Forming (metalworking)

Forming processes

Forming processes tend to be categorised by differences in effective stresses. These categories and descriptions are highly simplified, since the stresses operating at a local level in any given process are very complex and may involve many varieties of stresses operating simultaneously, or it may involve stresses which change over the course of the operation.

Compressive forming involves those processes where the primary means of plastic deformation is uni- or multiaxial compressive loading.

• Rolling, where the material is passed through a pair of rollers
• Extrusion, where the material is pushed through an orifice
• Die forming, where the material is stamped by a press around or onto a die
• Forging, where the material is shaped by localized compressive forces
• Indenting, where a tool is pressed into the workpiece

Tensile forming

Tensile forming involves those processes where the primary means of plastic deformation is uni- or multiaxial tensile stress.

• Stretching, where a tensile load is applied along the longitudinal axis of the workpiece
• Expanding, where the circumference of a hollow body is increased by tangential loading
• Recessing, where depressions and holes are formed through tensile loading

Combined tensile and compressive forming

This category of forming processes involves those operations where the primary means of plastic deformation involves both tensile stresses and compressive loads.

• Pulling through a die
• Tandem rolling mill
• Deep drawing
• Spinning
• Flange forming
• Upset bulging

Bending

This category of forming processes involves those operations where the primary means of plastic deformation is a bending load.

Shearing

This category of forming processes involves those operations where the primary means of plastic deformation is a shearing load.