Selection of Dies, Die Material, Hardness based on type of Metal, Alloy being forged

This article is very important. After reading you shall have a fair knowledge about how to select Dies, Die Material, Hardness when forging Stainless Steel, Aluminum Alloy, Copper, Copper Alloy, Carbon, and Alloy Steel Forgings.

• STAINLESS STEEL: Because of the greater force  is  required for  s, forging so the thicker die block should be used and also we con not re-sink  it many time as well as for carbon and alloy steel forgings. Die heating temperature should be maintained between 300 to 400 f ,but dies are some lime heated 600 f for special trade of s. s. mostly hot work  tool steel “ used for hammers or press forging dies, grade h 12 or h13 for small forgings  (up to 20 pounds ) and 6g or 6f2 for big  forgings ,and die hardness required 388 to 429 BHN for hammer and press (both forging dies)
• ALUMINUM ALLOY: Forging dies specially designed for Al alloy for following reasons. 1. Allowances for Shrinked are greater than for steel. 2. Temperature control of dies for forging of Al alloy  is critical, so  die tamp. Controlling during forging  must be  considered  in die design .Die heating temperature  is to maintain up to 375 Degree F. Hot WORK TOOL STEEL” used for hammer and press  forging  dies , grade 6 G or 6 F2.  Die hardness for hammer forging  dies 302 to 433 BHN and for press forging dies  341 to 433 BHN.
• COPPER AND COPPER ALLOY: Dies designed for  forging  cu or cu alloy usually  different or three points  Draft angle  max 3 degree  .2. Die cavity less  than for forging of steel ,0.005 in/inch. 3.Die cavity must be polished  to a better surface  finish for  forging  of forging  of cu and cu alloy die heating tamp . must be  maintained between 300 to 600 degree F . HOT WORK  TOOL STEEL” GRADE H11 or H12 used for hammers and press forging  dies and die  hardness required  341 to 375 BHN for hammers and press (Both) forging  dies.
• CARBON AND ALLOY STEEL: Following points to be added to design in forging dies  for carbon and alloy steel. 1. Draft angle should be 5 to 7 degree for hammer forging dies and max 3 degree for press forging dies. 2. Shrinkage allowance must. be 1.5%.  Die cavity finish is not as much required as for cu and cu alloy forging dies .Die tamp should be 480 to 570 degree F . Mostly the die steel grade DB6 is used for carbon and alloy steel forging dies .Die hardness required 350 to 400 BHN for Hammer and press forging  dies.