Choosing the Right Metal Stamping Material - Kenmode, Inc.

30 Jun.,2025

 

Choosing the Right Metal Stamping Material - Kenmode, Inc.

Precision metal stamping is one of the most popular manufacturing processes for various industrial applications because it is quick, accurate, and repeatable as well as being a versatile, cost-effective metal forming process. When creating complex parts through metal stamping, it is imperative to choose the best raw materials for your application. Consulting with metal stamping specialists early in the process can help you evaluate the materials to ensure the material has the right properties to fit your needs.

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How to Evaluate Materials for Metal Stamping

Selecting the correct material for your needs involves evaluating specific properties of the material such as:

  • Thickness and width of the material
  • How well metal stamping can form to specifications using that material
  • How the part will perform in the application and the operating environment
  • Material cost and availability

The properties of the metal also need to be considered. Those properties include:

  • Tensile strength
  • Elongation
  • Elasticity
  • Conductivity
  • Heat capacity
  • Corrosion resistance
  • Weldability
  • Machinability
  • Formability

Types of Metal

When you're choosing the correct metal for your metal-stamped parts, it's vital to understand which properties make the metal appropriate for the work it will be doing. Different metals have distinctive properties that make them suitable for specific uses. There are four categories of metals: ferrous, non-ferrous, precious metals, and noble (or other) metals.

Ferrous

Ferrous metals contain iron within the compound. These metals are magnetic, and they have limited resistance to corrosion.

Depending on the properties of the ferrous metal, you'll find it used in various industries including construction, agriculture, appliance, automotive, and medical.

Steel in its various forms is included in the category of ferrous metals. 

HOT ROLLED STEEL

  • cost-effective
  • strong
  • durable
  • dense
  • holds up under constant use
  • holds up under stress
  • typically used in applications that do not rely on pleasing appearance
COLD ROLLED STEEL
  • cost-effective
  • adaptable
  • suitable for various applications
  • available in grades with high load-bearing abilities
  • more controlled surface quality

STAINLESS STEEL

  • resists extreme temperatures
  • resists corrosion
  • available in various grades
  • dependable
  • strong
  • easy to manufacture
  • aesthetically pleasing

HIGH-TENSILE STEEL (high strength low alloy HSLA)

  • contains low amounts of carbon
  • added alloying ingredients increase durability
  • ductile and malleable
  • resists corrosion
  • resists extreme temperatures
  • can be treated to improve hardness levels

LOW CARBON STEEL

  • available in various grades
  • ductile
  • easily machined
  • easily welded
  • typically used when high levels of corrosion resistance are needed

MEDIUM CARBON STEEL

  • has amid-range amount of carbon
  • typically alloyed with other metals to enhance toughness
  • strong
  • wear resistant

HIGH CARBON STEEL

  • has the highest amount of carbon
  • stronger than low- or medium-carbon steel
  • heat treatment enhances metal’s hardness

SPRING STEELS

  • available in several grades
  • can be heat treated or coated to enhance properties and resistance to corrosion
  • often used in a soft or annealed state to allow for more intricate formations

Non-Ferrous

Non-ferrous metals do not contain iron, which gives them a greater resistance to corrosion than ferrous metals. A major advantage of non-ferrous metals is that they are highly malleable, making them easier to shape and form using pressure.

Many industries use non-ferrous metal components including aerospace, marine, automotive, defense, and electronics.

Non-ferrous metals include:

ALUMINUM

  • dependable drawability
  • resists corrosion
  • soft
  • lightweight
  • sustainable
  • reflects light and heat
  • recycles easily
  • ductile and malleable
  • durable
  • alloy with other metals to increase strength
  • does not impart taste in packaging
  • prevents toxin leaks

COPPER

  • excellent electrical conductivity
  • ductile and malleable
  • has antimicrobial properties,
  • withstands a variety of corrosive materials (neutral saline solutions, alkalis, industrial atmospheres, water, and non-oxidizing acids)
  • has an appealing appearance

ALUMINUM-CLAD COPPER

  • combines aluminum and copper
  • versatile
  • strong
  • highly resistant to corrosion
  • ideal for electrical, mechanical, and thermal applications

ALUMINUM ALLOYS

  • lightweight
  • corrosion-resistant
  • flexible
  • malleable
  • excellent heat and electricity conductor
  • good strength to weight ratio
  • smooth
  • decorative finish
  • adhere to complex geometry
  • frequently used in the transportation industry for cost savings due to weight reduction

BRASS

  • a soft alloy of zinc and copper
  • malleable
  • resists corrosion and fresh water
  • fluctuating surface regularity
  • softness, corrosion resistance, and chemical reactivity depending on the ratio of zinc to copper in the alloy
  • attractive

PHOSPHOR BRONZE

  • a copper alloy made from copper, tin, and phosphorus
  • resists corrosion
  • elastic
  • malleable
  • has a high rate of electrical conductivity
  • strong

BERYLLIUM COPPER

  • malleable
  • doesn't spark
  • resistant to corrosion and oxidation
  • recyclable
  • easily made into complex shapes
  • improves tensile strength with heat treatment
  • an excellent conductor of heat and electricity

NICKEL ALLOYS

  • maintain properties under extremely high temperatures
  • resist high pressure
  • weld easily
  • resistant to atmospheric corrosion
  • strong, tough
  • most frequently used for metal-stamping production

Precious Metals

Precious metals are used in metal-stamping as a plating material or a coating. Limited availability and high cost make finding a stamping process that conserves precious metals a vital necessity.

Precious metals make good conductors of heat and electricity. They are used in the medical, electronics, and automotive industries.

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The four primary precious metals used in metal stamping are:

GOLD

  • very malleable
  • an excellent conductor of both heat and electricity

PALLADIUM

  • doesn't tarnish
  • an excellent conductor of both heat and electricity

PLATINUM

  • soft and pliable
  • extremely resistant to corrosion and tarnishing

SILVER

  • the best conductor of electricity
  • tarnishes

Noble/Other Metals

In the noble and other metals category are those metals known to resist corrosion and oxidation. These metals also are known to be extremely durable.

The industries that make use of the noble and other metals are varied and include medical, aerospace, petroleum, defense, and electronics. From laser technology to medical implants, these metals have a multitude of uses.

TITANIUM

  • strong
  • resists corrosion
  • low-density
  • non-allergenic
  • non-toxic
  • sterilizes easily
  • heavier than aluminum
  • different grades available

MP35N

  • an alloy made of cobalt, nickel, and chromium
  • resists corrosion
  • strong
  • high hardness level
  • durable

NIOBIUM

  • hypoallergenic
  • good resistance to corrosion
  • withstands high temperatures well
  • ductile
  • durable
  • stable
  • reasonably lightweight
  • used in mixed alloys to help improve strength

Allow A Metal Stamping Expert Assist You in Choosing the Right Material for your Metal Stamping Projects

Each metal has unique properties that make it uniquely suited for specific applications. Choosing the right material for metal stamping requires understanding the different qualities of each metal as well as any drawbacks of using the chosen material. The very property that makes a metal desirable for one application may not work for metal stamping and vice versa.

When you are choosing materials for your project, speaking to an expert who is well-versed in the properties of each metal can help you avoid unnecessary costs and lost time. An experienced metal stamping team can guide you through each step of the process to ensure the high-quality results you expect.

Things To Consider When Designing Precision Metal Stamping Dies

Tips To Consider While Designing Precision Metal Stamping Dies

Precision metal stamping is an industrial design process that involves turning metal sheets into the needed sizes and shapes. It ensures a cost-effective and fast production of precision metal parts for vehicles, electronics, industrial engineering, airplanes, and more. Metal stamping dies are precision tools that aid in shaping and cutting sheet metal parts. 

These tools are developed through computer-aided design software to prove high accuracy and the best designs. The resulting designs are transferable to the stamping dies by skilled personnel known as diemakers. However, designing precision metal stamping dies involves some crucial factors you must adhere to.

What Is Precision Metal Stamping?

It’s a manufacturing or industrial process that uses high-end machinery fitted with dies to transform flat metal sheets into a coil or blank. These then form different custom shapes used in several industrial manufacturing processes. This process is mostly applicable in producing large numbers and various products. It’s applicable in two main stages:

  • A single-stage operation – in this stage, each stroke of the pressing produces a desired shape or design on the metal sheet.
  • A series of stages is where the metal press can produce several shapes on the metal sheet to meet the custom shape.

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Things To Consider When Designing Precision Metal Stamping Dies

When designing precision metal stamping dies, you need to ensure the production of precision metal parts. However, to ensure you get the best result, you can dwell on the following factors:

1. Tensile Strength

This is the amount of force any material can withstand without breaking. Metals come in different strengths; some are pretty much stronger than others. This usually depends on the components of the materials in the metal alloy. The metal you choose to work with should have the strongest tensile strength. This is so that it can withstand any amount of force you apply while in use.

2. The Work Hardening Rate

The temper changes through metal stamping, making the metal more brittle or harder. The rate at which this process occurs is what’s known as work hardening. Depending on how much work you need to be done on the metal and in any operation, the metal may require annealing. This is the process of resetting the metal’s properties so that it doesn’t break or crack and prevents other material imperfections.

3. High Level of Quality And Quantity

The manufacturing industry faces increasing competition daily. As a result, this has pushed the precision metal stamping industries to focus more on quality and quantity. Therefore, meeting the accuracy specifications is an added advantage. Moreover, applying this to designing precision metal stamping gives room for achieving a high volume of exact specifications. This also makes precision metal stamping one of the most popular and preferred processes over others.

4. The Types Of Materials Used In Stamping

The materials used in precision metal stamping play a significant role. This is because it helps decide the amount of force necessary for cutting to achieve a desired shape or outcome. Some of the common materials you could use include:

  • Ferrous metals
  • Precious metals
  • Specialty metals,
  • Non-ferrous metals

5. Productivity And Run Times

Precision metal stamping has an amazing production rate and chances for incorporating any additional services in operation. In addition, the precision metal stamping process is automated; this can, in turn, produce hundreds of parts per hour. Therefore, productivity and run times play a huge role in ensuring efficiency in the long run.

6. Ductility And Formability

Forming and cutting are types of die-stamping operations. Forming usually occurs between the tensile strength of the material and the yield strength. If the yield strength is low, forming doesn’t occur. However, exceeding the tensile strength results in a material fracture. There is usually a small window between the tensile and yield when using high-strength materials. 

The grain size of a material determines its formability. A consistent grain size gives high desirability for the forming operations. On the other hand, the grain size is controllable by a re rolling mill within a close range. This is done by monitoring the annealing furnace temperature and the strip’s speed as it passes through the line.

7. Machinability

This is the ease by which a material can easily be shaped or cut. The machinability of the material you choose to work with should come after choosing other requirements that will satisfy your part. This is because the properties responsible for improving the material’s performance can easily reduce its machinability. For instance, a machinable material is easy to cut and gives a beautiful finish, reducing costs. However, you must choose a material that will meet all the requirements for your desired part rather than focusing on the machinable aspect of the material.

Precision metal stamping capabilities are common and preferred over other industrial processes. With your requirements in mind, you can create a personalized precision metal stamping effect that’s cost-effective, efficient, and effective to aid in driving your business to the next level.

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