The Most Common Metals Used in Metal Stamping
Metal stamping is a cold forming process that utilizes dies and stamping presses to stretch and form sheet metal into a specified shape. The metal stamping process involves placing flat sheet metal, in either coil or blank form into a stamping press. While in the press, a punch pushes the metal into a die to form the metal into a finished component.
The most common metals in metal stamping include Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Low Carbon Steel, Copper and Brass.
Aluminum
Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal that is relatively affordable and has an excellent strength to weight ratio which allows for parts to be durable and strong yet lightweight. Another advantage of using aluminum in metal stamping is that it is corrosion resistant and non-toxic. It has the added benefit of not requiring a coating during the finishing process, although it can be anodized to enhance its appearance and improve its corrosion resistance. Aluminums lightweight strength is critical to the automotive and aerospace industries where excess weight elimination improves fuel economy.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a ferrous metal that contains high levels of chromium, molybdenum, and nickel. Stainless steel offers desirable characteristics for metal stamping including corrosion resistance, non-magnetic, very good wear resistance, no need to plate, and heat-treatable.
Stainless steel is typically chosen for metal stampings when used in aerospace and defense, lawn and garden sealing equipment and plumbing and HVAC industries.
Click here to read more on how to get precise deep drawn stainless steel enclosures…
Low Carbon Steel
Low carbon steel materials are available in both flat sheets and coils. Low carbon steel provides several benefits for metal stamping, including being a low cost, high strength material. It can be used to manufacture a large variety of parts at a low piece price. Low carbon steel is a very durable metal and is commonly used in sealing technologies, automotive and lawn and garden applications.
Copper & Brass
Copper is easily formed, making it perfect for fast production of one-piece seamless components, and is compatible with cold forming processes, which work hardens the metal. Copper is a low maintenance durable metal that resists corrosion and has natural hygienic properties, which make it suitable for applications in the medical and food and beverage industries.
Brass is a copper-zinc alloy that retains many of copper’s beneficial characteristics. Brass has a smooth surface, is corrosion resistant and offers conductivity that makes it suitable for a wide range of electronic applications.
Choosing the Right Material for Deep Draw Metal Stamping
Adaptable and efficient, deep draw metal stamping is a suitable metal forming method for parts with high depth to diameter measurements and high volumes. A wide range of metals can be used in the deep draw process. At Prospect Machine Products, we can produce high-quality deep dawn parts from a range of different metals summarized below (but not inclusive).
- Stainless Steel 304, 305, 310, 316– Stainless steel is an ideal material for many uses, offering a range of resistances to corrosion, high temperatures, and low temperatures as well as high strength, strong aesthetic appeal, and ease of fabrication.
- Cold Rolled Steel 1008-1010– Cold rolled steels have good drawability, good strength, and great versatility for a variety of coatings, all at a very low cost.
- Aluminum 1100, 2024, 3003, 5052, 6061– These aluminum alloys feature good drawability, great corrosion resistance, and low cost. Aluminum 6061-0 can be heat treated for high strength.
- Brass 85/15 and 70/30– Brass 85/15 (red brass) and 70/30 (yellow cartridge brass) have good drawability and solderability.
- Copper C110– Copper is corrosion resistant, particularly malleable and offers very good dimensional repeatability. Because of the softness of copper different wall thicknesses can be achieved.
- Nickel Silver– corrosion resistance, high conductivity, springiness and strength, excellent soldering ability, the ability to be stamped or etched.
Benefits of Using The Deep Draw Metal Stamping Process
Deep draw metal stamping offers several significant manufacturing advantages as it can produce simple, intricate, or complex parts in fast, cost-efficient batches while adhering to stringent design specifications with a high degree of accuracy.
Deep Drawing from Prospect Machine Products is a great solution for any metal forming process that requires one or more of the following:
- Seamless parts: deep drawn parts are created from a single piece of sheet metal.
- Fast run times: large quantities of products are easily manufactured through deep drawing
- Deep drawing delivers remarkable detailing and precision
Work with Metal Stamping Experts
For over 70 years, PMP has worked with customers over a wide range of industrial sectors to provide cost-effective, high quality deep drawn solutions in a variety of metals. We will get you your part at the right time and at the right cost.
To find out if deep drawing is right for your next project, contact us for a quote or book a meeting today!
