Forged steel is an alloy of iron and carbon compressed under intense pressures to make an extremely strong and hard alloy metal. The process of forging involves heating steel up to very high temperatures. Typically, this is between 800°C and 1000°C although it can also be done at room temperature in a process known as cold forming. Once heated, it becomes malleable enough to a point where it can be hammered or pressed into the desired shape. The modern methods of forging steel go back to the 1800s, though some even earlier examples were developed in China and Persia.

How Forged Steel is Made

Something else you may not know is how different forged steel is from cast steel. Cast steel is created by heating steel until it is molten. In a molten state, it can be poured into a mold to create the desired shape. Casting does, however, result in a weaker metal because the melting process causes the grain size to expand, resulting in a random grain structure. This random grain structure weakens the steel as opposed to forging, which keeps the grain structure tight.

Industries That Use Forged Steel

According to Columbus McKinnon Corporation, forged parts resulted in a 37% higher fatigue strength, which translated to a longer life span by a factor of six. Tensile strength was also higher by 26%. When pulled, forged parts were reduced by 58% in the area compared to 6% for forged parts, meaning that forged parts allowed for greater levels of deformity before failure. Cast iron also has 66% lower yield strength than steel, meaning it has a lesser load-bearing capacity. Cast steel can be used to make parts with complex shapes or sizes that forging cannot make.

Forged steel is used in the automotive industry to make axle beams, shafts, wheel spindles, etc. It is also used in manufacturing heavy industrial, construction, and mining equipment, as well as in the movement of oil and gas. One example is the forged steel fitting used in oil and gas industries to move the product. The use of forged steel fitting includes steel applications in ocean waters as well, where forgings can be alloyed with other metals to make them fit for such aggressive environments. If you require more advice on a forged steel fitting, contact Lynco Flange & Fitting today to get started with our products and services!