Material is one of the first and most consequential choices in a stamped part. It influences tooling, springback, corrosion resistance, the finishing route, inspection and the final cost, often more than the geometry does.
This guide compares the metals most commonly stamped for OEM parts. The goal is not to crown one best metal, but to help you match strengths and trade-offs to what your part actually has to do.
How material choice shapes the whole part
Before a die is designed, the material sets the rules. Strength and hardness affect forming force, tool wear and springback; corrosion behavior decides whether a finish is optional or mandatory; conductivity and weight may be functional requirements in their own right.
Choosing material early, and keeping it fixed, keeps the rest of the project stable, because changing material later shifts bend radii, tolerances and finishing decisions.
Cold rolled steel (SPCC)
Cold rolled steel is the economical default for many brackets, panels and housings. It forms easily, welds well and takes paint or powder coating nicely. Its main limitation is corrosion: bare cold rolled steel rusts, so it almost always needs a protective finish.
Stainless steel (SUS304, SUS301)
Stainless steel resists corrosion without a coating and is strong and durable, which makes it common for enclosures, hardware and food or medical parts. The trade-offs are higher material cost, more springback to manage during forming, and more tool wear, all of which the die design has to account for.
Aluminum (5052, 6061)
Aluminum is light, naturally corrosion resistant and a good thermal and electrical conductor, which suits enclosures, covers and heat-dissipating structures. It scratches and dents more easily than steel, so handling and finishing (such as anodizing) should be planned from the start.
Copper and brass
Copper and brass are chosen mainly for electrical and thermal conductivity, in terminals, connectors, shields and thermal parts. They are softer and more expensive, and copper marks easily, so they call for careful tooling and handling rather than being a general-purpose structural choice.
Galvanized and electrolytic steel (SGCC, SECC)
These are steels with a zinc or electrolytic coating already applied, giving built-in corrosion protection for chassis and structural panels. The thing to plan for is that cut and pierced edges expose bare steel, so edge protection or a secondary finish may still be needed where corrosion resistance is critical.
Thickness, formability and finish
Within any metal, thickness affects forming force, minimum bend radius and cost, so the workable range here is 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm. Material and finish are also linked: bare steel needs a protective finish, aluminum is often anodized, and stainless can be left uncoated or brushed for appearance.
Decide material and finish together rather than in isolation, because the pairing affects both the look and the long-term durability of the part.
How to decide
Start from function. If the part must resist corrosion on its own, lean toward stainless or a coated steel. If weight or conductivity matters, consider aluminum or copper. If cost is the priority and a finish is acceptable, cold rolled steel is hard to beat.
If you are weighing two options, describe the environment, load and budget in your RFQ and ask for a recommendation alongside the quote.
| Metal | Strengths | Watch-outs | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold rolled steel (SPCC) | Low cost, easy to form, paints well | Rusts without a finish | Brackets, panels, housings |
| Stainless steel (304/301) | Corrosion resistance, strength | More springback, harder on tooling | Enclosures, hardware, medical |
| Aluminum (5052/6061) | Light, conductive, corrosion resistant | Scratches easily, plan finishing | Enclosures, covers, heat parts |
| Copper / brass | High electrical and thermal conductivity | Cost, softness, marks easily | Terminals, shields, thermal parts |
| Galvanized / electrolytic (SGCC/SECC) | Built-in corrosion protection | Bare steel exposed at cut edges | Chassis, structural panels |