Forged copper pieces: the new Forge Fedriga production

Hot forging of copper is one of the most widely used techniques for processing this versatile, nonferrous material, which is excellent for shaping. Copper forging involves applying a hot forming technique where the recrystallization temperature must be lower than the processing temperature. The forming temperature ranges from a minimum of 750 to a maximum of 950 degrees Celsius, depending on the characteristics of the forged part. It must be said that not all copper alloys are suitable for forging.

Particularly suitable for forging are the following:

• unalloyed copper
• aluminum copper
• special brass
• copper and tin alloys and other processed alloys.

Why choose to forge when processing copper

Forged copper parts are particularly advantageous because they easily take the desired shape. If needed, they can also be assembled with each other. Similar results could indeed be obtained with different processing methods, but the quality obtained from copper forging is unmatched.

Forged copper pieces are distinguished by the type of processing that gives the material a smoother and finer structure; they also boast better surface quality. This explains why forging is preferred to cutting, for example.

Difference between forging and copper forging

Forging applies a specific pressure on the piece of copper to be processed through a press so that the piece can be plastically deformed. The result is a part with clear mechanical properties, a specific shape, and a defined size. In the case of molding, a metal blank is subject to deformation by compression carried out within a forging mold with a precise shape. Hot molding can mold parts with a compact and fine structure, complex shapes, and a good surface finish. However, the mechanical properties emerging from copper forging are higher than those offered by molding.

Forge Fedriga and copper forging

To date, Forge Fedriga has been involved in the processing of two types of copper alloys:

• CuCrZr: a copper alloy subject to aging, which is then solubilized and aged;
• C10300, also called Cu HCP: 99.9% pure copper that undergoes no special heat treatment.

For more information on copper forging, don’t hesitate to contact us.