Tungsten Carbide for Copper and Brass Stamping

Introduction

Copper and brass stamping present challenges including galling and material pickup. Tungsten carbide dies with polished surfaces produce clean parts and long die life.

Galling Challenge

Soft non-ferrous metals tend to weld to steel die surfaces, causing scratches and material pickup. Polished carbide surfaces prevent this, producing clean parts.

Grade Selection

Fine-grain carbide grades with polished or coated surfaces are preferred for copper and brass. Harder grades resist material pickup better than tough grades.

Die Clearance

Copper and brass require tighter clearances than steel. A clearance of 5 to 8 percent of material thickness produces clean cuts with minimal burr.

High-Volume Production

Carbide dies maintain sharp edges and polished surfaces over millions of copper or brass stampings. This makes them essential for electrical connectors, terminals, and hardware.

Conclusion

Tungsten carbide is the ideal die material for copper and brass stamping. Polished surfaces prevent galling and ensure clean, high-quality parts at high production volumes.

References

GB/T 7714: GUPTA R, SONG J. Powder metallurgy processing and mechanical properties of cemented tungsten carbide composites[J]. International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials, 2020, 91: 105246.

APA 7th: Gupta, R., & Song, J. (2020). Powder metallurgy processing and mechanical properties of cemented tungsten carbide composites.

MLA 9th: Gupta, R., and J. Song. "Powder Metallurgy Processing and Mechanical Properties of Cemented Tungsten Carbide Composites."