With the continuous development of social economy and the advancement of science and technology, many improvements and innovations have been made in related machinery and industrial manufacturing methods. Numerous advancements and developments have been made in associated machinery and industrial manufacturing techniques as a result of the ongoing expansion of the social economy and the advancement of science and technology.
Forgings made of aluminum alloy are one of the latest materials used in production. Aluminum alloy forgings are used in a variety of production processes because of their exceptional qualities, including their low weight, high strength, strong corrosion resistance, good electrical conductivity, and good thermal conductivity. The majority of manufacturing employees prefer them.
Forgings made of aluminum alloys have the same strength properties as steel, but their needed density is considerably lower. In contrast, aluminum alloy forgings are more appropriate for usage in aerospace because of their smaller weight and lower manufacturing costs. They are used in designs for industrial and commercial vehicles, boats, aircraft, and war machines to lighten the complete apparatus and lower the original building costs.
Additionally, because aluminum alloy forgings have relatively outstanding stainless performance, they are frequently employed in the manufacturing of high-level acid-base environments, medicines, and the food processing and distribution industries.
Not only that, there are many advantages of aluminum alloy forgings in manufacturing. Let’s learn about them one by one below:
1. Aluminum alloy forgings have a relatively low processing difficulty, making them ideal for mass production.
Aluminum content ranges from 5% to 50% in forgings made of aluminum alloy. The mechanical strength, toughness, and ductility of aluminum alloy forgings have been significantly enhanced by the careful selection of alloy components and the inclusion of the proper quantities of hardening and rare earth elements. Forgings made of aluminum alloy exhibit good plasticity and forgeability during processing.
Aluminum alloy forgings can be processed by vacuum heat treatment, low-temperature quenching, and other processes, in contrast to some other materials that are more difficult to process. The subsequent processing costs are also quite expensive. Because they are low, aluminum alloy forgings can be used in mass production, which significantly boosts industrial customers' profitability and lowers manufacturing expenses.
2. The light density of aluminum alloy forgings reduces the weight and quality of the overall structure.
The fact that aluminum alloy forgings have a low density but relatively high strength is another benefit. For instance, the 6061-T6 aluminum alloy has a specific gravity of only 2.7g/cm3 but a maximum strength of 275Mpa, which significantly reduces the weight and volume of the entire construction.
Vehicles, aircraft, ships, and other structures are better suited for this lightweight and high-strength feature. Aluminum alloy forgings can also significantly lower manufacturing costs concurrently. In order to lower the weight of the railway and the overall cost of railway construction, lighter aluminum alloy forgings are now used to create railway sleepers that formerly required more steel to be manufactured, improving our quality of life and the state of the economy.
3. Aluminum alloy forgings have high corrosion resistance
Forgings made of aluminum alloy have excellent corrosion resistance when compared to other metal materials. In the atmosphere, aluminum has an effective coating that prevents oxidation. Strong hydrofluoric acid or nitric acid will cause it to corrode, at which point a new oxidation-protecting layer will form. Aluminum is frequently employed in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries due to this feature.
Forgings made of aluminum alloy also have unique use in some production sectors, such as stone wear resistance and corrosion resistance. The stability of the manufacturing process and product temperature is further ensured by the thermal and electrical conductivity of aluminum alloy forgings. For this reason, aluminum alloy forgings are appropriate for high-tech industries like aerospace and the production of microelectronics.
Over the past few decades, aluminum alloy forging technology has advanced and developed, becoming a vital component of contemporary production. Aluminum alloy materials now have improved strength, wear resistance, and electrical conductivity thanks to advancements in forging technology. The development of aluminum alloy forging technology and its benefits will be the main topics of this study.
Aluminum alloy forging process
In the aluminum alloy forging procedure, the aluminum alloy material is heated and pre-treated before being plastically deformed under pressure in a mold to create a workpiece. Forging an aluminum alloy falls into one of two categories: cold forging, which is forged at room temperature.
The other type of forging requires forging at high temperatures and is known as hot forging. Sparks can be created during the hot forging process utilizing either a semi-spark or full-spark forging method. In addition, CNC forging is available. The precision and efficiency of the forging process are substantially improved by this technology, which is based on CNC machinery.
Advantages of aluminum alloy forging
1. Simple manufacturing process
The forging of aluminum alloy is a fairly straightforward operation, and it's simple to regulate the process variables. Because forging molds are very simple to create and aluminum alloy goods can be mass-produced, producers may be able to cut production costs.
2. Better uniformity and formability
Compared to other processing techniques, aluminum alloy forging has a higher formability, making it easier to produce the appropriate shape and size. Additionally, forging can produce shapes and sizes that are more uniform, increasing the accuracy of the aluminum alloy goods that are created.
3. Superior material performance
In comparison to other processing techniques, aluminum alloy forging optimizes aluminum processing more effectively and adheres to stronger quality control criteria. This consequently implies that aluminum products will be of higher quality and effectiveness. For instance, forged aluminum alloys generate items with superior thermal conductivity, preventing overheating or even burning out during operation.
4. Save energy, protect the environment and save energy
The forging of aluminum alloys requires less energy, consumes less time, and is more time-efficient, which eases the strain on producers' finances. The forging process is also environmentally friendly and does not release any dangerous elements.
5. The service life is also longer
The strength and heat conductivity of aluminum alloy forged goods are higher and won't be diminished by loss. This indicates that items made of aluminum alloys are more cost-effective and may be used for a longer period of time.
