Glowing metal component during hot forming at Heggemann, showcasing advanced solutions for aerospace-grade alloys and complex geometries

Hot Forming Excellence

Advanced forming solutions for aerospace-grade alloys and complex geometries.

What is Hot Forming?

Precision Under Heat:
The Hot Forming Process

Hot Forming is an advanced forming method where metal is heated prior to shaping—making even high-strength alloys easier to form.

Forming complex geometries with high-temperature precision

At HEGGEMANN, we use Hot Forming to shape materials that are otherwise difficult to process—ideal for aerospace-grade applications requiring exact tolerances and advanced shapes.

Die quenching for enhanced material strength

By integrating forming and rapid cooling, our process improves the mechanical performance of metallic parts—achieving both structural integrity and high strength in a single step.

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Aerospace Applications

High-Performance Forming for
High-Performance Materials

Aerospace manufacturing demands materials with exceptional mechanical properties—strength, low weight, and thermal resilience. However, these benefits often come with trade-offs: limited formability and high material costs.

HEGGEMANN applies Hot Forming to shape precisely such challenging alloys into complex, lightweight components. Compared to conventional machining, the process offers significant material and time savings — especially in small series where tooling costs are quickly offset by efficiency gains.

Materials for Hot Forming

Engineered for the Toughest Materials

Hot Forming is particularly suited for materials that cannot be shaped efficiently at room temperature. By applying targeted heat, even highly resilient alloys can be formed into complex geometries with minimal material loss and improved mechanical performance.

At HEGGEMANN, we apply hot or Semi-Hot Forming processes to the following aerospace-grade materials:

Titanium Alloys
e.g. Ti-6Al-4V
Excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion-resistant, ideal for aerospace structures.

Nickel-Based Superalloys
e.g. Inconel
High thermal stability and creep resistance for engine components and high-temp zones.

High-Strength Aluminum Alloys
(Semi-Hot Forming)
Used for lighter structures—formed at lower temperatures to preserve material integrity.

High-Strength Steel Alloys
Superior strength and fatigue resistance, suitable for structural and load-bearing parts.

Customer Benefits at a Glance

More Performance. Less Material Waste. Maximum Precision.

Hot Forming unlocks clear advantages for aerospace components made from high-performance materials—technically, economically, and functionally.

Ultra-light titanium aerospace bracket with complex geometry, enabled by Heggemann hot forming and integrated heat treatment

More Design & Function

Complex geometries, custom properties
Hot Forming enables difficult shapes in titanium and high-strength steels—while process-integrated heat treatment enhances strength, ductility, and hardness.

Near-net-shape hot formed aerospace part with minimal material waste, demonstrating up to 70% savings at Heggemann

Maximum Efficiency

Material savings up to 70%
Thanks to near-net-shape forming, even costly high-performance alloys are used more efficiently than with traditional machining.

Precision hot formed thin-walled aerospace component with zero residual stress, ensuring certified quality at Heggemann

Reliable Quality

Ultra-thin structures, zero compromise
High dimensional accuracy, minimal residual stress, and excellent reproducibility make Hot Forming ideal for aerospace-grade lightweight parts.

Why HEGGEMANN?

Unique Capabilities in Aerospace-Grade Hot Forming

With over six decades of aerospace experience, HEGGEMANN offers an unmatched combination of technological depth, certified quality, and integrated manufacturing capabilities—all tailored for high-performance forming solutions.

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Unique Capabilities

  • In-depth material expertise for aerospace alloys
  • Inhouse generation of material data up to 950 °C for accurate process simulation
  • Proprietary die quenching process for titanium→ Enables ultra-light structures with 20% higher strength
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Certified Excellence

  • 65+ years of aerospace manufacturing experience
  • aerospace qualified Hot Forming processes
  • Inhouse metallography, non-destructive (NDT) and destructive testing (DT)→ Ensuring compliance with the most demanding aviation standards
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Fast & Fully Integrated

  • Fully digitalized process chain including Hot Forming simulation
  • Inhouse tool design and toolmaking
  • One-stop shop for installation-ready components
    → From material to certified part – all under one roof
Key Account
Hot Forming

Reach out today to discuss your Hot Forming needs and receive a customized quote.

Portrait of Dr. Thomas Meyer, Head of Engineering at Heggemann, from concept to certified aerospace solutions
Dr. Thomas Meyer
Head of Engineering

Engineering intelligence – from concept to certified solution.

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