Dengwei International Trade is mainly engaged in various high-end steel import and export businesses, and is a brand enterprise in the metal circulation industry.
Views: 0 Author: Rachel Wynn Publish Time: 2025-07-11 Origin: Site
Inconel 718 is a high-strength, corrosion-resistant nickel-based superalloy widely used in critical applications across aerospace, power generation, automotive, and oil & gas industries. Thanks to its remarkable mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, it is a top choice for components like brackets, exhaust seals, heat shields, turbine discs, and fasteners. However, ordering Inconel 718 stamped parts is far more complex than sourcing standard sheet metal components.Many procurement professionals, engineers, and project managers fall into common traps when specifying or sourcing Inconel 718 stampings—leading to delays, performance failures, or budget overruns. In this article, we explore the five most common mistakes to avoid when ordering Inconel 718 stamped components and provide best-practice recommendations to ensure your parts are delivered on time, to spec, and optimized for performance.
One of the most common missteps is underestimating the technical difficulty of stamping Inconel 718. Unlike mild steel or aluminum, Inconel 718 is a work-hardening alloy that becomes harder as it's deformed. It also has low thermal conductivity, which increases friction and tool wear during stamping.
Many inexperienced suppliers attempt cold stamping without understanding the material’s limitations—resulting in cracked parts, springback issues, dimensional inconsistency, or tool failure.
Use a stamping supplier with proven experience in high-temperature alloys.
Ensure that warm or hot stamping methods are used where appropriate (usually 650–950°C).
Inquire about tooling materials—carbide dies or specially coated tool steels are often necessary.
Stamping Inconel 718 requires deep metallurgical knowledge, simulation-driven design, and robust process control. Treating it like steel is a costly mistake.
Another frequent error is submitting insufficient technical information when requesting quotes. Because Inconel 718 requires precision forming, heat treatment, and often post-processing, any ambiguity in drawings can lead to mismatched expectations or defective parts.
For example, omitting tolerances, surface finish, grain direction, or material condition (annealed vs aged) may result in the supplier using incorrect assumptions, which can affect mechanical properties or assembly fit.
Include detailed 2D drawings and/or 3D models with clearly marked tolerances.
Specify the required material form (AMS 5596 sheet, AMS 5662 bar, etc.).
List all secondary operations (deburring, edge rounding, passivation, etc.).
Include functional requirements: temperature range, load specs, etc.
Remember: the more precise your RFQ, the more accurate and competitive your quotation will be.
Inconel 718’s strength and fatigue resistance depend heavily on proper heat treatment. The typical production route involves solution annealing followed by age hardening to precipitate γ′ and γ″ strengthening phases. Some buyers incorrectly assume that stamping suppliers automatically apply these treatments—or worse, don’t specify them at all.
Raw material condition: Are you using annealed sheet or age-hardened?
Post-stamping heat treatment: Do parts require AMS 5663-compliant aging?
Certifications: Does your supplier offer NADCAP-accredited heat treatment or work with approved partners?
Failure to address heat treatment explicitly can result in parts that underperform in fatigue, creep, or corrosion resistance. This is especially critical in aerospace or energy sector applications.
Stamping Inconel 718 is tooling-intensive. Because the alloy is so hard and abrasive, custom dies must be designed with wear-resistant materials, optimal clearance, and tight dimensional control. This means longer lead times compared to standard stamping projects.
Many buyers expect tooling and production to happen in just a few weeks, only to discover later that carbide or coated steel dies take 4–6 weeks to manufacture and test.
Build tooling lead time into your project plan from the start.
Ask suppliers for detailed project schedules including die tryout and first article inspection (FAI).
If prototypes are needed, ask about soft tooling or waterjet-cut samples.
Be realistic: the upfront tooling investment is essential for long-term production reliability and dimensional repeatability.
It’s tempting to go with the lowest quote—especially for cost-sensitive projects. But with materials like Inconel 718, the cheapest option often results in the highest long-term cost due to part failure, rework, or nonconformance.
Not every stamping house has the equipment, expertise, or metallurgy knowledge to work with Inconel alloys. Selecting a generalist metal supplier to stamp Inconel 718 is like asking a general mechanic to build a race engine—it’s a recipe for failure.
Proven track record with nickel alloys and aerospace-grade materials
Advanced press capabilities (hydraulic or servo presses for high-tonnage forming)
Tooling design expertise and in-house simulation (FEA)
In-house or certified heat treatment, passivation, and finishing capabilities
Full quality documentation (PPAP, COC, NADCAP if applicable)
A qualified supplier not only prevents costly errors—they can also help optimize design, reduce weight, and improve manufacturability.
In some limited cases (simple geometries, thin gauges), cold stamping is feasible, but it often leads to cracking or springback. Warm or hot stamping is recommended for most applications.
Common standards include AMS 5596 for sheet, AMS 5662 for solution-annealed bar, and AMS 5663 for age-hardened material. Always confirm material certifications and processing standards with your supplier.
Stamping itself doesn’t compromise corrosion resistance, but any burrs or micro-cracks can become initiation points for corrosion. Proper finishing and passivation can restore full surface integrity.
Typically, Inconel 718 is stamped in the annealed state, then heat treated (solution annealed + aged) after forming to achieve full strength. Some cases may require intermediate annealing during multi-stage forming.
Yes. Hybrid manufacturing is common—stamp the basic shape for cost savings, then finish critical features with CNC machining. This approach offers the best of both cost and precision.
Inconel 718 is not a beginner’s material. It demands respect, preparation, and technical understanding throughout the sourcing and manufacturing process. By avoiding the five common mistakes we’ve outlined, you can reduce delays, avoid performance failures, and ensure a smooth production journey.
Whether you're sourcing aerospace brackets, gas turbine seals, or custom engine components, working with the right supplier makes all the difference.
At DENGWEISTEEL, we specialize in stamping and forming high-performance alloys like Inconel 718. Our team offers full-service support—from material sourcing and tooling design to heat treatment, inspection, and delivery.
Contact us today to discuss your project, get a free technical review, or request a quote.
Email: dengweisteel666@gmail.com
Phone: +86-18121015362
Website: https://www.dengweisteel.com/
