What Are the Most Common Types of cold welding Work?

The cold welding process is simple and requires only a few tools, such as a hammer or a heavy, blunt object. By striking two pieces of metal together, they are welded. The force of the impact moves the metal parts far enough apart that they fuse when they come back into contact due to surface tension.

Cold welding offers benefits in situations where an electric arc welder or other support system is not available, such as on offshore rigs where electricity sources are not feasible.

What Are the Most Common Types of Cold Working?

There are several types of cold working, each with its own purpose. The four main categories are drawing over mandrel, bending, forming, and stamping. The type of cold working used depends on the metal’s flexibility and the amount of force it can withstand. Below are detailed descriptions of each of the four types of cold working.

Drawing Over Mandrel

The process of drawing over a mandrel involves pulling a piece of metal over a mandrel until it becomes thin enough to fit into a desired shape. The mandrel acts as a barrier between the metal pieces to prevent them from fusing under extreme pressure. This cold-working technique is commonly used in the production of coins, jewelry, and other objects that require thinness while maintaining durability.

Bending

When the metal is too thick to be drawn over a mandrel, bending is an alternative cold-working process. The first step is to position the metal pieces so that they are touching at their closest points, ensuring that the hammer does not touch either piece. Then, hit the two pieces together with force until they fuse. After this, one or both of the pieces can be bent in the desired direction.

Forming

Forming is another cold-working technique that involves bending two metal pieces together at their closest points without the hammer touching either piece. The pieces are then hit together with force until they fuse. The excess material is then removed, making it easier to assemble complex objects with multiple components, such as a car engine.

Stamping

Stamping is a cold-working process similar to drawing over a mandrel but without the use of a drawing die. Instead, stamping involves a planchet with a negative image of the desired object. The planchet is filled with wax and then hit with force from a hammer, leaving only the imprint of its shape. This technique is commonly used to create small objects such as coins, jewelry, badges, and buttons.