Select the Most Suitable Metal Stamping Material

In metal stamping services, metal materials are the basis of the entire process. Each metal stamping material has its own unique physical and chemical properties, which directly affect the performance presented during processing. For example, factors such as the strength, ductility, corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity of different metals can have an important impact on the quality of the final product. Therefore, when choosing the right metal stamping material, we need to take these factors into account to ensure that the selected material can meet the specific application needs.

In this guide, we will discuss some of the factors to consider when choosing the right metal stamping material, as well as the properties and applications of several common metal materials.

Factors for Selecting Metal Materials

When choosing metal stamping materials, the following factors usually need to be considered:

• The use and performance requirements of the product: for example, whether it is used to withstand heavy load or light load, whether it needs good electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, etc.
• The strength and hardness of the material: This affects the durability of the product and the difficulty of processing.
• Malleability and plasticity: determines whether the material can be smoothly deformed without breaking during the stamping process.
• Cost: includes the price of the material itself and the cost of processing.
• Size and shape complexity: Complex shapes may require materials with specific properties.
• Surface quality requirements: such as finish, roughness, etc.
• Wear resistance: important for some parts with frequent friction.
• Weldability: If the product requires subsequent welding processing, the weldability of the material needs to be considered.
• Material supply stability: Ensure continuous and stable access to required materials.
• Environmental requirements: Some applications may have requirements for the environmental performance of the material.

Materials Commonly Used in Metal Stamping Services

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an alloy material, mainly composed of iron, chromium, nickel and other elements. It is characterized by good corrosion resistance and can effectively resist corrosion in air, water and some chemical media. In addition, stainless steel also has a certain strength, hardness and wear resistance, while the processability and weldability are also relatively good. This makes stainless steel one of the most commonly used materials in metal stamping services.

According to its different organizational structure and chemical composition, stainless steel can be divided into a variety of types, such as austenitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel and martensitic stainless steel, each type in performance and use are different.

Application examples of stainless steel stamping parts:

• Kitchen utensils: such as stainless steel sink, pot handle, cutlery, etc.
• Medical devices: such as surgical instruments, shells and parts of medical devices.
• Electronic equipment: including cell phone casings, computer radiators, metal parts of electrical appliances, etc.
• Auto parts: such as exhaust system parts, door lock parts, decorative strips, etc.
• Architectural decoration: such as stainless steel handrails, railings, decorative panels, etc.
• Chemical equipment: such as reactor parts, pipeline connectors, etc.
• Furniture: such as stainless steel tables and chairs of the frame, metal connectors.
• Aerospace field: certain structural parts and connectors.
• Food processing equipment: such as food conveyor belt parts, food processing equipment shell, etc.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a silver-white light metal, with low density and light weight characteristics, but also has good electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and ductility. These properties make it a factor in metal stamping material.

Common aluminum materials include pure aluminum and aluminum alloys. Aluminum alloy is the addition of other elements (such as copper, magnesium, zinc, etc.) to aluminum to improve its performance, so as to meet the needs of different uses.

Application examples of aluminum stamping parts:

• Automotive field: such as automobile engine cylinder head, radiator, hubcap, door interior panel, etc.
• Electronic equipment: including laptop case, mobile phone frame, radiator, etc.
• Aerospace: Skins, structural parts, connectors, etc. of aircraft.
• Lighting: housing and reflectors of luminaires.
• Household items: such as aluminum tableware, table and chair parts, aluminum picture frames, etc.
• Power equipment: distribution box shell, electrical connectors, etc.
• Sports equipment: bicycle parts, structural parts of fitness equipment, etc.
• Packaging industry: cans of cans, etc.

Copper

Copper, often referred to as pure copper, is a metal material with a very high amount of copper. It has excellent electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, ductility, corrosion resistance, as well as non-magnetic, weldability and plasticity.

Application examples of copper stamping parts:

• Electronic connectors: Used to connect various electronic components and circuits.
• Electrical connectors: such as conductive parts in power plugs and receptacles.
• Radiator assembly: helps to dissipate heat from electronic or mechanical devices.
• Sealing gaskets: used in situations where good sealing and electrical conductivity are required.
• Musical instrument parts, such as soundboards or parts in certain Musical Instruments.
• Electrical contacts: ensure a good circuit on and off.
• RF connector: used for transmission and connection of high-frequency signals.
• Small hardware parts: such as screws, nuts, etc.

Brass

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It not only has excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and machinability, but also its strength and hardness are higher than that of pure copper, while still maintaining a certain ductility and plasticity.

Application examples of brass stamping parts:

• Plumbing fittings: such as elbow, tee, pipe joint, etc.
• Hardware tools: such as wrenches, head of screws, etc.
• Electrical connectors: such as shrapnel in a socket, the contact part of a plug.
• Musical instrument parts: keys and connections in Musical Instruments such as trumpet and saxophone.
• Lock parts: including lock core, lock tongue, etc.
• Clothing accessories: such as brooches, buttons, etc.
• Instrument accessories: such as some small structural parts in instruments.
• Mechanical parts: such as small gear, shaft sleeve, etc.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is an alloy composed mainly of iron and carbon, with a carbon content usually between 0.02% and 2.11%.

Carbon steel according to the different carbon content, can be divided into low carbon steel, medium carbon steel and high carbon steel. Low carbon steel toughness and plasticity is good, strength and hardness is low; Medium carbon steel has high strength and hardness, while still has a certain toughness and plasticity; High carbon steel has high hardness, but relatively poor plasticity and toughness.

Application examples of carbon steel stamping parts:

• Auto parts: such as body covering parts, chassis parts, engine support, etc.
• Mechanical parts: such as gears, shaft sleeves, flanges, etc.
• Hardware tools, such as the handles of wrenches and screwdrivers.
• Building structural parts: such as connectors, supports, etc.
• Electronic equipment housing: Some electronic equipment metal housing may be made of carbon steel stamping.
• Furniture accessories: such as table and chair connectors, metal decorative parts, etc.
• Utensils, such as parts of a stove, handles for POTS, etc.
• Pipe connector: elbow, tee, etc., for pipe system.

Metal stamping services at TenRal

TenRal understands the characteristics of each metal stamping material, including its physical and chemical properties, processing properties and performance in different application scenarios. Our technical team has extensive experience and can provide professional consulting services to help you analyze and select the most suitable metal stamping materials. In addition, we can customize solutions according to customer requirements, thereby optimizing production processes and improving product quality. Working closely with our customers, we strive to achieve the best results by providing efficient and reliable metal stamping solutions for a wide range of industries.