WRONG MATERIAL, ALL IN VAIN!
There are many materials suitable for CNC processing. To find a suitable material for the product, it is restricted by many factors. A basic principle that needs to be followed is: the performance of the material must meet the various technical requirements of the product and the environmental use requirements. When choosing the material of mechanical parts, the following 5 aspects can be considered：
01 Whether the rigidity of the material is sufficient
Rigidity is the primary consideration when selecting materials, because the product needs a certain degree of stability and wear resistance in actual work, and the rigidity of the material determines the feasibility of the product design.
According to the characteristics of the industry, 45 steel and aluminum alloy are usually selected for non-standard tooling design; 45 steel and alloy steel are used more for tooling design of machining; most of the tooling design of automation industry will choose aluminum alloy.
02 How stable is the material
For a product that requires high precision, if it is not stable enough, various deformations will occur after assembly, or it will be deformed again during use. In short, it is constantly deforming with changes in the environment such as temperature, humidity and vibration. For the product, it's a nightmare.
03 What is the processing performance of the material
The processing performance of the material means whether the part is easy to process. Although stainless steel is anti-rust, stainless steel is not easy to process, its hardness is relatively high, and it is easy to wear the tool during processing. Processing small holes on stainless steel, especially threaded holes, is easy to break the drill bit and tap, which will lead to very high processing costs.
04 Anti-rust treatment of materials
Anti-rust treatment is related to the stability and appearance quality of the product. For example, 45 steel usually chooses "blackening" treatment for rust prevention, or paints and sprays the parts, and can also use sealing oil or antirust liquid for protection during use according to the requirements of the environment...
There are many anti-rust treatment processes, but if the above methods are not suitable, then the material must be replaced, such as stainless steel. In any case, the rust prevention problem of the product cannot be ignored.
05 What is the material cost
Cost is an important consideration in choosing materials. Titanium alloys are light in weight, high in specific strength, and good in corrosion resistance. They are widely used in automotive engine systems and play an inestimable role in energy saving and consumption reduction.
Although titanium alloy parts have such superior performance, the main reason that hinders the widespread application of titanium alloys in the automotive industry is the high cost. If you don't really need it, go for a cheaper material.
Here are some common materials used for machined parts and their key characteristics:
Aluminum 6061
This is the most commonly used material for CNC machining, with medium strength, good corrosion resistance, weldability, and good oxidation effect. However, aluminum 6061 has poor corrosion resistance when exposed to salt water or other chemicals. It is also not as strong as other aluminum alloys for more demanding applications and is commonly used in automotive parts, bicycle frames, sporting goods, aerospace fixtures, and electrical fixtures.
Aluminum 7075
Aluminum 7075 is one of the highest strength aluminum alloys. Unlike 6061, aluminum 7075 has high strength, easy processing, good wear resistance, strong corrosion resistance, and good oxidation resistance. It is the best choice for high-strength entertainment equipment, automobiles and aerospace frames. Ideal choice.
CNC Machining Aluminum 7075 / HY CNC
Brass
Brass has the advantages of high strength, high hardness, chemical corrosion resistance, easy processing, etc., and has excellent electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, ductility, and deep drawability. It is often used to manufacture valves, water pipes, connecting pipes for internal and external air conditioners and Radiators, stamped products of various complex shapes, small hardware, various parts of machinery and electrical appliances, stamped parts and musical instrument parts, etc. There are many types of brass, and its corrosion resistance decreases with the increase of zinc content.
CNC Machining Brass / HY CNC
Copper
The electrical and thermal conductivity of pure copper (also known as copper) is second only to silver, and it is widely used in the production of electrical and thermal equipment. Copper has good corrosion resistance in the atmosphere, seawater and some non-oxidizing acids (hydrochloric acid, dilute sulfuric acid), alkali, salt solution and various organic acids (acetic acid, citric acid), and is often used in the chemical industry.
CNC Machining Copper / HY CNC
Stainless steel 303
303 stainless steel has good machinability, burning resistance and corrosion resistance, and is used in occasions requiring easy cutting and high surface finish. Commonly used in stainless steel nuts and bolts, threaded medical devices, pump and valve parts, etc. However, it should not be used for marine grade fittings.
CNC Machining Stainless Steel 303 / HY CNC
Stainless steel 304
304 is a versatile stainless steel with good processability and high toughness. It is also more resistant to corrosion in most normal (non-chemical) environments and is an excellent material choice for use in industry, construction, automotive trim, kitchen fittings, tanks and plumbing.
CNC Machining Stainless Steel 304 / HY CNC
Stainless Steel 316
316 has good heat resistance and corrosion resistance, and has good stability in chlorine-containing and non-oxidizing acid environments, so it is generally considered a marine grade stainless steel. It's also tough, welds easily, and is often used in construction and marine fittings, industrial pipes and tanks, and automotive trim.
CNC Machining Stainless Steel 316 / HY CNC
45 # Steel
High-quality carbon structural steel is the most commonly used medium carbon quenched and tempered steel. 45 steel has good comprehensive mechanical properties, low hardenability, and is prone to cracks during water quenching. It is mainly used to manufacture high-strength moving parts, such as turbine impellers and compressor pistons. Shafts, gears, racks, worms, etc.
CNC Machining 45 # Steel / HY CNC
40Cr steel
40Cr steel is one of the most widely used steels in machinery manufacturing industry. It has good comprehensive mechanical properties, low temperature impact toughness and low notch sensitivity.
After quenching and tempering, it is used to manufacture parts with medium speed and medium load; after quenching and tempering and high-frequency surface quenching, it is used to manufacture parts with high surface hardness and wear resistance; after quenching and tempering at medium temperature, it is used to manufacture heavy-duty, medium-speed parts Impact parts; after quenching and low-temperature tempering, it is used to manufacture heavy-duty, low-impact, and wear-resistant parts; after carbonitriding, it is used to manufacture transmission parts with larger dimensions and higher low-temperature impact toughness.
CNC Machining 40Cr S teel / HY CNC
In addition to metal materials, high-precision CNC machining services are also compatible with a variety of plastics. Below are some of the most widely used plastic materials for CNC machining.
Nylon
Nylon is wear-resistant, heat-resistant, chemical-resistant, has certain flame retardancy, and is easy to process. It is a good material for plastics to replace metals such as steel, iron, and copper. The most common applications for CNC machining nylon are insulators, bearings, and injection molds.
CNC Machining Nylon / HY CNC
PEEK
Another plastic with excellent machinability is PEEK, which has excellent stability and impact resistance. It is often used to manufacture compressor valve plates, piston rings, seals, etc., and can also be processed into internal/external parts of aircraft and many parts of rocket engines. PEEK is the closest material to human bones and can replace metals to make human bones.
CNC Machining PEEK / HY CNC
ABS plastic
It has excellent impact strength, good dimensional stability, good dyeability, molding and machining, high mechanical strength, high rigidity, low water absorption, good corrosion resistance, simple connection, non-toxic and tasteless, and excellent chemical properties. High performance and electrical insulation performance; it can withstand heat without deformation, and it is also a hard, scratch-resistant, and non-deformable material.
CNC Machining ABS plastic / HY CNC
