Deep Drawing Stainless Steel: Process and Applications

Stainless steel components are used widely in many applications. There are different ways in which these components can be achieved– deep drawing stainless steel is a common method.

The guide below has detailed information on what is deep drawing stainless steel. So, let's read on.

What is Deep Drawing Stainless Steel?

The process of deep drawing consists of using flat sheets of stainless steel. These sheets are converted into three-dimensional components. The process uses a method of stretching the material over a die and helps to create complex parts. These components are composed of no joints or seams.

The Advantages of Stainless Steel Deep Drawing

Stainless steel deep drawing has multiple advantages, and some of these are as follows:

• The process is highly cost-efficient, has minimal waste, and can produce at a fast speed in a larger volume. The components manufactured do not need any welding or joining, and the simple shapes have low tooling costs.
• Deep-drawn stainless steel components have excellent strength and durability. They consist of uniform wall thickness and fatigue resistance, improving the performance and adding durability to the components.
• Due to minimal waste, the consumption of raw material is reduced, and also the process is highly energy efficient. Deep drawing makes it suitable for the environment, offering sustainability and environmental friendliness.

The Process of Deep Drawing Stainless Steel

The process of deep drawing stainless steel has various steps, and these are as follows:

Blanking: Blanking stage consists of cutting the sheet of acier inoxydable to the required size.

Lubrication: To reduce friction, the application of lubricant is important during the process.

Drawing: The pulling of the blank is then done by pushing on the die.

Redrawing: In cases where the shapes are complex, the process may be repeated.

Trimming: Once the final product is ready, the excessive material is removed, and the component is finished.

Material Properties Considerations for Deep Drawing Stainless Steel

When it comes to deep drawing stainless steel, some of the properties of the material that are considered are as follows:

Ductilité : Ductility of the material helps with deformation without fracturing.

Work Hardening: It helps to strengthen the material to make it strong enough during the process of deep drawing.

Résistance à la corrosion : The use of stainless steel helps to ensure that the component will have corrosion resistance in the harsh surroundings.

Aesthetic Appeal: Stainless steel offers an aesthetic appeal that makes the components look attractive.

Common Grades of Stainless Steel Used in Deep Drawing

There are different grades of stainless steel that are used in the process of deep drawing, and some of them are as follows:

304

Le 304 grade of stainless steel falls under austenitic stainless steel, and it offers excellent resistance against corrosion and is highly formable.

316

316 stainless steel also falls under the austenitic stainless steel, and it offers excellent resistance against chemicals, followed by high strength.

301

301 stainless steel grade offers a highly flexible stainless steel that can be used for complex shapes.

430

Grade 430 is a ferritic stainless steel that has excellent formability.

Tools and Equipment for Deep Drawing

The tools and equipment required for the deep drawing of stainless steel are as follows:

Presses

The process of deep drawing uses presses, which are either mechanical presses or hydraulic presses. Hydraulic presses offer precision in the process of deep drawing by offering control and adjustable speed, making it possible to produce complex components.

Mechanical presses are suitable for high-volume production as they offer consistency in force and short cycle times.

Perforations et matrices

Punches and dies help to shape the stainless steel in the process of deep drawing. The design of the die impacts the quality of the product, and if it is well designed, the flow of material is proper with no defects.

Selecting the right material is also crucial for the process of deep drawing. The ability to maintain shape and ensure wear resistance is significant for being used with punches and dies.

Applications of Deep Drawn Stainless Steel Components

Deep-drawn stainless steel components are used in different applications, and some of these are as follows:

Automobile : The components used in exhaust systems and fuel tanks of automobiles are made using deep drawing as they offer strength and durability.

Aérospatiale : Aviation components, like structural parts and engine components, require toughness and have complex shapes. Deep drawing is used for manufacturing them.

Médical : Medical parts, like implants and surgical instruments, are manufactured using the process of deep drawing.

Techniques to Optimize Deep Drawing Performance

The performance of deep-drawing stainless steel can be optimized in various ways, and some of these are as follows:

Exercising Control on the Thickness and Flow of Materials

The process of deep drawing requires an appropriate flow of materials so that uniform thickness is achieved and defects are prevented. In order to control the materials flow, the draw beads can be used to control it in the die cavity.

The role played by lubrication is also significant in material flow; hence, choose such lubricants that are designed for stainless steel. It helps to reduce the heat buildup and friction during the process of deep drawing.

You can also adjust the speed of the punch and force of the blank holder so that excessive thickening and thinning can be prevented.

Reduction in Rearing and Wrinkling

The pressure of the blank holder can be optimized to reduce wrinkling. You can start with a low pressure and then increase it gradually. It helps in controlling the flow of material so that the excessive buildup of material is prevented.

Tearing can be prevented by considering the idea of making complex components by opting for multi-stage drawing. The deformation is distributed to different steps, and hence, the stress on the material is reduced.

Role of Blank Holding Force

Blank holding force impacts the quality of the final component. If the force is very little, it may lead to wrinkling, and if it is too much, it can cause tearing. Hence, balancing the force is crucial; you can start with a low blank holding force and increase it gradually.

Challenges in Deep Drawing Stainless Steel

The process of deep drawing stainless steel has some challenges, and some of these are as follows:

Wrinkling

When the material builds on the wall of the component, the problem of wrinkling takes place. It is usually a result of a lack of blank holder pressure or a lack of appropriate lubrication. The appearance as well as the structural integrity of the component is compromised due to wrinkling.

Tearing

If the material undergoes excessive stress, it causes tearing. The tears can be observed on the corners of the components. If sharp-edged tools are used or the blank holder pressure is high, tearing may happen.

Earring

Earring consists of forming a wavy edge on the deep-drawn components. It creates uneven height and may also require trimming operations.

Conclusion

The guide above features a detailed discussion of everything about deep drawing stainless steel. It must have given you knowledge on the subject, and you can now be in a position to use this process in your upcoming project.

If you are looking to have high-quality stainless steel components manufactured using a deep drawing process, we at DEK can design them for you.