| In a previous article I covered the | | | | results in very lightweight products, they are also |
| industry-standard process of forging aluminum for | | | | very prone to dents and will not last as long as |
| use in everything from aircrafts to pipelines. | | | | solid forged brass. Another process involves |
| Forged materials are up to 15% stronger than | | | | molding a mixture of lower-quality liquid metals |
| their molded counterparts and the process results | | | | into shape, which are then plated in brass-like |
| in a product virtually free of imperfections, which | | | | finishes. Again, these products are not nearly as |
| is ideal for cosmetic surface requirements. This | | | | durable as solid forged brass. |
| same process can also be applied to other metals, | | | | The forging process begins with round stock, |
| namely brass. | | | | which is cut to length and transferred into the |
| Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and is often | | | | forge ovens, heated to up to 900 degrees |
| used as a decoration due to its gold-like | | | | Fahrenheit. Then, the parts are forged using |
| appearance. It is most notably used in the | | | | precision-machined closed die forging presses |
| manufacturing of bathroom accessories such as | | | | resulting in a perfectly dimensioned forging. Parts |
| faucets and piping, locks, gears, doorknobs, and | | | | move from here to various trimming, |
| musical instruments such as horns, bells, and | | | | heat-treating, washing, and finishing processes, and |
| cymbals. | | | | then to shipping or to machining or polishing. The |
| Compared to other processes used to produce | | | | final result is stronger parts, with less waste and |
| such accessories, there really is no comparison. | | | | lower cost. |
| Some manufacturers use a stamping process to | | | | As with every previous technological |
| press very thin sheets of brass into | | | | advancement, it is hard to imagine living without |
| configurations, much like a cookie cutter. While this | | | | the benefit of forged products. |