In materials processing, what does the term 'forming' refer to?

In materials processing, 'forming' specifically refers to the shaping of materials through mechanical deformation. This process involves applying external forces to a material, causing it to undergo changes in shape and size without altering its phase or chemical composition. Various techniques such as forging, rolling, bending, and extrusion exemplify this definition of forming.

The focus on mechanical deformation emphasizes that the material retains its integrity but is altered in form, which is crucial in manufacturing components with specific geometries or dimensions. This is distinct from processes like cutting, which involves removing material to achieve a desired shape or size, or heat applications that typically intend to change material properties such as hardness or ductility. Additionally, combining different materials refers to methods like welding or adhesive bonding, which are separate from the fundamental concept of forming as purely shaping a single material through deformation.