TDB offers a diverse range of metals for CNC machining, with applications in a variety of industries. Ideal for one-off prototypes as well as end-use custom parts.
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CNC Machining Metal
Selecting the right metal for CNC machining requires careful consideration of several factors, as the choice significantly impacts the final outcome. For instance, the metal may need to withstand high temperatures or have specific flexibility or strength under pressure. Key factors to evaluate include corrosion resistance, machinability, cost, weight, and aesthetic appearance. Each of these aspects contributes to ensuring the material meets the project’s requirements.
| Materials | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | High machinability + Good strength-to-weight ratio | $ |
| Stainless Steel | Good machinability + High tensile strength + Corrosion resistant | $$$$ |
| Steel | Good machinability + High tensile strength + Good ductility and weldability | $$$ |
| Brass | Good machinability + Excellent electrical conductivity + Low friction + Golden appearance | $$ |
| Copper | Good machinability + Excellent thermal and electrical conductivity | $$ |
| Titanium | Excellent strength to weight ratio + Corrosion resistant | $$$$$ |
| Magnesium | Lightweight + High Strength-to-Weight Ratio + Good Thermal Conductivity + Biocompatibility | $$$ |
| Molybdenum | High Strength and Durability + Excellent Heat and Corrosion Resistance | $$ |
Aluminum
Aluminum is among the most cost-effective materials for CNC machining. In addition to its affordability, it offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio and high performance, making it ideal for producing lightweight machined parts.
Furthermore, aluminum’s high machinability enables the production of parts efficiently and at a lower cost. Various grades of aluminum are commonly used in CNC machining, including:
Aluminum 6061-T6
AL6061-T6 is the most commonly used aluminum grade in CNC machining. It is a cost-effective option known for its excellent machinability, workability, and resistance to atmospheric corrosion. However, it has limitations, including low resistance to salt water and certain chemicals. This aluminum grade is well-suited for applications such as construction materials, aerospace components, and transportation equipment.Aluminum 7075-T6
AL7075-T6 is a premium-grade aluminum known for its exceptional strength, making it a preferred choice for CNC machined parts in industries such as automotive and aerospace. Its combination of ductility, toughness, and fatigue resistance makes it ideal for producing high-stress structural components.Aluminum 6082
AL6082 is a commonly used aluminum grade for machining, offering the highest strength among the 6000 series, even surpassing AL6061. Its impressive strength is attributed to its high manganese content, which enhances grain structure control. Additionally, AL6082 exhibits excellent corrosion resistance, making it a popular choice for applications in the aerospace and defense industries.
Stainless Steels
While stainless steel is not as highly machinable as aluminum, it still offers good machinability and comes with an affordable CNC machining cost. This makes it a viable alternative for producing components or parts through machining.
Various stainless steel grades are well-suited for CNC machining, with the most common ones including:
SS304
SS304 is one of the most widely used stainless steel grades for machining, known for its excellent formability and weldability. It is commonly used in the production of kitchen utensils and appliances. Additionally, SS304 is frequently employed in manufacturing pipes and machinery for food handling applications due to its durability and resistance to corrosion.SS303
SS303 is a stainless steel grade known for its excellent corrosion resistance and durability, making it ideal for fabricating gears, shafts, bushings, nuts and bolts, and aircraft fittings. This grade contains 17% chromium, 8% nickel, and 0.15% sulfur, which enhances its machinability. However, the sulfur content prevents SS303 from being hardened through heat treatment.SS316
SS316 is a stainless steel grade renowned for its exceptional corrosion resistance and strength. Its superior resistance to corrosion is largely attributed to its 2% to 3% molybdenum content, in addition to its chromium and nickel composition. The high strength and durability of SS316 make it particularly suitable for specialized applications in the aerospace industry and medical implants.
Copper
Copper is highly valued for its exceptional thermal and electrical conductivity, making it an ideal choice for manufacturing electrical components and products. While copper is relatively expensive, it offers excellent machinability, which contributes to its widespread use in precision machining applications.
Brass
Brass is a metal alloy composed of copper and zinc, known for its excellent machinability and tensile strength. It also offers superior thermal and electrical conductivity.
In addition, brass naturally resists saltwater corrosion and retains its properties even in low-temperature environments. Its high workability allows for achieving a smooth, aesthetically pleasing polish, making it versatile for various applications.
However, brass has medium hardness and is relatively expensive, which can increase machining costs. Despite this, it is an ideal material for manufacturing electrical components, plumbing systems, automotive parts, musical instruments, and medical devices.
Titanium
Titanium is a metal renowned for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to high temperatures and chemicals. Its high strength and biocompatibility make it an excellent choice for manufacturing medical devices. Additionally, titanium is widely used in the aerospace sector and the high-end automotive industry.
However, the high cost of titanium raw material makes it one of the more expensive metals to machine.
What Factors Should Be Considered When Choosing A Metal for CNC Machining?
Selecting the right material is crucial in determining both the cost and functionality of the final product. The appropriate material allows for an optimal balance between performance, cost, and machinability.
Here are key factors to consider when choosing a material for CNC machining:
CNC Machining Time
The choice of metal significantly impacts the time required for machining. Metals with low machinability demand more time to process compared to highly machinable metals like aluminum, which offers precision and efficiency. Longer machining times directly increase manufacturing costs.
Another key factor influencing machining time is the complexity of the parts. CNC machines require more time to produce intricate designs than simpler ones, further driving up machining costs.
Strength and Environment Requirements for the CNC Machined Parts
The intended application of CNC machined parts plays a critical role in selecting the appropriate metal. For example, components subjected to heavy stress and loading are best made from high-strength metals like steel alloys, while applications requiring strength similar to steel but with reduced weight, such as in aircraft manufacturing, may benefit from titanium.
Additionally, the operating environment of the part is a crucial consideration. Factors like exposure to corrosion, extreme temperatures, or specific chemicals should guide the choice of metal to ensure durability and optimal performance.
Finishes and Post-Processing for CNC Machined Metals
The type of metal chosen also impacts the finishing and post-processing requirements of machined parts. For instance, soft metals or hard-to-machine metals often have tooling marks and burrs that need to be removed during post-processing.
While finishing and post-processing enhance the appearance and quality of the final part, they also increase machining costs significantly. Understanding the specific finishing and post-processing requirements beforehand can guide the selection of the most suitable metal for fabrication. In most cases, it will be a metal with high manufacturability if a high-quality surface finish is important.
CNC Machining Services For Metal Parts
Metal machining is a highly specialized process best handled by professional machinists. TDB Machining Shop is a leading precision metal fabrication company globally, offering both offline and online CNC machining services at competitive prices.
Here are the CNC machining services for your metal parts:
