When you’re planning a stamping project—whether for prototypes or mass production—one of the most critical decisions is choosing the right material. The material you pick directly impacts the stamping process’s success, the final product’s performance, and even your costs. So, what materials can be used for stamping? In this guide, we’ll break down the most common stamping materials, their key properties, real-world applications, and how to choose the best one for your project. By the end, you’ll have all the info you need to make an informed material choice.
1. The Most Common Materials for Stamping
Stamping works best with metals that have good plasticity (the ability to deform without breaking) and are easy to shape with presses and dies. Below are the top 5 material categories, along with their subtypes, key specs, and practical uses.
1.1 Mild Steel: The Affordable, Versatile Choice
Mild steel (also called low-carbon steel) is the most widely used stamping material—and for good reason. It has excellent plasticity (so it bends and shapes easily) and one of the lowest costs among stamping metals.
Key specs to know:
- Carbon content: Less than 0.25% (this low carbon level keeps it soft and easy to stamp).
- Tensile strength: Typically less than 650 N/mm² (lower strength means it requires less force to shape).
- Common grades:
- SPCC (JIS standard): A cold-rolled mild steel often used for simple stamped parts like brackets or panels.
- 1010 (SAE standard): A low-carbon steel ideal for parts that need bending, like furniture frames or tool handles.
Real example: A manufacturer making 10,000 metal brackets for office chairs chose SPCC mild steel. The material’s plasticity allowed for easy bending into a 90° angle, and its low cost kept the total project budget 30% lower than if they used stainless steel.
1.2 Stainless Steel: The Corrosion-Resistant Option
If your stamped parts will be exposed to water, chemicals, or outdoor conditions, stainless steel is the way to go. It contains chromium (at least 10.5%), which forms a protective layer that prevents rust and corrosion.
Key specs to know:
- Corrosion resistance: High (works in humid, wet, or chemical-rich environments).
- Plasticity: Good (but slightly less than mild steel—requires a bit more stamping force).
- Common grades:
- SUS304: The most popular grade, used for food-grade parts (like stainless steel bowls) or outdoor hardware (like patio furniture brackets).
- SUS430: A more affordable stainless steel, often used for decorative parts (like appliance trim) that don’t need extreme corrosion resistance.
Real example: A company producing stamped parts for outdoor grills used SUS304 stainless steel. Even after 2 years of outdoor use, the parts showed no rust—unlike mild steel, which would have corroded within 6 months.
1.3 Aluminum & Aluminum Alloys: The Lightweight Solution
When weight reduction is a priority (e.g., in automotive or aerospace parts), aluminum and its alloys are perfect for stamping. Aluminum is 1/3 the weight of steel but still has good strength and plasticity.
Key specs to know:
- Density: About 2.7 g/cm³ (much lighter than steel’s 7.8 g/cm³).
- Plasticity: Excellent (especially when annealed, or heat-treated, to soften it).
- Common grades:
- 1100: Pure aluminum (soft, easy to stamp) used for parts like aluminum foil containers or decorative trim.
- 6061: An aluminum alloy (with magnesium and silicon) used for stronger parts, like automotive wheel spacers or bike frames.
Real example: An electric car manufacturer used 6061 aluminum alloy for stamped battery housing parts. The material cut the housing’s weight by 50% compared to steel, helping the car achieve a longer driving range.
1.4 Copper & Copper Alloys: The Conductive Choice
For parts that need electrical conductivity (e.g., in electronics or wiring), copper and copper alloys are unbeatable. Copper has the highest electrical conductivity of any metal, plus good ductility (it can be stretched and shaped without breaking).
Key specs to know:
- Electrical conductivity: ~58 MS/m (the highest among common metals).
- Ductility: Very high (can be stamped into thin sheets or small, intricate parts).
- Common grades:
- Pure copper (C11000): Used for electrical connectors or battery terminals.
- Brass (copper-zinc alloy): Stronger than pure copper, used for parts like switch plates or plumbing fittings.
Real example: A smartphone maker used pure copper for stamped charging port connectors. The material’s high conductivity ensured fast, reliable charging—critical for consumer electronics.
1.5 Metal Sheets: Pre-Formed Materials for Easy Stamping
Many stamping projects start with metal sheets—flat, thin pieces of metal that are ready to be fed into stamping presses. These sheets come in various materials and thicknesses, making them convenient for mass production.
Common types of stamping metal sheets:
- SECC (electro-galvanized steel sheet): Steel coated with zinc for rust resistance, used for computer cases or appliance panels.
- SGCC (hot-dip galvanized steel sheet): Steel with a thicker zinc coating, used for outdoor parts like HVAC ducts or fence posts.
- Aluminum sheets: Available in grades like 1100 or 6061, used for parts like sign panels or lightweight brackets.
- Copper sheets: Thin sheets used for electrical parts like transformer windings or printed circuit board (PCB) components.
Real example: A laptop manufacturer used SECC electro-galvanized steel sheets to stamp laptop chassis parts. The zinc coating prevented rust, while the sheet format allowed for fast, automated stamping (producing 500 chassis per hour).
2. How to Choose the Right Stamping Material: 4 Key Factors
With so many options, how do you pick the best material for your project? Focus on these 4 critical factors:
- Plasticity: The material must be able to deform without breaking. Mild steel, aluminum, and copper have great plasticity—avoid brittle metals (like cast iron) for stamping.
- Hardness: Softer materials (like mild steel or pure aluminum) are easier to stamp (require less press force). Harder materials (like stainless steel alloys) may need heat treatment first.
- Thickness: Thicker materials (over 3 mm) need more stamping force and stronger dies. Thin sheets (under 1 mm) are faster to stamp but may require more support to avoid bending.
- Application Requirements: Ask: Will the part be exposed to corrosion? (Choose stainless steel.) Does it need to be light? (Choose aluminum.) Does it need to conduct electricity? (Choose copper.)
3. Yigu Technology’s View on Stamping Materials
At Yigu Technology, we know that choosing the right stamping material is make-or-break for a project. We’ve helped 400+ clients—from automotive suppliers to electronics brands—select materials that balance performance, cost, and processability. For example, we advised a home appliance client to switch from mild steel to SECC sheets for their washer panels: the SECC’s zinc coating added corrosion resistance, while keeping costs low. We also provide material testing (e.g., checking plasticity or strength) to ensure the chosen material works with our stamping dies. Ultimately, the best stamping material isn’t just the “best” on paper—it’s the one that fits your project’s unique needs.
FAQ: Common Questions About Stamping Materials
Q1: Can I use plastic for stamping?
Stamping is primarily a metalworking process—most plastics are too brittle or flexible to handle the pressure of stamping presses. For plastic parts, we recommend injection molding instead.
Q2: Is thicker metal better for stamping?
Not necessarily. Thicker metal (over 5 mm) requires more stamping force, stronger dies, and may slow down production. Choose the thinnest material that meets your part’s strength needs—this will save time and money.
Q3: How do I know if a material is suitable for my stamping project?
Start by listing your part’s key requirements (e.g., corrosion resistance, weight, conductivity). Then, work with a stamping expert (like Yigu Technology) to test small samples of the material—we can run trial stamps to check for cracking, deformation, or fit issues before full production.
