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Material Selection for Metal Stamping

American Industrial Company provides high-quality metal stamping services for organizations across critical industries, such as aerospace, automotive, appliance, electrical, mining, and more. Metal stamping is at the heart of the manufactured metal products vital to these sectors.

Material selection is the first and most important step in creating effective, cost-efficient metal stamping products. Learn more about American Industrial Company’s material selection, the factors we consider for every project, and the metal stamping capabilities we provide.

Material Selection

Material selection is the foundation of successful metal stamping projects. It must consider various factors simultaneously to produce the best outcome. At American Industrial, we recognize the importance of choosing the right stamping materials. We work closely with our clients to provide a tailored approach to material selection so that their components meet all unique project needs.

Expert Consultation and Guidance: Our team of industry professionals have extensive experience and knowledge in metal stamping. We can advise your project from beginning to end, optimizing every step depending on the specific demands of your industry.
Evaluating Project Requirements Against Material Properties: American Industrial adopts a meticulous approach to evaluating project requirements against the unique characteristics of different materials. This method of evaluation guarantees that the chosen material is a perfect fit for the project’s technical specifications and regulatory compliance needs.

Factors Considered During Material Selection

American Industrial considers the following critical factors during the material selection process:

Project Application and End Use: The first thing we look at is the material’s ability to meet a client’s application and end-use requirements. We delve deep into the details of a project and tailor material choices to optimize functionality and performance. For example, for a consumer electronics project, American Industrial will help choose materials with the desired electrical conductivity as well as weight and aesthetic requirements for a better end-user experience.
Material Durability and Strength: The materials picked should be able to withstand the mechanical stresses of their application and maximize the longevity of the assembly.
Cost-Effectiveness: In addition to considering the functionality of specific materials, we also help clients choose the best option depending on their budget. American Industrial recommends materials that offer good machinability and produce minimal waste. This approach balances cost-effectiveness with product quality and integrity.
Environmental Factors and Corrosion Resistance: Another important aspect to consider is the operating conditions of the metal parts. The material should be able to withstand environmental challenges to guarantee longevity and functionality in its intended application. For example, for metal stampings in the food and beverage industry, we use stainless steel for its corrosion resistance, hygienic qualities, and strength.
Material Availability and Lead Times: We ensure that the chosen materials are readily available with short lead times for projects with tight deadlines. This prevents delays in the project timeline, allowing for a seamless and efficient production process without compromising final product quality.

Benefits of Utilizing American Industrial's Material Selection Services

American Industrial’s material selection services help customers to achieve the following:

Product Longevity and Performance: Each material selection enhances the overall lifespan of the final product or assembly. For example, in manufacturing components for solar panels, we choose materials that can withstand prolonged exposure to sunlight and weather without breaking down or requiring frequent maintenance. This guarantees optimal performance throughout the solar panel’s operational lifespan.
Cost Savings Through Optimal Material Utilization: Strategic material selection means choosing the material that will meet the project’s performance and cost requirements. Our approach to material selection aims at minimizing costs without sacrificing the quality and integrity of the stamped products.
Streamlined Production Processes with the Right Material: Our selected metal stamping materials streamline our customers’ production processes, enhancing overall project efficiency and success.

Carbon Steel Stamping

Carbon steel primarily consists of iron and carbon, with trace elements of chromium, titanium, cobalt, nickel, and others that enhance specific properties. Durable and widely available, carbon steel is a popular metal stamping material for various industrial applications.

The key benefits and capabilities of carbon steel metal stamping include:

Cost-Effectiveness: Carbon steel stamping is a cost-effective solution for various applications that require high-strength components.
Formability: It has high formability, which means the materials can be stamped and shaped precisely to specific design requirements.
Versatility: Low-carbon steel is ideal for pipelines, gears, structural beams, and axels. High-carbon steel is often used to produce hand drills, woodcutting tools, saws, and other sharp tools at high production volumes.

American Industrial specializes in precision carbon steel metal stampings, with a past project that includes a chromate-plated custom bracket for the automotive industry. These brackets were intended to secure vehicle floor mats. We designed soft tooling from cold rolled steel, welded the components, and coated the brackets with a clear zinc chromate plating to protect them from corrosion. The customer approved our prototypes, which allowed us to proceed with successfully fulfilling their entire order with a three-week turnaround.

Non-Ferrous Metal Stamping

Non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum, copper, zinc, and lead, do not contain iron, which gives them distinct characteristics that suit specific applications. These key features include:

Electrical Conductivity: Non-ferrous metals, particularly copper and aluminum, exhibit excellent electrical conductivity, which makes them ideal for the production of electrical components or wiring.
Corrosion Resistance: Non-ferrous metals like aluminum and brass are inherently corrosion-resistant. They make a good choice for outdoor applications or environments with high humidity, ensuring the longevity and durability of stamped products.

Stainless Steel Stamping

Stainless steel is an alloy that includes chromium and nickel. This gives it exceptional strength and aesthetic appeal, key requirements in material selection for metal stamping.

Here is an overview of the key benefits of stainless steel stamping parts:

Corrosion Resistance: Stainless steel is popular for its high resistance to corrosion, which offers longevity and reliability for applications exposed to harsh environments.
Durability: It’s durable and retains high tensile strength under low and high temperatures, contributing to the longevity of parts and reducing the need for frequent maintenance.
Aesthetic Appeal: Beyond functionality, stainless steel’s aesthetic appearance makes it a preferred choice for architectural and decorative applications.

American Industrial’s expert team has successfully completed numerous stainless steel stamping projects for diverse industries, such as brush terminal clips for wind turbines, custom switches for the power tool sector, and shallow draw golf ball stencils for the recreational industry. We utilize a variety of stamping techniques for these applications, including shallow drawing, piercing, coining, blanking, bending, and forming. Every step of the stamping process benefits from close monitoring through our proximity sensors, infrared lasers, load tonnage monitors, and fiber optics.

Partner With American Industrial for Your Metal Stamping Needs

American Industrial excels in metal stamping material selection and ensures that each material chosen aligns precisely with project requirements, guaranteeing optimal functionality. Partnering with us not only guarantees part longevity and performance but also helps customers save money over the course of their application’s useful life.

For every metal stamping project, we evaluate factors such as project specifications, cost-effectiveness, environmental considerations, and lead time to deliver the best results. Contact us for more information, or request a quote today to get started on your custom metal stamping project.

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