Deep drawing tools must withstand continuous friction, pressure, and heat while delivering flawless surface quality. AMPCO® Aluminum Bronze, known for their strength, wear resistance, and anti-galling properties, provide the durability and consistency that modern forming operations require.
Deep drawing tools operate under some of the most demanding conditions in metal forming. Dies, punches, and blank holders are continuously exposed to friction, sliding contact, and high mechanical loads. These stresses can quickly lead to wear, galling, and dimensional inaccuracy when conventional tool materials are used.
AMPCO® Aluminum Bronze, particularly AMPCO® 25 and AMPCO® 26, have proven to overcome these challenges. Their exceptional hardness, compressive strength, and sliding properties ensure consistent forming performance and extended tool life. By combining strength with surface stability, AMPCO alloys enable manufacturers to maintain process reliability and achieve higher productivity across large-scale operations.
Deep drawing tools face a unique combination of mechanical, thermal, and surface-related stresses. Each forming cycle subjects dies, punches, and blank holders to extreme pressure and sliding contact, often under limited lubrication. This constant friction generates heat and accelerates wear, especially when forming high-strength or stainless steels.
Modern production demands only increase these challenges. High-speed presses, tighter tolerances, and the need for perfect surface finishes require tooling materials that can maintain dimensional stability and resist galling. Conventional tool steels and standard bronzes often fall short under these conditions, leading to premature wear, surface defects, and frequent maintenance. To meet today’s output and quality expectations, materials with superior sliding properties, high compressive strength, and consistent performance, like AMPCO® Aluminum Bronze, have become essential in advanced forming operations.
AMPCO setup for deep drawing stainless steel pots
Aluminum bronze combines mechanical strength with superior tribological behavior, making it ideal for use in deep drawing tools. Its unique copper-aluminum microstructure provides both hardness and toughness, allowing it to withstand high contact pressures while maintaining excellent surface stability. Unlike conventional tool steels, aluminum bronze resists adhesive wear and galling even when forming stainless or coated steels, eliminating one of the most common causes of tool failure.
AMPCO® 25 and AMPCO® 26 are specifically engineered to meet the demands of modern forming operations. With hardness values reaching up to 420 HBW and compressive strength exceeding 1600 MPa, they deliver exceptional load-bearing capacity and long-term dimensional accuracy. Their good thermal conductivity helps dissipate heat quickly from the tool surface, reducing temperature-related expansion and ensuring consistent part geometry. These combined characteristics enable AMPCO alloys to maintain clean tool surfaces, extend production runs, and deliver a superior surface finish on drawn parts.
Die insert made from AMPCO® Aluminum Bronze
The properties of AMPCO® aluminum bronzes translate directly into practical advantages for manufacturers seeking higher reliability and lower production costs. Their balance of hardness, sliding behavior, and polishability supports consistent tool performance across extended production cycles.
Key benefits include:
By replacing or complementing traditional tool steels, AMPCO® alloys have become a proven solution for deep drawing tools that demand strength, precision, and long-term durability.
AMPCO® Aluminum Bronzes, particularly AMPCO® 25 and AMPCO® 26, have set a new standard for deep drawing tools. Their combination of hardness, compressive strength, and low-friction properties allows manufacturers to achieve longer tool life, improved surface quality, and greater production efficiency. Whether used in dies, punches, or blank holders, these alloys ensure reliable performance in demanding forming environments where precision and consistency are critical.
Professionals who want to learn more about the performance of copper-based alloys in metal forming can explore detailed articles, videos, and insights available on the AMPCO Academy.
For engineers and decision-makers seeking in-depth technical data, case studies, and application guidelines, download the technical paper “Maximizing Performance in Deep Drawing with AMPCO® Aluminum Bronze.” It provides practical information on alloy selection, machining recommendations, and proven performance benchmarks for AMPCO® 25 and AMPCO® 26.