Forging is a traditional metalworking process that employs a high tonnage press and a custom-made die to shape metal into a desired form.

There are two types of forgings: open-die and closed-die.

In open-die forging, a hammer comes down and deforms the workpiece, which is placed on a stationary anvil. The operator needs to orient and position the workpiece and run multiple hammering to get the desired dimensions. Open-die forging lends itself to short runs and is appropriate for custom work and get rough shape ingots to prepare them for further operations. The initial cost is low since no expensive die is needed.

In closed-die forging (also know as impression-die forging), work metal is placed in a die resembling a mold, which is attached to the anvil. Usually the hammer die is shaped as well. The hammer is then dropped on the workpiece, causing the metal to flow and fill the die cavities. The hammer is generally in contact with the workpiece on the scale of milliseconds. Excess metal is squeezed out of the die cavities; this is called flash. The flash cools more rapidly than the rest of the material; this cool metal is stronger than the metal in the die so it helps prevent more flash from forming. This also forces the metal to completely fill the die cavity. After forging the flash is trimmed off.

Closed-die forging has a high initial cost due to the creation of dies. However, it has low recurring costs for each part, thus forgings become more economical with high volume. Another reason forgings are common in these industrial sectors is because forgings generally

Forging parts generally have about a 20% higher strength to weight ratio compared to cast or machined parts of the same material because metal is pounded during forging process and its grains deform to follow the shape of the part, thus the grains are unbroken throughout the part.

Triton represents multiple forging shops with different forging materials. Secondary operations such as machining and surface treatment is available.

Common metals for forging process:

Carbon steel and alloy steel: 1020, 1045, 4140, 8620, 40Cr, 9Cr1Mo, 5140, 42CrMo4 ...

Brass forging: C10100 C10200, C11000 C12200 C12000 C21000 C22000 C23000 C24000 C26000 C26800 C27000 C34200 C28000 C35000 C36000 C37000 C38000, C38000, ...

Aluminum forging: 1050, 1060, 2014, 3003, 4032, 5052, 6061, 6063, 7174, ...

Stainless steel is generally not good for forging especially for deep forging. One reason is that stainless steel exhibits a quality known as "red hardness" which means that it remains quite hard to forge even when red hot. 400 series stainless steel tends to be a bit easier than 300 series. For complicated stainless steel part, investment casting is usually the best option.