Forged products for the shipbuilding industry

In the shipbuilding industry, forged products play a significant role. The shipbuilding industry requires multiple disciplines to be applied. For example, the engineering studies of complex structures and the planning of advanced design can enhance and make vessels unique. Shipbuilding steel production allows obtaining a strong and solid material, but above all, corrosion-resistant. This is an essential feature for components in contact with water. Steel is always associated with longevity, but for the best performance to be guaranteed from this point of view, there is a need for careful selection of materials and ad hoc processing: among these is forging.

The role of forging in the shipbuilding industry

But what is forging used for in the shipbuilding industry? This process, also known as casting, calls for the plastic deformation, and thus transformation, of metal components in different sections to obtain parts for shipbuilding. For the forging to be carried out, the parts are, in most cases, subject to very high temperatures, higher than the recrystallization temperature, so that they can then be machined as necessary and acquire the desired shape.

The heavy industry sector nowadays makes use of forging – which is an ancient origin process and perhaps even the oldest ironworking system in human history – to obtain pieces of varying sizes and shapes. For example, in the case of the shipbuilding industry, forging allows obtaining the masts for the ships, while in other branches, it is even possible to produce cannons, shaped armor, or other elements that could not be manufactured through rolling. This type of processing is carried out mechanically. The iron or steel to be processed is brought to a temperature generally between 1100 and 1200 degrees Celsius, thanks to specific reheating furnaces. After that, the material is subject to pressure through dedicated tooling machines.

The steel in ingots is placed inside the reheating furnaces, designed and manufactured specifically for mechanical forging. Obviously, the larger the size of the bars and parts, the more challenges one has to face, not only in terms of input and extraction but also in terms of heating, because the risk of cracking must be avoided. Whether the parts are for the shipbuilding industry or other components, heating must be done gradually and slowly. Sometimes it can take several days, especially for parts weighing more than 1,000 quintals. The machine tools used in this field are hydraulic presses, forging machines, and bullocks, among others.

The choice of materials for the shipbuilding industry

The ideal compromise between aesthetics and functionality must be the primary objective at every stage of the processing of parts intended for the shipbuilding industry. In this sector, the search for and achievement of high beauty standards cannot be ignored. This is why it is also crucial to pay attention to the choice of materials: the use of stainless steel guarantees optimal performance not only because of its resistance to corrosion, which has already been mentioned but also because of its remarkable versatility.

Forge and the production of forged products for the shipbuilding industry

Forge Fedriga is a certified manufacturer in the shipbuilding industry and holds a DNVGL-CP-0247 certification. Forging is the core of the company’s manufacturing activity and is based on a specific cycle. The engineering of forging cycles takes place in the engineering department. After that, forged products for the shipbuilding industry are sent to the manufacturing department, which uses six manipulators up to 30 tons, five reheating furnaces, and two presses of 4000 tons and 3000 tons, respectively. The manufacturing of forged products for the shipbuilding industry also requires heat treatment. Forge specializes in this aspect, ensuring the products’ mechanical properties and structural uniformity according to the applicable standards.

The DNVGL-CP-0247 Certification

The 15certification programs include the technical and procedural requirements for design and production. These include the acceptance criteria for obtaining and retaining certificates for items and companies based on their classification. Based on this certification, the materials, products, product groups, and systems are checked to verify compliance with the standards.