Stainless Steel Forgings

Because of their ability to resist heat and corrosion, stainless steels are often used in forging. The most common types of stainless steel used in forging are 304/304L, 316/316L and ferritic. 304/304L is easy to forge, but it requires higher forging temperatures than other austenitic stainless steel options. When certain types of corrosion are a concern, 316/316L stainless steel is a good choice because it contains molybdenum.
While these types of stainless steel are very commonly used in forging, all steel grades have different properties and their own unique advantages. And the forging process generally enhances the beneficial properties of most steels. Stainless steel is one of the best varieties of forging steel. This is because stainless steel responds very well to the forging process, and even increases its strength and corrosion resistance through the forging process. Additionally, forging creates a continuous flow of grains throughout the part. Skilled blacksmiths can ensure that stainless steel achieves the strongest results in the range where it can withstand the highest forces, which cannot be achieved by casting or machining.

Once you determine the best steel structure and grade for your fabrication process, you need to compare machining options. Whether you choose stainless steel forging, casting or machining, it plays a vital role in the economy, reliability and precision of your workpieces. SHENGFA Hardware can provide the following three different stainless steel processing methods, you can compare them. Of course, we will also provide you with the best solution according to your needs.

SHENGFA Hardware uses closed die forging to manufacture finely detailed workpieces with minimal material waste. Forging can create stainless steel forgings ranging in weight from 15 pounds to a tenth of a pound. The process first heats the steel to a liquid state, which improves the grain structure of the alloy. Next, it flows into precision molds. The airdrop hammer closes the impression as many times as needed to create the desired shape. Stainless steel forgings process produces very little waste compared to machining.

Similar to stainless steel forging, casting begins with molten metal and fine molds. Casting involves pouring metal into molds and using gravity to help the liquid flow through the mold. This process doesn't need to hit as hard as the forging process, but it has limitations. You need to carefully inspect the components created in the casting, as internal voids and other inconsistencies can damage the workpiece.

CNC machining is another popular alternative to stainless steel forgings in certain industrial applications. CNC machines use steel parts, programmed instructions, and cutting tools to create detailed, repeatable workpieces. The lines, corners and other features of a workpiece can be more detailed and complex than a forged part, but CNC machining creates a lot of waste.