Why Does Punching Stainless Steel Require Special Techniques?

Stainless steel is a hard metal. Its many grades and types make it a complex metal requiring special techniques and tools for forming and punching. The pros of stainless steel, such as its corrosion resistance and exceptional strength, make it a difficult material to work with, especially during punching.

Punching requires a thorough understanding of the metal to ensure it is punched without compromising its structural integrity or appearance. At New Mexico Metals LLC, we know it, and thus, we have shared in this blog why special techniques are required for punching stainless steel.

Read on for the details!

Understanding Stainless Steel

A clear understanding of the metal is essential for effective punching.

Stainless steel is an aesthetically pleasing metal known for its tensile strength and corrosion resistance. It can be as hard as iron but as malleable as aluminum, depending on its composition.

The hard nature of the metal makes it ideal for use in construction, medical, automotive, and other industries, but it also increases the risk of cracking or deformation during punching.

It requires greater force and sharper tools to achieve clean results. Thus, punching stainless steel involves more than just pressing a hole.

What is Punching in Metalwork?

Meal punching is the art of punching holes of distinct shapes within the perimeter of the sheet metal or pipes using a punch and die set. The punch applies shear force on the metal underneath and pushes out the unwanted metal piece, leaving a clean hole.

The technique is used in multiple industries to create slots, holes, or patterns in metal parts, prepare material for bolts, rivets, or fasteners, produce electrical panels or enclosures, precision forming, etc.

What Are The Challenges of Punching Stainless Steel?

There are multiple challenges that everyone faces while punching stainless steel, which are discussed below:

Material Hardness

Stainless steel can be very hard, requiring a higher tonnage to carve clean holes or shapes through the metal. Using standard tools means that the tools wear out faster, leading to rough edges.

Tool Wear and Tear

Stainless steel punching tools are often prone to quick wear and tear due to the abrasive nature of the metal. It can lead to inconsistent holes, burrs, rough edges, and tool failure. Thus, HSS or coated carbide punches are required for steel.

Heat Buildup

Punching generates heat, and stainless steel retains the heat for a long time. It leads to metal becoming even tougher and, thus, difficult to work with.

Spring-Back Effect

Due to its elasticity, stainless steel springs back after punching. It can affect dimensional accuracy, especially in metal forming and punching tasks that require tight tolerances.

Whether a DIYer or a metal professional, you must avoid these challenges by relying on expert metal punching services.

Specialized Techniques for Punching Stainless Steel

At New Mexico Metals LLC, we use specialized techniques to punch stainless steel, which are discussed below:

Tooling Selection

Our tooling selection succeeds in material inspection, allowing us to understand which punching coating or punch and die machine is right for the operation. Appropriate coatings like titanium nitride help reduce friction and wear. Also, it has the tools to remain sharp for a longer time.

Optimized Punch and Die Clearance

Proper clearance between the punch and die is required; otherwise, the edges can be burred, and you might end up with misshapen holes. Punch and die clearance is the difference between the punch and the die when they hit and remove the metal. This clearance depends on the metal thickness and hardness. Too little clearance can result in burrs and galling. For stainless steel, a slightly increased clearance is used.

Controlled Speed

Rather than using fast, high-impact motions, a slower and steady force is required to cleanly remove the slug. It improves accuracy and minimizes heat and distortion.

Lubrication

Friction and heat must be controlled during punching; thus, an effective lubricant is needed. It ensures smoother motion during punching and also controls heat levels.

Metal Punching at New Mexico Metals LLC

Metal Punching at New Mexico Metals LLC is a technique and an art wherein we ensure perfection. Having ample experience, we understand the nuances of the metal and, thus, employ the right tools and methods to achieve what you need.

We pride ourselves on offering dependable metal punching services tailored to the demands of stainless steel and other metals. Whether you need metal punching services for your  personal project or experts for a large-scale project, you can always rely on us.

To learn more about us, contact us today!