Overview of 1. forging

1. Definition and classification

Forging refers to a processing process that uses forging machinery to apply pressure to metal blanks to produce plastic deformation of metal blanks to obtain forgings with certain mechanical properties, shapes and sizes. The essence of forging is the processing process of using the plastic deformation of the metal to change the shape and performance of the metal blank and become a qualified forging. Its fundamental purpose is to use the applied load (impact load or static load) to produce plastic deformation of the metal blank through the forging equipment, so as to obtain the required shape and size of the forging, and at the same time make the mechanical properties and internal organization of the forging meet certain technical requirements.

2. Industry characteristics

Compared with other metal forming processes such as casting, machining, welding, powder metallurgy, etc., the forging process can optimize metal properties by changing the metal microstructure, provide structural integrity unmatched by other metal processing processes, and provide forgings with higher directional toughness and optimal metal texture flow lines. Therefore, the forged forging products have the characteristics of high bearing capacity, long life and strong adaptability to harsh working conditions, and can be widely used in wind power, chemical industry, machinery, shipbuilding, nuclear power, aerospace, military industry and other industries.

2. development background

Forging industry is the basic industry of high-end equipment manufacturing industry, which is of great significance to the development of national economy. Forging products, as the key basic components necessary for the equipment manufacturing industry, serve the optimization and upgrading of China's manufacturing industry, and belong to the subdivision field encouraged and supported by the state. The production of various key forged parts is the basic guarantee for the innovation and development of high-end equipment, which is related to the security and stability of the supply chain of the equipment manufacturing industry, and provides a solid support for China to accelerate the new industrialization and build a manufacturing power. Various ministries and departments in charge have formulated a number of policies to support the development of the forging industry, encouraging production enterprises in the forging industry to take the initiative to carry out structural adjustment, technological upgrading and product innovation, guiding enterprises to learn from the advanced experience at home and abroad in the face of new competitive pressure, update development models and concepts, seize the opportunity of industrial adjustment and development transformation, and enhance international competitiveness.

3. industry chain

1. Industrial chain

Steel mills, steel mills, alloy material smelting enterprises, etc. These companies provide raw materials for the forging industry, such as billets, alloy steels, stainless steels, high-temperature alloys, and titanium alloys. Forging products as a key basic component necessary for the equipment manufacturing industry, its downstream is mainly wind power, chemical, machinery, shipbuilding, nuclear power, aerospace, military and other industries of complete equipment manufacturers, and ultimately serve the national economy and defense industry related industries.

2. Downstream of the industrial chain

The wind power industry has high requirements for the precision, performance, life, reliability and other technical indicators of forging products. Among them, the wind power spindle is one of the core forging components of the wind power machine. The future development trend of the total capacity of wind power generation will affect the wind power equipment. The installed capacity plays a decisive role, and then affects the market demand for wind power spindle forgings. According to the statistics of the National Energy Administration, China's new wind power installed capacity in 2023 was 75.90GW, with a compound growth rate of 21.61 from 2016 to 2023.

Development Status of 4. Forging Industry

1. Forging production in China

With the rapid development of my country's wind power, chemical, machinery, shipbuilding, nuclear power, aerospace, military and other forgings downstream application industries, my country's forging output has also shown a continuous growth trend, and my country has also become the world's largest forging producer. In 2022, China's forging production will reach 13.155 million tons, with a compound growth rate of 4.39 from 2016 to 2022.

2, China's free forging production.

In 2022, China's free forging production will be 4.829 million tons, with a compound growth rate of 6.44 from 2016 to 2022. Under the background of the vigorous development of wind power industry and the increasing demand for large-scale equipment in chemical, aerospace, nuclear power and other fields, China's free forgings, especially high-end large-scale free forgings, have a broad market space.

Related report: The Huajing Industry Research Institute issued 《In-depth market research and investment planning recommendations for China's forging industry from 2024 to 2030》

5. Forging Industry Competition Pattern

1. Industry competition pattern

Metal forging products are widely used in various industries such as electric power, chemical industry, automobile, shipbuilding, aerospace, metallurgy, machinery, etc., and they have different degrees of customization characteristics and a wide range of categories. Therefore, there are a large number of enterprises in the forging industry, usually focusing on their own A few specific industries or products with competitive advantages, the market is relatively scattered and the competition is fierce.

2. Introduction of key enterprises

The forging business of AVIC Heavy Machinery involves many industries at home and abroad, such as aviation, aerospace, electric power, shipbuilding, railway, construction machinery, petrochemical industry, automobile and so on. Domestic products are mainly aircraft fuselage wing structure forgings, small and medium forgings, aero-engine disc shaft and ring forgings, small and medium forgings, aerospace engine ring forgings, small and medium forgings, gas turbine blades, nuclear power blades, high-speed rail accessories, mining scrapers, automobile crankshafts and other products. Foreign products are mainly GE, Luo Luo, IHI, ITP and other companies supporting engine forgings, Boeing, Airbus and other companies supporting aircraft forgings. In 2023, AVIC Heavy Machinery realized operating income of 10.577 billion yuan, up 0.07 year-on-year, of which forging and casting business realized main business income of 8.36 billion yuan.

Development Trend of 6. Forging Industry

1, the production scale of the world's leading, forging capacity continued to improve.

After decades of exploration and tempering, China's forging industry has achieved a leap from scratch, from small to large, from weak to strong. In 2022, China's forging output will reach 13.155 million tons, making it the world's largest forging producer. With the overall rapid development of my country's high-end equipment manufacturing industry, under the long-term and continuous R & D investment of domestic forging companies, my country's forging companies have made great progress in technology and forging capabilities, and have continuously made breakthroughs in many key forging fields. The production level of key products continues to improve, and it also actively participates in international competition with its own excellent technical strength. Through the unremitting efforts of the whole industry, China has developed into a forging power with certain international competitiveness.

2. The forging capacity of some high-end products still needs to be further broken through and the development space is wide.

From the perspective of the global forging industry, Germany, the United States, Japan and other countries are in a leading position in raw materials, equipment level, forging technology and technology, and can produce large-size, high-precision, high-performance forging products. It is still more competitive in the high-end application market. There are a large number of forging companies in my country, and the competition is fierce, but most forging companies are mainly engaged in the production of ordinary carbon steel, alloy, stainless steel, the processing capacity of special alloy materials such as high temperature alloy, titanium alloy, aluminum alloy and magnesium alloy is insufficient, the technical content and added value of products are relatively low, and the process level is relatively backward. In recent years, with the strong support of the state for the high-end equipment manufacturing industry and the important basic parts industry, the domestic forging industry has gradually developed in the direction of "specialization and innovation", and has begun to have the forging production capacity of special materials such as high-temperature alloy, titanium alloy and aluminum alloy, For example, the lightweight technology of forged aluminum alloy has been applied in the automotive field, and titanium alloy has been widely used in aerospace, military industry, petrochemical, high-speed rail and other fields.