Forging Ingots: Frequently Asked Questions
Buying and technical questions
What is a forging ingot?
A forging ingot is a cast block of steel, poured into a mould and solidified, that a forge shop heats and shapes under a press or hammer into a finished or near-finished part. Forging ingots are cast with a hot top so the last metal to freeze sits above the usable body.
What sizes of forging ingots does Kesari Alloys supply?
Kesari Alloys supplies square, fluted and round forging ingots from M1.5 (about 1.45 tonne) up to M22 (about 21 to 23.5 tonne with hot top). The full table is on the ingot size chart page.
Which steel grades are available as forging ingots?
Carbon steel, alloy steel and stainless steel. Examples include EN8, EN9, EN19, EN24, EN31, SAE 4140, 4340, 8620, 42CrMo4, 20MnCr5, ASTM A182 F11 and F22, SS410, H13 and D2. Custom analyses are made to the customer's specification.
What does vacuum degassed mean for an ingot?
The molten steel is treated under vacuum before pouring to remove dissolved hydrogen and reduce oxygen and nitrogen. This lowers the risk of flakes and internal defects in heavy forgings. Kesari Alloys uses a ladle refining furnace and a vacuum degassing system, then bottom pours the ingots.
Why are ingots bottom poured?
Bottom pouring fills the mould from below through a runner system, so the stream is not exposed to air while it drops into the mould. This gives a cleaner surface and fewer inclusions than top pouring.
What is the difference between a hot top and a normal ingot?
A hot top is a refractory-lined feeder at the head of the mould that keeps the last steel molten so shrinkage forms in the feeder, not in the body. Hot top ingots give a larger sound portion and a better yield from a forging.
Do you supply IBR-approved forging ingots?
Yes. Kesari Alloys supplies IBR-approved forging ingots. Its published approvals include ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, PED 2014/68/EU, IBR and AD 2000 Merkblatt.
What test certificates come with the ingots?
Each heat is analysed on an optical emission spectrometer, with oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen checked on a gas analyser. A test certificate is issued with the supply. Third-party inspection can be arranged on request.
Can I get a custom chemical composition?
Yes. Send the grade, standard and any special limits, such as low sulphur, residual limits or hydrogen limits, and Kesari Alloys will confirm whether it can be melted and at what lead time.
How many ingots are poured from one heat?
It depends on the ingot mark. A heat gives 10 pieces of the smaller M1.5 ingot, 4 pieces of an M4 or M5, 2 pieces of an M7 or M9, and a single piece of an M13, M17 or M22. The full pieces-per-heat figures are in the size chart.
How do I request a quotation?
Send the grade, standard, ingot size or finished part drawing, quantity and delivery location to info@ksl.in, call +91 981 0112 977 or message on WhatsApp.
Do you export forging ingots?
Kesari Alloys supplies Indian forging companies and serves overseas requirements on enquiry. Mention the destination country and the standard when you request a quotation.