Rolling: Rolling is a deformation process in which material is forced between two rollers to change its form. The rollers can either have smooth surfaces, in which case the only effect is the reduction of the thickness of the material, or they can have a shape, which causes the material to take on that shape.

Forging: Forging uses pressure to compress the workpiece and change the shape of the material. The piece is compressed between two dies, which force it into the desired shape. Forging can be performed while the material is hot or cold.

Extrusion: In extrusion the work metal is forced to flow (pushed) out of a die opening which causes it to take the shape of the opening as its own cross-section. It is later cut to the desired length.

Wire and Bar Drawing: Drawing is very similar to extrusion in that the wire or bar is forced to take on the shape of the die opening. In this process, however, the material is pulled through the opening.