A Research and Markets report claims that by 2027 the global metal stamping market will have grown to $250 billion. With demand increasing and evolving tools and new materials for precision metal stamping, the industry must equally adjust to meet the demand. Today’s metal rolling techniques are more progressive than conventional hand processes, but manufacturers face recurring problems during production.
A recurring problem includes metal cracking, typically seen along the edges during hot and cold rolling. This may be due to uneven heating or rolling, but other metallurgical factors should also be considered.
Austenitic stainless steel is a meta-stable type, which will alter deformation, initiating a martensitic phase. Austenitic stainless steel also has a high cold hardening index (0.34% for SS). The martensite phase is brittle and prone to cracking.
Throughout plasticity deformation, with the increase of extension, the martensitic content will expand, and the residual stress will also be enhanced. The greater the relationship between residual stress and martensite content, the greater the residual stress, making it more likely that cracking will occur during processing.
Like most challenges that arise during precision metal stamping, the most significant way to negotiate cracking is to establish and tackle the root cause. Partnering with a precision reroll mill with metallurgical expertise can be a massive help for stampers in evaluating the root cause and resolving these issues.
Types of Steel Used for Precision Metal Stamping
Manufacturers can employ a range of metals in precision metal stampings. However, some processes and types of metals are likely to perform better during the precision metal stamping process or may be a more appropriate fit for a specific application use.
Hot rolled steel is cooled quickly after being roll-pressed at high temperatures, resulting in a rough surface. For applications that demand closer dimensional tolerances and accuracy, sheet metal is further processed at room temperature using cold finishing techniques.
When the metal is put under mechanical stress during the cold rolling process, it leads to a permanent change to the metal’s crystalline structure. This increases strength and typically leads to better corrosion resistance.
A cold-rolled stainless steel coil can be precision manufactured, enabling the metal to be fabricated within extremely tight tolerances. Precision stamping itself utilizes stamping dies to form metal. This process is generally performed at room temperature, making it a cold process.
Read more: The Challenges of Precision Metal Stamping
