What is Forge Welding – Advantages and Disadvantages

What is Forge Welding

Forge welding (FOW) is a solid-state welding process that joins two pieces of metal by heating them to a high temperature and then hammering them together. It may also consist of heating and forcing the metals together with presses or other means, creating enough pressure to cause plastic deformation at the weld surfaces. The process is one of the simplest methods of joining metals and has been used since ancient times. Forge welding is versatile, being able to join a host of similar and dissimilar metals. With the invention of electrical and gas welding methods during the Industrial Revolution, manual forge-welding has been largely replaced, although automated forge-welding is a common manufacturing process.

Read More: Basic Of Welding : Symbols And Charts

Forge welding is a process of joining metals by heating them beyond a certain threshold and forcing them together with enough pressure to cause deformation of the weld surfaces, creating a metallic bond between the atoms of the metals. The pressure required varies, depending on the temperature, strength, and hardness of the alloy. Forge welding is the oldest welding technique, and has been used since ancient times.

Application:

• It is used to join steel or iron.
• It is used to manufacture gates, prison cells etc.
• It is widely used in cookware.
• It was used to join boiler plates before introduction of other welding process.
• It was used to weld weapon like sword etc.
• Used to weld shotgun barrels.

Advantages and Disadvantages:

Advantages:

• It is simple and easy.
• It does not require any costly equipment for weld small pieces.
• It can weld both similar and dissimilar metals.
• Properties of weld joint is similar to base material.
• No filler material required.

Disadvantages:

• Only small objects can be weld. Larger objects required
  large press and heating furnaces, which are not economical.
• High skill required because excessive hammering can damage
  the welding plates.
• High Welding defects involve.
• It cannot use as mass production.
• Mostly suitable for iron and steel.
• It is a slow welding process.

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