Materials We Machine

We work with over 50 engineering materials—from common aluminum to high‑temperature exotics. If you’re not sure what to specify, we can help you choose based on strength, weight, corrosion resistance, and cost.

All materials listed here are compatible with our CNC milling, turning, and 5‑axis services.

Metal Materials

Material Key Properties Common Applications Notes
Aluminum 6061‑T6 Good strength, lightweight, corrosion resistant Aerospace fittings, automotive parts, enclosures Most common; anodizes well
Aluminum 7075 Very high strength (comparable to steel) Aerospace structural parts, bicycle components Less weldable; good for high stress
Aluminum 2024 High strength, good fatigue resistance Aircraft structures, military hardware Poor corrosion resistance
Aluminum 5083 Excellent marine corrosion resistance Boat parts, chemical equipment Good for welding
Stainless 304 Good corrosion resistance, formable Food equipment, architectural, general purpose Most common stainless
Stainless 316 Superior corrosion resistance (marine grade) Medical devices, marine hardware, chemical plants Higher nickel content
Stainless 17‑4PH High strength, heat treatable Aerospace, oil & gas, medical instruments Good wear resistance
Steel 1018 Low carbon, good machinability Shafts, pins, general machining Easy to machine
Steel 1045 Medium carbon, stronger than 1018 Gears, bolts, structural parts Can be heat treated
Steel 4140 Alloy steel, tough, good fatigue strength Heavy‑duty components, tooling Through‑hardening
Tool Steel A2 Air‑hardening, wear resistant Dies, punches, cutting tools Good dimensional stability
Tool Steel D2 High carbon, high chromium, very wear resistant Long‑run tooling, blades Difficult to machine
Titanium Grade 2 Commercially pure, corrosion resistant Chemical equipment, marine Excellent biocompatibility
Titanium Grade 5 (Ti6Al4V) High strength, lightweight, biocompatible Aerospace, medical implants, high‑performance Standard titanium alloy
Copper C110 Excellent electrical conductivity Electrical components, bus bars Soft; can be difficult to machine
Brass C360 Free‑machining, corrosion resistant Fittings, valves, decorative hardware Very machinable
Bronze C932 Good bearing properties Bushings, gears, bearings High friction applications

Plastics Materials

Material Key Properties Common Applications Notes
PEEK High temp (260°C), chemical resistant, strong Medical implants, aerospace, semiconductor Expensive; machines well
Ultem (PEI) High strength, flame retardant Aerospace interiors, medical devices Good electrical insulator
PTFE (Teflon) Low friction, chemical resistant Seals, bearings, electrical insulation Very soft; requires sharp tools
POM (Delrin) High stiffness, low friction, dimensionally stable Gears, bushings, precision parts Machines like metal
Nylon Tough, wear resistant Gears, rollers, structural parts Can absorb moisture
ABS Impact resistant, good finish Enclosures, consumer goods, prototypes Easy to machine
Polycarbonate Impact resistant, transparent Lenses, housings, medical devices Can crack with stress
Acrylic (PMMA) Optical clarity, good weatherability Displays, windows, lighting Can craze with solvents
PP (Polypropylene) Chemical resistant, lightweight Tanks, chemical equipment Soft; can be difficult to machine

How to Choose the Right Material

What's the application?

  • Aerospace: Aluminum 7075, Titanium, Inconel
  • Medical: Stainless 316, Titanium, PEEK
  • Automotive: Steel 4140, Aluminum 6061
  • Consumer: Aluminum 6061, ABS, Polycarbonate

What are the mechanical requirements?

  • High strength: Steel 4140, Aluminum 7075, Titanium
  • Light weight: Aluminum, Titanium, PEEK
  • Wear resistance: Tool steel, Hardcoat anodized aluminum
  • Corrosion resistance: Stainless 316, Titanium, Inconel

What's the operating environment?

  • High temperature: Inconel, Titanium, PEEK
  • Chemical exposure: PTFE, Stainless 316, Hastelloy
  • Outdoor: Aluminum (anodized), Stainless 304/316

What's your budget?

  • Low: Aluminum 6061, Steel 1018, ABS
  • Medium: Stainless 304, Aluminum 7075, Delrin
  • High: Titanium, Inconel, PEEK

Material Selection Tips for CNC Machining

  • Aluminum is the sweet spot: Easy to machine, inexpensive, and anodizes well. Start here unless you need something specific.

  • Stainless needs sharp tools and rigid setups: We can do it, but it takes longer and costs more than aluminum.

  • Hard materials wear tools faster: Inconel, tool steels, and titanium require slower speeds and more frequent tool changes. This affects cost.

  • Plastics are trickier than they look: They melt, warp, and move during machining. We adjust feeds, speeds, and tool geometries to handle it.

  • Consider finishing: Aluminum anodizes beautifully. Stainless can be electropolished or passivated. Plastics can be vapor polished or painted.

  • Tolerances shift with material: Some materials move after machining (stress relief, moisture absorption). We account for this in process planning.

FAQ

Aluminum 6061. It machines quickly, holds tight tolerances, and is inexpensive. For plastic prototypes, ABS or Delrin are good choices.

Yes. We can run multiple materials in a single order. Each part is tracked separately with its own material certs.

We maintain inventory of common sizes in 6061, 304, 316, and 12L14. For other materials, we order to your job—typically 1–2 day lead time.

Please inform us of the material name and specification you require. We need to consult with our material suppliers. If the material is available, the corresponding material certificate will also be provided to you to ensure its accuracy.

 Include the material designation (e.g., “Aluminum 6061‑T6”) in the title block or notes. If you need certs, note “MTR required.”

Not Sure What to Choose?

Send us your drawing and performance requirements. We’ll recommend the most cost‑effective material that meets your needs—no upselling, just engineering.

Talk to an Engineer
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