• forming technology
• forming technology (without metal-cutting)
• metal-cutting machining
• surface processing and
• material property modification

Forming technology includes casting technology. Forming technology involves the plastic processing of metals whilst retaining the mass of the workpiece and the workpiece cohesion. Semi-finished products are usually produced by forming, from which finished products are produced using final, for example metal-cutting machining. Typical forming processes are separating, forging, cold and hot rolling, extrusion, deep-drawing, wire drawing and pressing.

In the case of metal-cutting machining, the mass of the workpiece is reduced during the engagement of the metal-removing tools (turning tools, drills, milling tools, grinding tools, broaching tools amongst others). The material cohesion is also disturbed.

In the case of surface processing (surface finishing) and in the case of material property modification (e.g. hardening, tempering, soft annealing), essential aspects of materials engineering also play a part.