Definition of Cold Forming
Cold heading manufacturing, which primarily includes cold heading dies and punches, is a multi-step process used to form metal parts at room temperature. Unlike other metal fabrication processes, hammers and dies form metal at high speeds without heating the material. A large coil of wire is fed into the billet and drawn through a wire drawing machine. A wire drawing machine compresses the material to the desired diameter. Then it goes into the cold heading machine.
Inside a cold heading machine, the blanks are struck between a die and a punch block, pushing the material into the die to form the desired shape. Generally two common techniques called Upsets and Extrusion are used to press the material into the mold. Using the upsetting method, the punch block extrudes the metal from the die to create a larger head than the original blanks.
Benefits of Cold Forming
Cold heading fasteners are efficient and of good quality and can help save money and materials. However, this process requires the use of high-quality raw materials. Using cold heading for your parts reduces material waste.

The various advantages of cold forming include:
- Fast Production: The cold-forming process is a high-speed operation. According to statistics, it produces about 100 parts per minute on average use. The speed creates consistent quality and precise results.
- Added Strength: Cold forging increases the strength of the cold-hardened part. When a material is designed or shaped without cutting or heating, its original structure is holded on. Grains flow along the contour of the part, giving it strength.
- Reduced Energy Consumption: Unlike hot forging, the cold forging process does not need additional energy to heat the material for production.
Cold Heading Dies
Tungsten carbide cold heading dies with different grades are widely used for manufacturing nuts, screw caps, bolts, cans and many other products.
Grade | Density g/cm3 | Hardness HRA | T.R.S Mpa | Application |
YG11 | 14.4 | 88.5 | 2600 | Forming or stamping dies for metal powders and nonmetal powders |
YG15 | 14 | 87.5 | 2800 | It is suitable for drawing steel tubes and rods under high compression ratio, manufacturing upsetting, punching and stamping tools under large stress |
YG20 | 13.5 | 85.5 | 3200 | It is suitable for manufacturing punching dies for watch parts, leaf spring of musical instrument, battery jars, small sized steel balls, screws, screw caps, etc |
YG16C | 13.9 | 85.5 | 2900 | It is suitable for impact-resistant forging dies |
YG20C | 13.5 | 83.5 | 3300 | It is suitable for wear resistant or impact resistant dies |
YG25C | 13.1 | 81.5 | 3000 | It is suitable for stainless screw dies and semi-finishing rollers |
Our factory is equipped to make tungsten carbide heading die inserts and forging dies blanks in all sizes up to a maximum outside diameter of 250mm. We maintain good supplies of our tungsten carbide raw material in stock and aim to supply the as-sintered die inserts and blanks on a short delivery lead time as required.
UKO cold heading dies’ features:
- Strong Mould R&D team. Supporting product customization as per specific requirements, ensure high working efficiency with good product quality.
- Successful cooperation case. Cooperating with clients in domestic and abroad like, and get good feedback from them.
- Professional engineers serve for clients, recommend products and grades as per your applications.
- 100% raw material for production.
- Various sizes, carbide grade and full types available.
- Competitive price with on-time delivery.