Stamping Materials Introduction
Stamping materials refer to metals, plastics, and ceramics that are often used for stamping parts manufacturing. Each material has different characteristics and advantages, so for specific projects, the best choice of materials needs to be made in terms of considerations such as cost, safety, and performance.
Metals
Metals are the most commonly used materials for stamping processes, and it is often the first choice for many engineering projects.
Steel is the most widely used stamping material. It is most often used in processes like deep drawing, stretching, and powder metallurgy. In addition, steel is also widely used in punching, embossing and bending. Common types include cold rolled steel, hot rolled steel and galvanized steel.
Aluminum is also a commonly used stamping material. It is easy to deform and has many advantages such as being lightweight, corrosion-resistant and having good thermal conductivity. Common processes such as simple punching, embossing, bending and stretching can be performed as well on aluminum materials.
Brass and copper are two ferrous metals that exhibit excellent electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. They are often used for making gaskets and contact parts due to their benefits in the areas of resistance to corrosion, good elasticity and ductility.
Plastics
Plastics are often used for manufacturing parts that require lighter weight, better insulation properties and corrosion resistance. Some commonly used plastics materials for stamping processes include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC) and polyamide (PA).
Polypropylene is a relatively inexpensive material with excellent mechanical properties and chemical resistance, making it a good choice for stamping processes like deep drawing, punching and embossing.
Polyethylene is a flexible material that is used to produce parts with high flexibility and tear resistance. Its thickness can be adjusted easily which makes it ideal for applications like food packaging and pumps.
Polyvinyl chloride is a versatile material with good chemical resistance, making it a suitable material for stamping processes like injection molding and extrusion molding.
Polycarbonate is a tough material which is often used for producing tough yet lightweight components such as automotive parts.
Polyamide is a hard wearing material and it exhibits excellent wear resistance. Its low moisture absorption properties make it ideal for parts that operate in damp environments.
Ceramics
Ceramics have recently become popular as materials for stamping operations due to their relatively high strength, durability and heat resistance. Typical ceramics include alumina and zirconia.
Alumina is an inorganic non-metallic material and is often used for producing parts with strong wear resistance, hardness and corrosion resistance. Alumina ceramics are often used in stamping processes such as pressing and deep drawing.
Zirconia is a ceramic material with superior strength and thermal conductivity. It is often used for manufacturing parts with high accuracy such as turbine blades and power tool accessories. It is also used for processes such as injection molding and powder molding.
Conclusion
There is a wide range of materials available for various metal stamping applications. Depending on the specific project, the best material can be chosen from the above list or a combination of the materials which best suits the requirements of the end product. It is important to consider the strengths and limitations of the material and its costs before making the final choice.
