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Materials Commonly Used for Electric Motor Laminations

When it comes to electric motor lamination stamping and similar electric motor lamination needs, one vital factor to consider is the material being used. Motor lamination material plays a key role in everything from design to performance in electric motors, and will impact a number of specific factors that play into unit performance and even cost.

At LCS Company, we’re proud to offer the best custom electric motor lamination stamping services available on the market. Our motor lamination professionals are experts in utilizing various different materials within this service area, including several key alloys and steel options. Let’s go through some of the top materials often used for motor laminations, plus their key qualities that might make them ideal for your needs.

Electrical Steel

Known for its fantastic electrical conductivity, electrical steel, or silicon steel, is a very common material used in electric motor laminations. Its high silicon content gives it excellent magnetic properties and low hysteresis loss, making it highly efficient for use in motors.

In addition to its electrical properties, electrical steel also has good corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. It facilitates improved performance in motors, leading to reduced energy consumption and increased efficiency. It’s also available in multiple different grades and thicknesses, allowing for customization and optimization of motor designs.

Transformer Steel

One particular variety of electrical steel is called transformer steel. This type features magnetic properties that are specifically meant for non-rotation devices.

Transformer steel also has high permeability, allowing it to efficiently transfer energy between the primary and secondary coils of a transformer. Additionally, it is designed to minimize eddy current losses, making it an ideal material for use in power distribution and transmission systems.

Thin-Gauge Electrical Steel

Another type of electrical steel often used for motor laminations is thin-gauge electrical steel. Most often found in applications where high energy efficiency and performance requirements are in place, thin-gauge electrical steel boasts an even thinner gauge compared to conventional electrical steel. Its lower thickness allows for better magnetic performance and reduced eddy current losses, making it an excellent choice for use in high-performance motors.

Cold Rolled Motor Lam Steel

CRML is an electrical steel with a higher core loss and is used in motor lamination  applications not requiring the same magnetics of the typical electrical steel grades. This is a lower cost material often used in higher volume applications. CRML material is almost always annealed after stamping to develop optimum magnetic properties.

Nickel Alloys

Nickel alloys possess a unique set of desirable qualities for motor lamination applications and Nickel alloys are known for their high strength and durability, as well as high permeability at low to moderate inductions.

Furthermore, nickel alloys come with low core losses during the motor lamination process. This means that they have high efficiency and can handle higher frequencies without significant energy losses. Nickel alloys also exhibit good thermal conductivity, meaning they can effectively dissipate heat generated during the motor’s operation.

These properties make nickel alloys a top choice for motor lamination stamping in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing. Nickel alloys will require an annealing cycle with added surface insulation, but this is simple enough to accomplish in most applications.

Cobalt Alloys

Another set of alloys used in motor laminations is cobalt alloys. Cobalt alloys are especially resistant to wear and corrosion, both of which are important for the long-term durability of a motor. They also have excellent heat resistance, which helps prevent the motor from overheating.

These properties make cobalt alloys a popular choice for high-performance motors that require high flux density without saturation. Cobalt alloys are also used for their high magnetic permeability, which allows for efficient energy transfer between the stator and rotor.

Other Materials

While the materials we’ve gone over above are some of the most common for motor lamination today, others can also be used. These include brass, copper, cold-rolled steel and certain special grades of silicone.

Making Your Choice

When it comes to choosing the right material for your motor lamination, there are several factors to consider such as cost, performance requirements and availability. Some materials may be more expensive but offer better performance, while others may be easier to source but not meet all of your desired specifications. It’s important to carefully weigh your options and select a material that will best suit your needs.

This is one key area where professionals in motor lamination can be of great assistance. At LCS Company, we have years of experience in electric motor lamination stamping using various materials, and regularly assist clients in choosing the right material for their project. Our team is knowledgeable about the properties and capabilities of different materials, and can provide valuable insights and recommendations to help you make the best decision for your motor lamination needs.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your motor lamination needs! Our team is dedicated to providing top-notch products and services to meet the specific requirements of each client.

What is the Best Material for Metal Stamping?

With so many metals on the table for custom metal stamping services, picking the right one for your project can feel like a maze. Is carbon steel tougher than stainless steel? Is aluminum the right call, or do specialty alloys bring more to the table? Beyond the basic differences, you’ve got to think about things like the metal’s quality, how easily it can be worked, and whether it lines up with all the compliance boxes. Zeroing in on the best material isn’t always simple, especially for demanding applications like metal stamping medical parts, but a closer look at each option’s properties can help you sort through the noise. This blog breaks down those choices, so you can make the call with confidence.

Key Properties to Consider in Metal Stamping

Every stamped part must meet a unique set of requirements, and the metal stamping material you select will shape everything from formability and strength to biocompatibility and cost. When evaluating metals for stamping, pay close attention to:

• Mechanical strength and hardness
• Corrosion resistance
• Formability
• Electrical/thermal conductivity
• Magnetic properties
• Biocompatibility and cleanliness
• Cost and supply chain reliability
  

Most Popular Metals in Precision Metal Stamping

Stainless Steel

Renowned for its strength, corrosion resistance, and workability, stainless steel is a staple in both aerospace metal stamping and metal stamping medical projects. Grades like 301, 304, and 316 are frequently used in:

• Surgical and diagnostic device components
• Aerospace brackets, connectors, and shields
• Applications requiring strict ISO 13485 and AS9100 compliance

Aluminum Alloys

When lightweight construction, corrosion resistance, and ease of fabrication are priorities, aluminum alloys (such as 5052 and 6061) come to the forefront. They are ideal for:

• Aircraft and aerospace metal stamping assemblies
• Non-magnetic, non-corrosive medical housings
• Complex or delicate stamped geometries

Carbon Steel

Affordable, strong, and highly machinable, carbon steel remains a go-to for:

• Automotive fasteners, brackets, and clips
• Industrial parts that can benefit from heat treatment or plating
• High-volume projects requiring cost efficiency

Copper, Brass, and Bronze

Copper and its alloys are irreplaceable for electrical and electronic components due to their superior conductivity and formability. Typical applications include:

• Battery contacts and electronic connectors
• EMI/RFI shielding
• Decorative or functional trim pieces

Advanced Alloys for Extreme Applications

For mission-critical parts, some applications require stepping up to high-performance alloys. These include:

• Titanium: Used in surgical implants, aerospace metal stamping fasteners, and medical housings requiring strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility
• Nickel alloys (e.g., Inconel): Trusted for jet engine components, high-temperature or corrosive environments, and demanding aerospace uses

Making the Right Choice: Tips from Industry Experts

Selecting the best metal stamping material for your stamped part is about matching your design, performance goals, and regulatory environment. Industry leaders recommend:

• Consulting early with your custom metal stamping services provider or materials engineer
• Weighing all end-use and processing requirements, from corrosion to electrical needs
• Prototyping with multiple candidates if your application is new or highly regulated

Need Help Choosing the Best Metal for Your Next Stamping Project?

For complex jobs, tight specs, or regulated industries like medical and aerospace, it pays to work with a partner that understands both the science and the art of custom metal stamping services. LCS Company brings decades of hands-on experience in selecting, sourcing, and stamping the best materials for critical applications. Our engineers collaborate with you at every stage, from concept and prototyping through to high-volume production, so your parts perform exactly as intended.

Contact us today to put our custom metal stamping expertise to work for your business.