What is cold working in metal shaping?

Cold working in metal shaping refers to the process of deforming metal at or near room temperature. This method enhances the metal's strength through strain hardening while maintaining its shape and dimensions without the need for heating. When metals are subjected to cold working, they experience changes in their crystalline structure, resulting in increased dislocation density, which contributes to improved mechanical properties such as hardness and tensile strength.

It's important to note that cold working allows for precise shaping and finishing of metal products, which is beneficial in various applications where high strength and fine tolerances are required. In contrast, other processes that involve shaping metal at elevated temperatures or after melting lead to different effects on material properties and may not provide the same advantages as cold working.