Hot forming fluids

In hot forming and forging processes, lubricating fluids play a crucial role in reducing friction between the material and the tooling, limiting die and mold wear, improving cavity filling, and facilitating the release of the workpiece. Furthermore, they help control die surface temperatures, thereby extending tool life and ensuring superior final product quality.

The lubricants used vary depending on the material being processed and the process temperature:

For the forging and hot forming of steel, lubricants based on graphite dispersed in water or oil are primarily used, owing to their high-temperature resistance and excellent anti-wear properties.
For aluminum alloys—which are more sensitive to surface contamination and are processed at lower temperatures than steel—synthetic lubricants, aqueous emulsions, waxes, and graphite-free products are predominantly used to ensure a high-quality surface finish.
For copper and brass alloys, lubricants based on synthetic or mineral oils (with or without graphite additives), emulsions, or special high-temperature coatings are employed to ensure effective lubrication without compromising the material's surface quality.

The choice of lubricant depends on the alloy being processed, the operating temperature, the complexity of the deformation, and the process's quality and productivity requirements.