how to source raw materials

Pre-Sourcing: Clarify Core Requirements (Foundation of Sourcing)

Before starting the search, it is essential to define clear material standards and demand indicators to avoid mismatches between raw materials and production/export needs. Focus on 4 key dimensions:

Product-Driven Material Performance Requirements

Based on the end-use of finished products (e.g., automotive terminals, electronic connectors, silicon steel cores), confirm the core performance of raw materials:

•Electrical conductivity: For copper alloy terminals (precision connectors), select high-purity copper (T2) or high-conductivity brass (H62/H65) to ensure stable current transmission.

•Magnetic properties: For silicon steel sheets (motor stators/rotors, transformer cores), choose oriented silicon steel (for transformers) or non-oriented silicon steel (for motors) with low iron loss and high magnetic induction.

•Strength & corrosion resistance: For automotive/exterior hardware stamping parts, select stainless steel (304/316) or high-strength cold-rolled steel (SPCC/DC04) to meet environmental and durability requirements.

•Stamping process adaptability: For continuous stamping (progressive stamping), select materials with good ductility and uniform hardness (HV 100-150) to avoid cracking, burrs, or mold wear during high-speed stamping.

Process & Specification Parameters

Clarify strict technical parameters to ensure raw materials match the production process and product tolerances:

•Thickness & tolerance: Precision stamping parts (e.g., micro terminals) require raw material thickness tolerance of ±0.005~±0.01mm; common thickness ranges for Jiaxin's products: 0.1~3.0mm.

•Surface quality: Require no scratches, oxidation, oil stains, or burrs (surface roughness Ra ≤ 0.8μm) to avoid defective finished products and mold damage.

•Hardness & ductility: Match hardness according to stamping difficulty-soft materials for complex bending processes, slightly harder materials for precision cutting.

Cost & Quantity Budget

•Quantity confirmation: Determine annual/seasonal procurement volume (e.g., bulk procurement for long-term orders, small-batch trial procurement for new materials) to negotiate better prices with suppliers.

•Cost control balance: Prioritize cost-effectiveness without compromising quality. For example, use cold-rolled steel (SPCC) for general stamping parts instead of stainless steel to reduce costs; use high-purity copper for high-end terminals to ensure performance.

Export Compliance Requirements

For raw materials used in export products (Jiaxin's core business), ensure compliance with international standards:

•Environmental standards: Meet RoHS, REACH, and UL standards (no lead, cadmium, or other harmful substances) for electronic/automotive parts.

•Certifications: Require suppliers to provide material test reports (MTR), ISO certificates, and industry-specific certifications (e.g., IATF16949 for automotive materials).

Identify & Classify Raw Material Categories

Based on the precision hardware stamping industry and Jiaxin's main products, classify raw materials into core categories to streamline sourcing:

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Evaluate & Select Raw Material Suppliers

Supplier quality is the key to stable raw material supply. For precision hardware manufacturing, select suppliers based on 5 core evaluation criteria (suitable for B2B procurement and long-term cooperation):

(1)Supplier Qualifications & Certifications

•Basic qualifications: Verify business license, registration capital, production scale, and years of experience in metal material processing (prefer suppliers with 5+ years of industry experience).

•Quality certifications: Prioritize suppliers with ISO9001 (quality management system), IATF16949 (automotive industry), and RoHS/REACH (environmental compliance) certifications.

•Specialization: Choose suppliers specializing in precision metal materials (e.g., silicon steel for transformers, copper alloys for connectors) rather than general material traders to ensure professional technical support.

(2)Product Quality & Consistency

•Sample testing: Request free samples of raw materials and conduct strict inspections: