Reasonable selection of raw materials
The quality of raw materials is the basis for preventing cracks in 304 Stainless Steel Forgings. The selected 304 stainless steel material should be ensured to have good purity and minimize the content of impurity elements, such as sulfur and phosphorus, which are easy to form brittle phases during the forging process and increase the risk of cracks. At the same time, the hardness and organizational structure of the raw materials should be strictly controlled to avoid the initiation of cracks during forging due to defects in the raw materials themselves. For example, strict inspection and metallographic analysis of the raw materials should be carried out to ensure that they meet the requirements of relevant standards and forging processes.
Optimize forging process parameters
The reasonable setting of forging process parameters is crucial to prevent cracks. The first is the control of forging temperature. The initial forging temperature of 304 stainless steel should not be too high. Too high a temperature may cause coarse grains and reduce the mechanical properties of the material. It is also easy to cause overheating and overburning of the material during the forging process, which in turn causes cracks. The final forging temperature should not be too low either. Too low a final forging temperature will deteriorate the plasticity of the material, increase the deformation resistance, and easily cause work hardening and cracks. In addition, the forging ratio should be moderate. Too large a forging ratio will cause uneven flow line distribution inside the material, resulting in stress concentration, which will lead to cracks.
Use appropriate forging equipment and dies
Selecting appropriate forging equipment and dies can effectively reduce stress concentration during forging and reduce the possibility of cracks. Forging equipment should have sufficient accuracy and stability to ensure uniform force transmission during forging and avoid abnormal forging stress caused by equipment problems. The design of the die should meet the shape and size requirements of 304 Stainless Steel Forgings, minimize the sharp corners of the die and the transition radius is too small, and prevent stress concentration and cracks caused by uneven metal flow during forging. At the same time, the die should be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure its surface finish and dimensional accuracy.
Do a good job of post-forging treatment
Post-forging treatment is of great significance for eliminating forging stress, improving the structure and performance of forgings, and preventing the expansion of cracks. After forging, the forgings should be cooled in time. According to the size and shape of the forgings, appropriate cooling methods such as air cooling, wind cooling or water cooling should be selected to avoid new stress and cracks caused by too fast or too slow cooling. In addition, the forgings can also be subjected to appropriate heat treatments such as annealing and normalizing to refine the grains, eliminate residual stress, and improve the comprehensive performance and crack resistance of the forgings.
Through the above measures, 304 Stainless Steel Forgings can be effectively prevented from cracks and other defects during forging, and the quality and reliability of forgings can be improved.
