Kinetic energy is the energy of any object due to motion. In metallurgy, kinetic energy describes the energy of moving metals when performing actions like forging, rolling, or machining, which uses motion to specifically improve the shape or properties of the metallic object.

Key Features:

• Energy of Motion: Any object that is moving possesses some degree of kinetic energy, from a hammer impacting hot steel to that of a slab being transported through rolls.
• Dependence on Mass and Speed: The amount of kinetic energy is dependent upon both the mass of the object and the square of the object's velocity. Thus, with more mass and/or velocity, there is an observable and associated increase in kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy is central to several manufacturing processes such as forging, rolling, stamping, and impact testing. Kinetic energy is transferred from hammers and presses to heated metal in the forging process, assisting in the shaping of metals, even when cracks or defects are present. Even rolling sheets and bars of metals in motion have kinetic energy to help reduce thickness as well as refine a metal's grain structure.