1. Forging:
- Involves heating metal to a malleable state and hammering or pressing it into a desired shape.
- Uses dies or molds to achieve precise contours.
- Strengthens the metal by aligning its grain structure.
2. Rolling:
- Passes metal through a series of rollers under pressure, reducing its thickness and widening its width.
- Creates uniform cross-sections and improves surface finish.
- Used to produce sheet metal, rods, and beams.
3. Extrusion:
- Forces metal through a shaped die, producing a continuous elongated object with a specific profile.
- Creates complex shapes that are difficult to achieve through other processes.
- Used in the production of pipes, rods, and architectural components.
4. Casting:
- Melts metal and pours it into a mold to form a desired shape.
- Can be sand casting, investment casting, or die casting.
- Allows for intricate and complex shapes but may result in shrinkage and porosity.
5. Welding:
- Joins two or more pieces of metal together by melting their surfaces and fusing them.
- Includes various methods such as arc welding, MIG welding, and TIG welding.
- Creates strong and permanent bonds between metal components.
6. Machining:
- Removes material from a metal workpiece using cutting tools and precision machines.
- Includes operations like turning, milling, drilling, and grinding.
- Creates accurate dimensions, complex surfaces, and threaded features.
7. Heat Treatment:
- Alters the properties of metal by heating it to specific temperatures and cooling it at controlled rates.
- Hardens, softens, or strengthens the metal by manipulating its crystal structure.
- Used to enhance performance, durability, and corrosion resistance.
8. Forming:
- Shapes metal using specialized tools and techniques without removing material.
- Includes bending, stamping, and stretch forming.
- Creates precise shapes and reduces waste.
9. Surface Treatment:
- Alters the surface properties of metal to improve its appearance, functionality, or corrosion resistance.
- Includes processes like anodizing, galvanizing, and powder coating.