[TheForge] Re:forging aluminum

Wed Oct 9 22:38:01 2002

a few more questions about forging alum.
after power hammering texture on it cold can it be annealed ?
I did get to play around today with some ,but didn't get to try annealing
I was quite surprised with the results I got from running 1/2 " through the
flat dies in the Beaudry .cold
most of the design I am working on is straight but there are a few  bendsin
it. Is it better to bend hot or anneal and bend cold?
----- Original Message -----
From: Bruce Freeman <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 1:37 PM
Subject: [TheForge] Re:forging aluminum

Aluminum can be forged very nicely, but be aware of a few things:
1) It conducts heat like mad.  Tongs are essential.
2) It's forging temperature is below a visible heat.  Use a piece of wood
(pine, or what have you) as a "crayon" � when it marks black, the metal is
hot enough.  To hot, you'll crumble the piece � or melt it!

Any two different metals brought into imtimate (electrical) contact can
galvanically corrode when wet.  This is usually a problem only if the metals
are significantly different.  E.g., steel and cast iron can be considered
the same metal.  Aluminum forms a highly protective surface oxide, so may
NOT be a problem, despite its very high activity.  To be on the safe side,
don't let metals touch (make electrical contact) if they're likely to be in
a wet environment.  For example, join all alluminum parts together with
aluminum rivets or screws.  Where aluminum is to be joined to steel or
bronze, drill and oversized hole and put a sleeve around the steel or bronze
screw.

Bruce
NJ

>>> "thermoss" <[email protected]> 10/07/02 06:31PM >>>
I am in the process of designing a trellis in a art deco style .In order to
cut down on weight I am thinking of using aluminum any tips on forging
aluminum? I am thinking of just light surface treatment basically .
I've never really hammered allum.  heat or no heat? if I use brass or bronze
as an accent is there a reaction between the metals I should be aware of?
thanks.
.

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