The Benefits of Using marine forging

Since its creation by Henri Wichard in , Wichard has specialized in forging stainless-steel parts. Forging has many advantages when it is used for the manufacture of stainless-steel fittings such as shackles, snap hooks and pad eyes.

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What is forging?

Forging as practiced by Wichard consists of heating stainless steel bars (called billets) in gas or induction ovens. Once the billet is heated, it is positioned on a tool (called a die) and crushed by another tool giving it its raw shape.

After the stainless-steel marine fitting part has been forged it undergoes several further stages of manufacture such as:

• Trimming to remove excess material,
• Tribofinishing to scrub any sharp edges and give a shiny look,
• Machining to make the holes, and the male and female threads
• Assembly to fit springs, for example, on snap hooks or swivels

Why should I choose a forged part for my boat?

On a sailing yacht, stainless steel fittings need to provide both mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. To ensure the safety of crew members, fittings such as shackles and snap hooks must also withstand fatigue, which means withstanding repeated forces, to avoid sudden breakage.

Forging has all these advantages! By heating the stainless steel without melting it, it helps to preserve the homogeneous structure of the metal. It also prevents the entry of impurities (foreign waste particles) and air bubbles. In addition it allows relatively compact parts to be produced.

Thus a shackle or snap hook forged by Wichard will have:

• Better mechanical strength
• Fatigue strength (repeated forces) preventing the part breaking suddenly.
• Better corrosion resistance
• Optimized size

Finally, forging remains an essentially manual job; the snap hook alone needs 21 production steps!

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Metal Forging Process

When buyers must select a process and supplier for the production of a critical metal component, they face an enormous array of possible alternatives. Many metalworking processes are now available, each offering a unique set of capabilities, costs and advantages. The forging process is ideally suited to many part applications; however, some buyers may be unaware of the exclusive benefits available only from this form of metal forming. In fact, forging is often the optimum process, in terms of both part quality and cost, especially for applications that require maximum part strength, custom sizes or critical performance specifications.

There are several forging processes available, including impression or closed die, cold forging, and extrusion. However, here we will discuss in detail the methods, application and comparative benefits of the open die and seamless rolled ring forging processes. We invite you to consider this information when selecting the optimum process for the production of your metal parts.

A historical perspective on metal forging

To meet the changing needs of industry, forging has evolved to incorporate the tremendous advances in equipment, robotics, computers and electronic controls that have occurred in recent years. These sophisticated tools complement the creative human skills which, even today, are essential to the success of every metal forging made. Modern forging plants are capable of producing superior-quality metal parts in a virtually limitless array of sizes, shapes, materials and finishes.

During this hot forging process, the cast, coarse grain structure is broken up and replaced by finer grains. Shrinkage and gas porosity inherent in the cast metal are consolidated through the reduction of the ingot, achieving sound centers and structural integrity. Mechanical properties are therefore improved through reduction of cast structure, voids and segregation. Forging also provides means for aligning the grain flow to best obtain desired directional strengths. Secondary processing, such as heat treating, can also be used to further refine the part.

Forging can create a myriad of sizes and shapes with enhanced properties when compared to castings or assemblies.

Go to next section: The open die forging process

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