TABLE OF CONTENTS The composition and physical properties of the principal materials used in die design for sheet metal forming are discussed in this chapter. A die component must be made of a material that has properties suitable for the conditions of service. The die material is just as important as are considerations of the loads and stresses, dimension, and form of the piece, as well the quantity of the pieces which need to be manufactured with the die. Frequently, the limitations imposed by available materials are the controlling factor in a die design. The designer must be familiar with the effects that the methods of manufacture of die components and heat treatment have on the properties of the die materials. The manufacturing processes used for fabrication of workpieces will also influence the types of material that can be used. Sometimes, the help of a professional metallurgist is needed to ensure the best possible choice of material and heat treatment. The emphasis of this text will be on the steels needed to produce dies for sheet-metal forming. Other materials, such as nonferrous and nonmetallic materials, will be included to complete the picture.
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, or of iron, carbon, and other alloying elements. Carbon must be present to the extent of about 0.05% by weight in order for the material to be known as steel rather than commercial iron.
Carbon and alloy steels are among the most commonly used metals and...
