Stainless steel stamping

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron and carbon with the addition of chromium. This makes it stainless, as it is naturally coated with a protective film: chromium oxide. Known for its intrinsic characteristics, it proves to be suitable for the electromedical sector, food contact materials, household appliances and more. The version with added nickel (austenitic stainless steel) has greater corrosion resistance, and is particularly suitable for cold metal forming, especially deep drawing. Let's discover its properties together. 

Corrosion resistance

Its special resistance to corrosion is because it is naturally coated with a layer of chromium oxide, which protects the underlying material from iron oxidation (rust). 

Stainless steel therefore lends itself to use in wet and corrosive environments. 

There is more than one stainless steel

To perform stamping using stainless steel, it is necessary to know the properties of all the different grades of this metal. These are the key ones.

Austenitic: renowned for its corrosion-resistant qualities and for its use in the electromedical and food-contact sectors.

Ferritic: resistant to corrosion at high temperatures, it is especially suitable for boilermaking. 

Martensitic: stainless steel that is hard and wear resistant, particularly suitable for tools and cutlery. 

Duplex: a material that manages to combine mechanical strength with corrosion resistance. Suitable for demanding applications.

Versatility

• Stainless steel is also universally known for its many applications. Some sectors in which it is used are: 

• Food, in manufacturing kitchen and food-contact utensils;

• Chemical and petrochemical, due to its corrosion resistance;

• Biomedical-pharmaceutical, in production of sterile surgical instruments and hospital equipment with high hygiene standards;

• Infrastructure and building, for facade cladding that is functional, resistant to extreme weather and with aesthetic impact; 

• Decor, furniture

• Small and large household appliances

• Automotive, in production of mechanical and aesthetic parts

• Nautical, for its resistance to marine corrosion. 

It is advantageous to choose a material such as stainless steel for stamping for a number of reasons. 

Its resistance to oxidation and corrosion make it particularly suitable for the electro-medical and food-contact sectors.

Its aesthetic appearance is valued for use in small and large household appliances, furniture, and more.  

Some types of stainless steel lend themselves to deeper and heavier deformation than other materials. 

Stainless steel combines this property with high mechanical strength.

Each type of stainless steel has a corresponding deformation technique. Techniques that Minifaber knows very well. 

How we perform stainless steel stamping in Minifaber

The stainless steel stamping process in Minifaber consists of a series of steps that are essential for successful processing. 

First, the die design is takes account of the properties of the stainless steel chosen for the customer's application. 

The design team is responsible for actually making the die from the technical specifications of the project.

Then, the metal is cut and shaped so that it is ready for stamping. 

When cold stamping stainless steel, the material is placed inside the die at room temperature so that it is formed without the use of heat sources. 

Finally, a rigorous inspection is carried out on the semi-finished product, which is cleaned and finished to achieve the highest quality standards.