Material selection is one of the most critical aspects of any manufacturing process, and metal stamping is no different. That’s why it’s critical to know how to select the best precision metal stamping materials.
There are a few central considerations to make about your final product before manufacturing begins, so that during the design process, you’ll have the information necessary to select the appropriate materials. Winco Stamping’s guide on how to select the best precision metal stamping materials can help with the process of material selection to ensure the right choice is made every time.
Know Your Product’s Intended Application
Knowing your product’s intended application in terms of usage, environment, and other factors such as expected life cycle are critical pieces of information that can guide material selection. Here are some questions to ask your team and manufacturer that can help lead you in the right direction.
- Mechanical: What is the required yield and tensile strength of the material and the product itself? What type of impact resistance does the material need to have? Should there be a set level of stiffness?
- Forming: What is the draw bend? How many bend radii do we need to account for? What is the tightest tolerance we are going to feature?
- Environment: What harmful agents are going to be present where the product is going to be used? Does corrosion resistance need to be present in order to properly use the product?
- Functional: What level of conductivity, if any, does our product need to contain? Will any welding or secondary surface finishes need to be applied, and how will that impact the product?
Match Material Properties to Stamping Process
Once you have identified your product’s intended application and the necessary material properties, it’s time to match those properties to specific aspects of the stamping process. Here are six considerations to make when matching properties and the process.
- Formability and ductility
- Hardness and strength
- Work-hardening rate
- Thickness and tolerance
- Surface quality
- Microstructure
Secondary Considerations in Precision Metal Stamping Materials
One of the final major points to help guide you in precision metal stamping material selection is any secondary considerations to make that would take place after initial manufacturing. This might include:
- Coatings and platings
- Heat treatments
- Cleaning and lubricants
- Cost and supply
Need Help With Your Precision Metal Stamping Materials Selection? Contact Winco Stamping
Winco Stamping is an industry-leading expert in metal stamping manufacturing services. We work with numerous types of materials in our facility every day, including stainless steel, brass, copper, and many more.
Material selection is based upon what’s going to work in the product’s intended application and environment. Our skilled and experienced team of engineers and technicians has extensive experience in a wide variety of industries and will work with you to find a solution that’s ideal for you.
Contact Winco Stamping today for more helpful tips on material selection.
