Improvement of Formability in Ironing of Stainless Steel Drawn Cups Using Low Friction Cermet Dies

Abstract

A TiCN-based cermet die was utilised to improve the formability in ironing of stainless steel drawn cups. By employing the cermet die, additional coating was not required because it was made of hard TiCN having low friction. As a comparison, TiCcoated WC-Co, non-coated WC-Co and tool steel dies were used. The effects of the viscosity of a lubricant and the ironing speed on the formability for the cermet die were examined. The cermet die exhibited the largest seizure resistance. The performance of the cermet die in repeated ironing was evaluated. For repeated ironing using the cermet die, the occurrence of seizure was prevented up to 100 strokes. It was found that the cermet die with low friction was effective in ironing stainless steel drawn cups.