What is the cold heading of steel parts?

The cold heading of steel parts has established itself as a key process in the manufacture of fasteners and similar items, especially when it comes to mass production. Compared to turning, it makes it possible to obtain strong parts more quickly, with less waste and excellent material utilization.

Let us now see why cold heading is so advantageous for large series production of steel parts and look at the different alloy options.

Cold stamping for steel parts manufacturing

The process of cold heading is ideal for the production of steel parts in large quantities. Starting with steel in wire format, it is formed step by step to produce parts with high strength, excellent mechanical properties and high repeatability in terms of dimensions and tolerances.

Cold heading processes require steel alloys with specific properties: high ductility, mechanical strength and hardenability. The main alloys used in wire or strand form for these processes are discussed below.

Most common carbon steels for cold heading

These steels are the most widely used in the cold heading of steel parts due to their excellent balance between cost, ease of forming and good mechanical behavior. They make it possible to obtain high quality components without the need for complex treatments, which makes them particularly suitable for large production volumes.

SWCH (JIS G 3507)

• Examples: SWCH6A-10A, SWCH12A-45K.
• Low carbon content (0.06% to 0.45%) to optimize formability.
• Used in general purpose screws, bolts and rivets.

SUJ2 (JIS G 4805)

• Bushing steel with 1% carbon and 1.5% chromium.
• High wear resistance after heat treatment.

Additional processes:

Before the final forming of steel parts, it is common to apply certain pre-treatments that facilitate the process and optimize the properties of the material. These steps improve both surface quality and mechanical behavior during stamping.

• Pickling and coating: reduces friction during forming.
• Spheroidized annealing: improves grain structure.

Alloy steels for high strength parts

Designed for situations where steel parts must withstand high stresses or constant impacts, these alloy steels are used in the cold heading of steel parts that require reliability, durability and a superior safety margin. They are key materials in sectors such as automotive and aerospace, where mechanical performance is critical.

Among the most commonly used grades within this category are:

SCM435-440 (JIS G 4105)

• Chromium-molybdenum (0.35% Cr, 0.15-0.30% Mo).
• Ideal for engine bolts and automotive components.

Boron steels

• Boron steels incorporate small amounts of this element (0.0005-0.005%) in order to increase the formability of the steel and significantly reduce the risk of cracking during the process of cold heading of steel parts.
• Example: Grades according to ASTM A545.

Typical applications:

• Engine components (spark plug housings, piston rods).
• Fasteners in aeronautics.

Austenitic stainless steels for cold heading

Used in corrosive environments or with high hygienic requirements.

304 (AISI)

• Typical composition: 18% chromium and 8% nickel, a very balanced formula combining strength and ease of forming.
• Good corrosion resistance and work hardening.

316 (AISI)

• It includes 2-3% molybdenum, which improves its resistance to chloride environments, such as marine environments.

Common advantages:

• High cold ductility and polishability.
• Used in food, medical and marine industries.

High Strength Low Alloy Steels (HSLA)

These steels stand out for their balance between ease of forming and high strength, which makes them particularly suitable for the cold heading of steel parts for demanding applications.

• Low carbon content (≤0.15%) with microalloys (Nb, V, Ti).
• Examples: Grade 10.9 or 12.9 for structural fasteners.

Advantages:

They make it possible to lighten steel parts without losing strength, a key factor in sectors where every gram counts, such as the automotive and aeronautics industries.

Steels for specific applications

Bearing steels (SUJ2)

• Hardness of 60-63 HRC after heat treatment.

Nitrided Steels (1.2379)

• High chromium (12%) for cutting dies and cold working rolls.

Comparison of properties of steels for cold heading

Key factors in the selection of steels for cold heading

Choosing the right steel is one of the most strategic decisions in any steel part process cold heading. Not all alloys offer the same performance in terms of strength, ductility or cost, so knowing the key factors allows you to optimize both design and production.

• Ductility: Low carbon steels (SWCH) for complex shapes.
• Wear resistance: Chromium-molybdenum alloys (SCM).
• Corrosive environment: Austenitic stainless steels.

Cold stamping of steel parts: The ideal process for large production runs

In industrial manufacturing, the cold heading of steel parts is the most efficient solution when it comes to big batches. Its ability to reduce costs, improve repeatability and obtain parts with high mechanical performance makes it a benchmark option compared to other slower and more costly processes such as machining.

In addition to offering an excellent cost/performance ratio, this method allows working with a wide variety of alloys, from carbon steels to stainless or microalloyed steels, which extends its application to sectors as diverse as the automotive, construction or medical industry.

If you are considering this process for your next production or need advice on which type of steel best suits your needs, our team can help you.

Contact our technical office and tell us what kind of steel parts you need to manufacture. We will study your case and propose a customized, fast and efficient cold stamping solution.