Metals we work with
Sheet Metal Materials for Stamping, Fabrication and Enclosures
Material choice affects forming risk, springback, corrosion resistance, conductivity, surface finish, tooling cost and final inspection. Use these material notes to prepare clearer RFQ details before quote review.
DFM reviewbefore tooling decisions
±0.02 mm tolerancefor critical features, subject to drawing and process review
0.2–2.0 mmsheet thickness range
ISO 9001 / ISO 14001quality and environmental management systems
No MOQfor sample validation
Finish + inspectionplanned for your project
Start with the part’s job, then narrow the material
Mark where the part carries a load, makes electrical contact, transfers heat or needs a clean appearance. Use the comparison below to shortlist materials, then review the actual grade, condition and finished features.
Scroll across to see the full comparison
| Material candidate | Typical parts to discuss | What to confirm first |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steelStainless steel selection guide | Equipment covers, panels and brackets with corrosion or cleaning requirements | Exposure, grade, bends and welds, surface condition and wet joints. “Stainless” alone does not settle corrosion suitability. |
| AluminumAluminum selection guide | Lightweight covers, enclosures and heat-spreading parts | Alloy and temper, bending, stiffness, mating dimensions and the required finish. Compare the complete part geometry. |
| Copper / brassCopper and brass selection guide | Terminals, electrical contact parts and thermal components | Required conductivity, contact geometry, material condition and plating. Copper and brass are not interchangeable by name. |
| Cold-rolled steel · SPCCCold-rolled steel selection guide | Painted brackets, panels and covers | Load and thickness, formed features, welds and the final corrosion-protection route, including exposed edges. |
| Zinc-coated steel · SGCC / SECCGalvanized sheet selection guide | Enclosure panels, covers and mounting brackets | Substrate and coating route, cut edges, weld areas and any final paint. SGCC and SECC do not identify the same coating process. |
| TinplateTinplate selection guide | Formed covers and electronic shielding-part candidates | Steel condition, tin coating on each face, cut edges and joining; validate contact or shielding on the assembly. |
| Nickel silver · Cu-Ni-ZnNickel silver selection guide | Formed contact tabs and shielding parts | Exact alloy and temper, bending and retained force; agree the finished surface and assembly checks. |
These are starting points for comparison. Final selection depends on the drawing, service conditions and acceptance requirements.
Three steps to make the choice clearer
Describe what the part does
Identify loads, electrical or thermal contact, and the holes or surfaces that must fit other parts.
Describe where it will work
Include moisture, cleaning, contact with other metals, weight and appearance needs.
Review the material on the drawing
Confirm grade, thickness, supplied condition and finish. Mark open questions as “to be confirmed” for discussion.
Choose material before tooling and finishing decisions
The same geometry can behave very differently across stainless steel, aluminum, copper or coated steel. Material should be visible early because it changes tooling, sampling, finish and inspection risk.
- Stainless steel needs attention to springback, forming force, cracking risk and burr control.
- Aluminum supports lightweight structures and thermal paths but needs surface protection planning.
- Copper, brass and nickel silver are common in conductive, shielding and contact components.
Review thickness, hardness and forming risk
Material grade and thickness affect whether a part can be blanked, bent, drawn, formed or held flat. A strong RFQ makes those details clear before tooling is discussed.
- Confirm sheet thickness, temper or hardness, tolerance pressure and critical formed areas.
- Review burr behavior, springback, flatness, surface marks and edge safety by material.
- Use annual volume to judge whether sample tooling, production tooling or fabrication is the better route.
Match metal choice to the final surface treatment
Material and finish are linked. A coating, plating or anodizing choice can affect fit, conductivity, corrosion resistance, cosmetic surfaces and inspection standards.
- Powder coating, ink coating and plating are common for steel brackets, panels, covers and enclosures.
- Anodizing, brushing and protective coatings are common for aluminum appearance parts.
- Tin, nickel or other plating routes may be needed for conductive electronic components.
Send material details that prevent quote ambiguity
If the exact grade is not fixed, buyers can still send the intended function, environment and acceptable substitutes. That gives engineering a practical starting point.
- Provide material grade, sheet thickness, temper, surface condition and any approved substitute options.
- State whether the part needs corrosion resistance, conductivity, solderability, heat transfer or cosmetic appearance.
- Include finish, compliance, inspection and packaging requirements where material choice affects them.
Buyer questions
Common buyer questions
Have a question about your part? Leave a message and a reply email.
Which metals can be reviewed for stamping?
Stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, SPCC, SGCC, SECC, tinplate, nickel silver and project-specific sheet metals can be reviewed from drawings.
Does material affect tooling cost?
Yes. Material strength, thickness, hardness, forming risk, tolerance and expected volume affect tool structure, sampling loops and production control.
Can HARVLAND suggest a substitute material?
If the application allows it, engineering can review substitute options based on function, forming risk, finish, cost and availability. Final approval remains with the buyer.
Should finish requirements be sent with material details?
Yes. Finish requirements such as plating, powder coating, ink coating, e-coating, anodizing, brushing, passivation, printing or cleaning can change material choice, tolerance planning and inspection.
Your question has been recorded
Thank you. We will reply to the email address you provided. You do not need to submit again.
Question ID:
Contact us
Send drawings, material, thickness, finish and target quantity for review.