Deep drawing (deep pressing) processes place high demands on the formability, ductility, and work hardening resistance of stainless steel materials.
According to publicly available information, austenitic stainless steel is primarily suitable for deep drawing. The following grades are widely used and classified by stamping level:
Commonly Used Deep Drawing Stainless Steel Grades and Levels
SUS304 (06Cr19Ni10 / 0Cr18Ni9)
The most commonly used and versatile austenitic stainless steel.
Chromium content 18%–20%, Nickel content 8%–10.5%, Carbon ≤0.08%.
It possesses good deep drawing and bending properties, suitable for medium-complexity stamped parts such as kitchenware, home appliances, and automotive parts.
Intermediate annealing is usually required during stamping to restore plasticity.
SUS305 (UNS S30500 / 1Cr18Ni12)
More suitable for deep drawing than SUS304 due to its higher nickel content (10.5%–13.0%).
It has a lower work hardening rate, better cold formability, and is non-magnetic.
Commonly used in deep drawing and spinning, such as for Western tableware, electronic components, and cryogenic containers.
SUS316 / 316L (06Cr17Ni12Mo2)
Contains molybdenum (Mo), offering better corrosion resistance than 304, and good deep drawing performance, but at a higher cost.
Suitable for deep-drawn parts in harsh environments such as chemical and marine applications.
Classification by Stamping Grade (Referencing Cold-Rolled Steel Sheet Standards)
While stainless steel doesn’t have explicit classifications like “IF steel” or “HF grade” as low-carbon steel, analogous classifications exist:
Ordinary Deep Drawing Grade: SUS304 (equivalent to ST14 grade)
High Deep Drawing/Ultra-Deep Drawing Grade: SUS305 (due to higher nickel content, superior formability, approaching IF steel performance)
Note: There is no stainless steel grade completely equivalent to low-carbon “IF steel” (ultra-deep drawing steel), but SUS305 has the highest stamping grade among austenitic stainless steels.
The most commonly used stainless steel for deep drawing is SUS304, while SUS305 offers the highest stamping grade and best formability. For ultimate deep drawing performance (such as complex shaped parts or high drawing ratios), SUS305 should be prioritized; if cost and versatility are considered, SUS304 is the mainstream choice.
Of course, the production process for deep-drawing parts is now very mature. If you have a large demand for customized deep-drawing parts, you can choose to cooperate with Mulan Manufacturing Group. Mulan Manufacturing Group has 13 years of experience in deep-drawing parts processing and has helped customers in more than 30 countries complete various deep-drawing parts processing projects, which have been consistently recognized. We look forward to your cooperation inquiries.
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