Tips for Deep Drawing Stainless Steel

Manufacturing with stainless steel provides many of the benefits of steel without the high potential for rust and corrosion. The chemical composition of stainless steel includes at least 10.5% chromium, as well as iron, nickel, and manganese. When exposed to air, the chromium in stainless steel oxidizes, creating a protective layer that is highly resistant to moisture and corrosion. There are a wide range of stainless steel types, each categorized based on their molecular composition and structure.

Stainless Steel Type 201/201L

Stainless steel type 201 features a lower percentage of nickel than other stainless steel blends. This makes it less expensive, but also less corrosion-resistant. A higher manganese content makes stainless steel 201 stronger than other blends and allows it to retain strength and dimensional stability even in extremely cold environments. It is an excellent option for durable, inexpensive components in cold applications where exposure to corrosion is minimal.

Stainless Steel Type 316/316L

Stainless steel type 316 is distinguished by its higher nickel and molybdenum content. Type 316 exhibits extreme resistance to corrosion and moisture in comparison with other stainless steel alloys but is also more expensive due to its high nickel content. It holds up particularly well to salt water and chlorides, which makes it useful for marine components, stainless steel floats, and medical devices.
 

Stainless Steel Type 409

Stainless steel 409 is a temperature-resistant blend of stainless steel with a higher iron content. This ferritic stainless steel contains 11% chromium, which provides good corrosion resistance. However, its greatest benefit lies in its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures. Although Type 409 exhibits a greater level of corrosion-resistance than coated iron alloys, it is less resistant than most other stainless steels. Light rust may eventually form with extended exposure to moisture or corrosive elements.

AM350 Stainless Steel Alloy

AM350 is a stainless steel alloy that contains nickel, chromium, and molybdenum. Unlike other stainless steel blends, AM350 can be heat treated to enhance formability or strength, depending on the needs of the application. Heat treatment processes used to enhance AM350 include annealing, hardening, sub-zero cooling, and double aging. Annealed AM350 exhibits a higher degree of formability, while maintaining good strength and corrosion resistance.
 

Alloy 20

Alloy 20 is a unique blend of nickel, iron, and chromium with a niobium stabilizer. The unique chemical composition of Alloy 20 makes it especially corrosion-resistant, particularly in the face of corrosive chemicals. Its ability to withstand extreme corrosion makes it ideal for a wide variety of harsh application environments, including:

• Chemical and petrochemical processing
• Food, beverage, and dye production
• Heat exchangers
• Explosives
• Tanks and valves
• Synthetic rubber and plastics manufacturing
• Pharmaceuticals
• SO2 scrubbers and other extreme environments

Deep Drawing Stainless Steel

Stainless steel offers a number of unique benefits over other materials, but those characteristics can make it a challenge for deep drawn metal stampings. Drawing stainless steel requires a greater level of force than other common drawing materials because it work-hardens faster. In addition, the layer of oxidized chromium that gives stainless steel its characteristic corrosion resistance also creates a higher level of friction between the steel and the die, which also contributes to a need for more force.

When performed correctly, stainless steel drawing yields products and components with high corrosion resistance, exceptional tensile strength, and superior resistance to a wide range of temperatures.
 

Common Components and Applications of Deep Drawn Metal Stampings

Deep drawing is a metal fabrication process that involves the use of a die and punch to create components from sheet metal. The deep drawing process is characterized by the creation of products and components that are deeper than their diameter. Repeated impacts from the punch will force the material into the shape of the die, creating durable, hollow, box-shaped or cylindrical components. Deep drawing is used to create components from a wide range of materials, including aluminum, copper, brass, steel, and stainless steel.

The primary benefit of deep drawn stamping is the speed with which the equipment can be used. This highly versatile process can be used to create a wide variety of components, from simple cylinders to intricate shapes for specialty applications. The seamless nature of deep drawn products makes them airtight and waterproof, and the compression process creates exceptionally strong components with a hardened crystalline structure.
 

Deep Drawn Stamping from Hudson Technologies

At Hudson Technologies, we are committed to providing the highest quality deep drawn components in the industry. For more information on our extensive portfolio of deep drawn stamping solutions, visit our Core Capabilities page or download our Turnkey Solutions eBook. To learn about ways that Hudson Technologies can help with your next project, contact us today or request a quote.