How was the armour made?

I know that the quality of the armour differed from nation to nation but how was armour made?

Cast and maybe face hardened I assume. Some nations cast entire turrets/hulls (sections) while others made 'plates' and bolted, riveted or welded them together into hulls and turrets.

But did anyone use forged armour? I don't think so. It looks like too much of an effort.

And assuming equal armour quality, a turret cast in one piece is superior to one made from plates welded together, isn't it?


I'm asking because I was at the museum at Munster again and the guy presenting the various AFV - an actice duty Lt-Col- did manage to confuse me.

 

More oriented towards ships than tanks but there are some good articles here:
http://www.navweaps.com/index_tech/index_tech.htm

 

WW2f - Cast Vs, Rolled Steel Tank Armour