Oil Migration on Sheet Steels and the Effect on Performance in Metal Stamping

Mill oils and prelubes are applied by the steel producer to prevent corrosion and to enhance formability. During coiling, shipping, and storage the lubricant migrates due to pressure and gravity. The redistribution of the lubricant results in widely varying lubricant weights. The move to reduce and eliminate press-applied lubricants has lead to concerns that the variation in lubricant weight as a result of this migration would adversely affect press performance. The Drawbead Simulator (DBS) and Twist Compression Test (TCT) were used to evaluate friction response of electrogalvanized and galvanneal sheet to varying lubricant weight. Results showed the electrogalvanized sheet was sensitive to lubricant type while the galvanneal sheet was sensitive to the amount of lubricant.