Work hardening is a process that increases the strength of metal components through plastic deformation. It can be achieved through heat or cold and reduces the potential for cracking and contamination. However, it can also make the metal less ductile and negatively affect directional properties, making it unsuitable for certain products.
Also known as work hardening, work hardening is a process of increasing the strength of a metal component with the use of so-called plastic deformation. Some metals and metal alloys, such as aluminum or copper, are strengthened more efficiently using this particular approach. The essential process involves the creation of specific dislocation movements within the structure of the metal itself which determine the maintenance of all the characteristics of the metal while providing the material with an additional reinforcement.
There are several processes that can be used to achieve work hardening. In some cases, the process involves the use of heat. This is especially true in situations where you want to reshape the metal while also increasing the strength of the finished product. Other times, the metal can undergo plastic deformation using cold rather than heat. In this scenario, the temperature of the metal is reduced to such a level that crystallization occurs within the metal, making it possible to bend, squeeze, draw, or shear the metal to create the desired shape and degree of strength.
While the work hardening process is underway, the metal is often quite malleable, making it easier to work the material into the desired shape. For example, copper that is undergoing the process will be somewhat malleable by using heat or cold to produce the effect. During this time, it’s a simple process to stretch, bend, or even hammer the copper into the desired shape. Once the hardening process is complete, copper is highly durable and has the ability to hold its shape over the long term.
One benefit of work hardening is that the process can help reduce the potential for cracking along the surface of the strengthened metal or metal alloy. By employing the process, metals can be used in the creation of devices designed to withstand a specific amount of load for a certain amount of time. Because work hardening is not a reversible process, strength is easily measurable, allowing you to choose the right metal or alloy to manufacture your product.
The benefits of work hardening also include the ability to control the rate of contamination within the metal itself. This in turn helps strengthen the metal, as the presence of contaminants that could weaken the metal in various places is minimized. The result is a uniformity of resistance which helps guarantee the life of the finished product, assuming that the product is subjected to use that complies with the standards set by the manufacturer.
There are also some disadvantages associated with work hardening that make it a process to be avoided in some situations. The metal will be somewhat less ductile after treatment, making it unsuitable for manufacturing some types of products. Also, great strength is required as part of the process, whether using heat or cold. The directional properties of the metal can also be negatively affected, another factor which can make the metal unusable for certain purposes. For this reason, work hardening can be desirable, based on the nature of the products that will be made from the metal, or it can be completely undesirable as an event that occurs unintentionally during a manufacturing process.
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