What is Brass?
Brass is the common forging alloy which consists of copper with zinc added. The amount of zinc in each brass alloy is different. These varying mixtures produce a wide range of properties and variation in color. Increased amounts of zinc provide the brass forgings with improved strength and ductility. Brass can range in color from red to yellow depending on the amount of zinc added to the alloy. Brass forging is the hot forging process in which brass billets are heated and placed on upper and lower dies, and then pressed in few seconds by high pressure.
The Hot Brass Forging Process
Rod Cutting & Heating
Once the order is confirmed, the brass rods must be ordered with the right grade and specification. Each brass rod is cut into a certain length according to the shape of product. Then, heat the cut rod to meet forging temperature. To insure a quality part, the forger must carefully control the forging temperature, as if the temperature is not enough, the billet will have no way to fill the die cavity completely. If the temperature is too high, a porous surface will be caused.
Forging
Before forging, the dies or tooling are heated for the purpose of proper metal flow, and the heated copper billet is placed under the lower die cavity. With a downward stroke of the forging ram, the upper die is forced against the brass billet to get the desired shape. Most brass alloys are forged only once, no re-strike or reheating is required. This allows the use of single cavity dies instead of the more expensive progressive dies, thus labor costs, die costs, and heating costs can be saved. Normally, a production shift can finish brass forgings 3,000-4,000pcs per 8 hours. Of couse, if summer, the production efficiency may be slight slower due to the hot weather. Hot forging process can offer brass products uniform crystal texture, meanwhile, excellent strength and mechanical properties can be achieved. These superior properties make brass forgings popular in industrial applications for its good quality.
Trimming
In order that the brass billets can completely fill the die cavity, the weight of the forging billet slightly exceeds that required by the finished brass forging. So, after forging, the excess flash needs to be removed. During forging, the excess flash is removed into the trimming die. Good forging die design is quite significant as it can make the amount of flash to a minimum for minimum scrap, and material cost can be saved, also the production efficiency can be improved.
Shot blasting
During the forging process surface mile scales will be formed. To make the surface clean and smooth, shot blasting is suggested, which is the lowest surface treatment method. Of course, sometimes other post treatment like surface treatment or post machining is required to meet the drawing specification.
Testing
Testing is also a critical procedure in brass forging process. In CFS Forge, we have skilled quality inspectors, and each production producure must be strictly checked before move forward. Any error is not allowed before packing.
Packaging & Delivery
All the brass forgings in CFS Forge are exported by sea or by air to countries like USA, UK, Canada, Australia, ect. So these products must be well packed with cardboard boxes, and then in a large wooden case. Located in Ningbo, China, we enjoy convenient water transportation and can save lots of transportation cost for our customers.
Why Brass Forging?
Brass forgings offer a number of advantages over parts produced by casting, stamping, welding, or machining. The forging process improves both the properties of the alloy, and the mechanical and physical properties of brass forgings through the application of heat and pressure. Below are the benefits of brass forging:
• High strength for safety, security, or long-term applications.
• Elimination of defects caused by casting or other manufacturing methods.
• Consistently close dimensional tolerances, no or less machining operation.
• Smooth surface finish
• Superior polishing and finishing surface characteristics
• Efficient production methods.
CFS is the professional brass forging company in China, we can forge various brass grade including C37700, C36000, C37100, etc. If you have any inquiry on brass forging or other copper alloy forgings, pls email cathy.forge@cnool.net directly, we will get back to you in the first time.