Hot working is a metal forming process carried out above the material’s recrystallization temperature.
At this elevated temperature:
- The material is softened, making it easier to deform plastically.
- New grains continuously form as the material is deformed, preventing strain hardening.
- The material can be shaped into complex forms without cracking.
In contrast, cold working occurs below the recrystallization temperature, which leads to strain hardening and increases in strength but reduces ductility.
Thus, the defining feature of hot working is that it occurs above the recrystallization temperature, allowing extensive plastic deformation without work hardening.