Material Characteristics and Treating Materials Used for Precision Metal Stamping in Minneapolis, MN

March 1st, 2017 · No Comments

At Thomas Engineering Company, we work with the highest quality metals that we know our customers would choose for their parts. Selecting the best materials allows us to manufacture the best products. With each part we stamp, we use the specific material that would best fit the function of that part. By highlighting durability, strength, flexibility, and corrosion resistance—among other attributes—Thomas Engineering Company performs precision metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN with materials that continually outshine others.

When it comes to preparing materials to use in precision metal stamping, TEC engineers first look at the basic characteristics of the metal, including physical and chemical properties and the surface attributes. These characteristics vary both from metal to metal and between the different metal treating processes. For example, steel is commonly used for most metal stamped parts, and its characteristics change with treatments.

Steels that are frequently used for a wide range of purposes includes mid-strength steels, high strength steels, and stainless steels.

The characteristics of mid-strength steels (also referred to as mild or drawing steels) are created with a mixture of 0.04% carbon, 0.25% manganese, and several smaller amounts of other metals. The mixture of separate metals is very small in mid-strength steels, and often 99% of the alloy is iron, the main element in most steel compounds. The addition of more metals in these steels gives improved strength but lessens formability and weldability.

High-strength steels offer a greater range of metals compounded into the steel alloy, which provides a greater variety of characteristics from steel to steel. This can mean greater plasticity and improved weldability, formability, and strength. Heat treating and other treatments done after the alloying of the metal offer even more room for changing characteristics to suit the function of the material.

Stainless steel is known for its primary characteristic of being resistance to corrosion and oxidation. Most stainless steels contain 10% chromium in the form of a chromium-based oxide surface coating that blocks the steel’s contact with corrosion-conducive conditions. Not only do stainless steels have greater resistance to corrosion, they also provide low yield strength, high impact strength, and rapid hardening. Their flexibility and plasticity is improved by the alloying of nickel, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, and traces of other metals. And if you require the absolute best quality powder coating supplies in the UK then have a look there as they are easily the best that I have found.

While steel is the most frequently used material for its wide range of characteristics, there are many other metals that serve their own purposes with different characteristics and options for treatment. For more information about the materials we use at Thomas Engineering Company for precision metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN, contact us at (763) 533-1501 today.

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