How to choose materials when metal stamping?

The choice of common materials from various metals and metal alloys depends on the requirements of the part. Factors in material selection include formability, weldability, corrosion resistance, strength, weight and cost.

The following are typical metal materials:

Stainless steel

Two types of stainless steel are used in metal pressing and stamping manufacturing - standard parts and spring-shaped parts.

1. Standard stainless steel can be any non-magnetic stainless steel in the 300 series steel, which is the most commonly used type of stainless steel. No thermal processing or other stress relief is required during manufacturing. Grade 316 stainless steel is the most corrosion-resistant stainless steel and retains its strength at high temperatures. Grade 304 is the most widely used stainless steel. Although it has slightly poor corrosion resistance, it has good formability and weldability.

2. The standard magnetic stainless steel used for processing is the 400 series. Grade 410 stainless steel has poor corrosion resistance but can be heat treated. Grade 430 stainless steel is an inexpensive alternative to other stainless steel options and is used in applications where corrosion resistance is not a primary requirement, such as scrubbing equipment surfaces. Because these materials tend to deform elastically rather than plastically, they must bend excessively to reach their final shape.

3. Spring steel will harden rapidly during processing and must be heated to release stress during forming. Grades include 301, 17-4, 1095 and 1075. Spring-shaped stainless steel often requires specialized equipment and processes, and must be bent excessively to achieve its final shape.

cold rolled steel

The process of cold-rolled steel is used to give hot-rolled steel a smooth finish and maintain tighter tolerances when formed. Cold rolled steel is available in 1008 and 1018 alloys.

Pre-plated steel

  The metal sheet material is hot-dip galvanized steel or galvanized steel, which is annealed after galvanizing.

aluminum

  Aluminum is an affordable material that is available in a variety of grades to suit application requirements. Grade 1100 is relatively low strength, but is chemical and weather resistant, weldable and ductile, allowing deep drawing. Grade 3003 is stronger, formable, weldable, corrosion resistant and affordable. Grade 5052 is stronger while still being formable, weldable and corrosion resistant. Grade 6061 is a corrosion-resistant, high-strength but non-formable structural alloy. It is weldable, but some strength is sacrificed when welding.

Copper/brass

  Designers and engineers who want a "red" metal often choose electrolytic hard pitch (ETP) copper, C110 or C101. In less common cases, brass is used as an alternative.