Today, many industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, construction, and even medical rely on metal stamping manufacturers in creating good quality products and safe projects. No wonder why selecting the best materials for this process is essential. Aside from its accuracy, speed, and massive production, metal stamping is a cost-efficient and cost-effective metal forming process that can optimize for your specific needs.
In providing quality and investment-wise metal stamping products, we consider factors based on the application- the metals to be used, the appropriate type of metal stamping process, etc. After all, it is not just about shaping or forming. It is providing suitable material. In this article, we will guide you on how to choose the right metal stamping materials.
Learn about metals and their characteristics
Knowing the features we need for metal stamping is essential. It quickly gives us a broad understanding of the kind of metals we should choose. Here are the properties to consider in selecting the best materials for the application:
Corrosion resistance
It is the ability to resist the attack of atmospheric oxidation, moisture, chemical reaction, and other agents. Stress corrosion, pitting, and galvanic reaction are some of its forms. Many metals are corrosion resistant, while others are taking advantage of plating and coating.
One best example of this is copper- it does not rust. However, these are still subjective with the operational environment. For metal stamping, metals that can be stamped, bent, tooled, and formed without sacrificing corrosion resistance are a plus.
Ductility
Being ductile is the ability of the metal to deform and stretch without breaking or fracturing the material. This property is essential because it ensures that the metal can withstand the pressure of forming flat metals into various shapes. Compared with aluminum, stainless steel is more ductile and can be more useful in stamping.
Machinability
This feature allows the metal to be formed and shaped simultaneously- cutting the metal easily. Thus, making it a good choice for production efficiency and quantity. If we opt for a speedy process, we should choose machinable metals such as steel, brass, and copper.
Tensile Strength
Tensile strength measures the ability of the metal to withstand the amount of load it has before breaking. Also, it is the capability of the metal to be stretched or drawn out. Metals of this kind are primarily used in construction and automotive. Again, steel can be the best choice for metal stamping of products used in the said industries.
Weldability
Welding or joining of two metal parts of the same or different metal is one factor to consider. Before welding metals, we should review their ductility, electric conductivity, and strength, affecting the metal’s performance. As the process needs intensive molding, forming, and shaping, metal weldability is necessary.
We know that steel is an excellent option because of its versatility; it can be used with different welding processes. However, metal such as stainless steel can be welded, but it will require a greater cost.
Metals that are non-corrosive or corrosion-resistant, ductile, machinable, and can be welded and strong enough to be stretched are the best characteristics of metals we should use in metal stamping. It can make our work easier and cost-efficient. No less, no more!
Learn about different types of metal stamping
For each metal, there are specific techniques of metal stamping intended to achieve quality product and accuracy. Being familiar with these can save you more time and productivity. Here are our four (4) types of metal stamping that are widely used:
Sheet metal stamping
If you are forming simple shapes, this primary type of metal stamping is the right one. It is a cold-forming process with sheet metal as the workpiece. It does not require parts to cool off and makes it a great choice in producing thin-walled objects. Steel is the metal used here rather than aluminum.
Furthermore, sheet metal stamping requires shaping parts and not cutting them out, reducing production waste. It can be an economical and eco-friendly choice for stamping. Also, different processes are considered in this type, such as blanking, bending, flanging, embossing, coining, and stretching.
Progressive die stamping
Now, for more complex shapes or parts, we need progressive die stamping. It requires different stations to shape. Each station performs different functions that add up to what has been previously done. Using copper is highly recommended.
This stamping technique is used in the automotive and electronics industry, where mass quantities are needed. Pilots, blank position, blank boundary, and stretch-web deformation are factors that can contribute to meeting high-quality product demands.
Micro precision metal stamping
Precision metal stamping is common in forming three-dimensional designs. It requires accuracy for the benefit of the final product’s quality and control. Moreover, this technique of precision stamping can greatly benefit microstamping- wherein smaller parts need exceptional precision.
There are three (3) tooling methods in precision metal stamping:
- Soft tooling. This method is used for small production runs and requires a single-machine method only.
- Stage tooling. This method comes with several machines and with workers manually operating the workpiece between machines.
- Hard tooling. It is a fully automated method for high-volume production.
Deep draw stamping
If you need cylindrically shaped parts, this stamping process best suits your needs. Deep draw stamping requires a punching action repeatedly on the same workpiece until it reaches the desired depth. Compared with others, this technique is one of the fastest methods for high volume production. Brass, copper, and nickel are some of the metals used for deep draw stamping.
Types of metal for micro precision metal stamping
Aluminum.
It is known for its strength without being heavyweight. Aluminum is often used commercially- especially in the transportation industry, where weight reduction contributes to saving fuel costs. It has corrosion resistance enabling parts to last longer. Aside from its flexibility, aluminum produces a shiny and smooth finish of parts that require low maintenance.
Brass.
Due to its pleasing color and appearance, brass is highly used for decorative parts. It is also used for electrical and plumbing applications- offering low price points compared with copper. Brass is corrosive-resistant metal to freshwater, organic compounds, and atmospheric oxidation.
Copper.
It is mainly used for HVAC and electrical components, which are non-sparking and non-magnetic parts. Because of its flexibility, it is a great choice for metal stamping. It is a smaller and thinner metal that can produce precise and more complex shapes. However, copper is not suitable for strength application due to its softness.
Cold Roll Steel.
There are different types of steel- one of these is cold roll steel. Application of appliances and furniture commonly use this kind of metal. It is ideal for applications where precision is needed. Also, it is best known for being a ductile material- which is good in metal stamping.
Inconel Steel.
This type of metal is mostly used in metal stamping parts of chemical processing pipes, industrial fasteners, and medical devices. It is known for its durability and strength- some factors to consider in metal stamping. However, it can be expensive due to its components.
Stainless Steel.
Like other metals, stainless steel is highly corrosion-resistant. It offers durability, strength, machinability, and weldability components- making it one of the valuable metals in stamping. It usually applies to medical and food processor parts.
Yes, metal comes in different kinds, and not all are suitable for metal stamping. You have to calculate facts like the application, appearance, its pros and cons, etc., in choosing the right material.
Selecting the Right Materials for Your Metal Stamping Project
The metal stamping industry plays a vital role in the innovation and intervention of other sectors through its precise manufacturing and production method. With enough knowledge on how to shape and work with different metals, we can find the right materials acceptable for your product.
When choosing the material, think about your product’s requirements, such as weight, sturdiness, size, shape, and appearance. You also need to examine the cost and quantity of your product and how soon you need it. In addition, taking operational requirements into account is a must.
Having all of these calculated and planned, you will surely know what stamping process and what metal will work best for your product. In Gold Precision, our job is to help you reach your goals as a reliable metal stamping manufacturer.
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