mass produced. Additionally, the detailed predetermined shape of the impression allows for parts with intricate curves or multiple surface heights. Closed-die forging is preferred for small, detailed parts because of its high precision.
To learn more about our forging size and material capabilities, visit our forgings page, or contact us at (314) 413-3367.
