Hot forging is metal work process enables the manufacture of highly customized parts with complex geometries due to the large amounts of plastic deformation and the consequent increased ductility and decreased strength of the workpiece. The high temperature guarantees excellent component integrity by distributing the material throughout the forged part and eliminating inclusions. All metallic materials (ferrous and non-ferrous) can be forged in hot condition and thus, hot forging process is the most common and well-known forging process.

Hot forging process is performed at a higher temperature than the recrystallization point of the work metal, thus avoiding strain hardening. Secondary process of heat treatment is required on the parts after the forging, to optimize the metallurgical structure and obtain the required mechanical properties. To limit large dimensional tolerances, and the generation of scale and surface contamination a strict control of atmosphere furnaces are used.   Hot forging remains the only available and high-quality manufacturing process for complex shapes, heavy-weight components and high-duty alloys.

Hot forging can be Drop forging or Press forging, based on the complex and type of parts to be forged. Drop forging is carried out on drop hammers and press forging is carried out on Hydraulic and Crank presses.