BALFORD.Metalworking engineering answers

Parts and applications

How should I compare materials for a solenoid valve housing?

Answer

ENGINEERING COMPARISON Compare Manufacturing Results Two real manufacturing routes, two materials, one application family. Attribute Deep Drawn Housing Magnetic Housing Isolation Sleeve Application Solenoid Valve Solenoid Valve Solenoid Valve Material DC04 DT4E 304 Process Deep Drawing Deep Drawing Deep Drawing Secondary Process CNC Machining CNC Machining — Magnetic Treatment Application dependent Application dependent Application dependent Surface Plating Plating — Sample Available on request Available on request Available on request PROCESS GUIDANCE Not Sure Which Manufacturing Route Fits? Deep Drawing Best suited to sheet-based housings, high-volume production and efficient material usage. Cold Extrusion Best suited to precision housings, thick-wall components and demanding magnetic applications.

Sources

  1. Metal Parts Stock & Samples | Balford
    ENGINEERING COMPARISON Compare Manufacturing Results Two real manufacturing routes, two materials, one application family. Attribute Deep Drawn Housing Magnetic Housing Isolation Sleeve Application Solenoid Valve Solenoid Valve Solenoid Valve Material DC04 DT4E 304 Process Deep Drawing Deep Drawing ...
  2. Soft Magnetic Materials for Solenoid Valve Housings & Gaskets
    This guide walks through the material side of that problem in the order an engineer actually thinks about it: What a soft magnetic material is, and which properties matter Why coercivity deserves special attention in formed housings How the main material families compare — electrical pure iron, sili...
  3. How to Choose Soft Magnetic Metal for a Solenoid Valve
    Home › Blog › Soft Magnetic Materials Soft Magnetic Materials · Material Selection · Solenoid Valves How to Choose a Soft Magnetic Metal for a Solenoid Valve: An Engineer’s Checklist Published September 3, 2026 · Balford Technical Team How Do You Choose a Soft Magnetic Met...
  4. Balford: Solenoid Valve Housings, Sleeves & Magnetic Components
    If a supplier quotes a solenoid housing without asking about magnetics, annealing, seal-face finish or plating control, they have quoted a cup — not a valve component. Q: Does the housing material affect valve response time? A: Yes. Materials with higher permeability and lower coercivity build flux ...
  5. Balford: Solenoid Valve Housings, Sleeves & Magnetic
    Seal face finish requirement and surface treatment specification Annual volume and variant count Whether IMDS, PPAP Level 3 and material declarations are required Key point If a supplier quotes a solenoid housing without asking about magnetics, annealing, seal-face finish or plating control, they ha...
  6. Solenoid Valve Housing Materials | Balford
    Solenoid valve housing material Published: August 23, 2024 The material you pick for a solenoid valve housing drives formability, corrosion resistance, magnetic performance, weight, and overall manufacturing cost. Start the selection process with the valve's operating environment and electromagnetic...

What an engineer still needs from you

  • material and material condition (grade, temper)
  • material thickness, plus the key diameter, height and wall thickness
  • tolerances, burr direction and the visual acceptance standard
  • annual volume - it decides whether tooling is single-hit, progressive or transfer
  • surface finish, and any secondary machining, annealing or plating
Next step. Send the drawing for a manufacturability review, or send the part data for a process and cost route.
Submit a drawing / RFQDFM review

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This page is an engineering answer, not a quotation and not a dimensional acceptance. It is generated from Balford's published material and held to the verified company fact sheet.