Knowing Your Material Options for CNC Machining

CNC machining is a highly accurate and repeatable manufacturing process used for prototypes and production parts. A subtractive process, CNC machining involves cutting material away from a solid block using computer-controlled cutting tools like drills and lathes. The result is a professional-quality part suitable for mechanical use.

One of the biggest advantages of CNC machining is its material versatility. Though commonly used to cut aluminum and steel alloys, the process is equally suited to a wide range of engineering metals, as well as high-quality plastics. Many of these materials can be treated with a variety of finishing options after machining.

Before diving straight into a CNC machining project, it’s worth getting acquainted with the large number of material options at your disposal.

Prioritizing Material Properties

Given the vast array of material options for CNC machining, it is highly likely that there will be a suitable material for your prototyping or production job.

Finding that material, however, depends on your priorities: do you need a metal with exceptional mechanical properties, such as a titanium alloy? Or is speed a priority, leading you to more machinable materials like Aluminum 6061 or a plastic like Delrin? Do you simply want a machined prototype at the lowest possible price?

Factors to consider when choosing a material for CNC machining include:

Price
Machinability
Strength
Weight
Chemical resistance
Thermal resistance
Hardness
Weldability

Of course, it won’t always be possible to find a material that meets all of your criteria to the highest possible degree. The very strongest machining materials are rarely the cheapest, and choosing added strength may lead to a reduction in chemical resistance or some other property.

Identify which properties are of greatest importance and work from there.

Selecting a Material

The best way to determine the best and most suitable CNC machining material is to consult an expert like China Medical CNC Machining Inc.. Once we know the outline of your project, we can help you come to a decision regarding materials, finishing processes and much more depending on your goals, budget and timeframe.

However, if you want to draw up a shortlist of potential machining materials in advance, it is worth getting acquainted with the options out there.

From versatile aluminum alloys to specialist engineering plastics, here are some of the materials from which CNC parts can be made:

Aluminum

Aluminum is a versatile metal that is affordable and easy to machine. It has a good strength-to-weight ratio, and its sheer variety means there is a suitable alloy for most machining projects.

Common aluminum grades include:

Grade	Example application	Advantage	Disadvantage
6061	General fabrication	Versatility
7075	Aerospace	Strength	Weldability
5052	Marine	Corrosion resistance
3003	Food	Formability	Not heat treatable

China Medical CNC Machining Inc. also offers aluminum machining in grades 1060, 1100, 2024, 3004, 5083, 5754, 6082, 6063, 6083, 7050, 5A12 and 5A02.

Stainless Steel

Widely used in a number of industries due to their corrosion resistance and other desirable properties, stainless steels come in a variety of grades, many of which are suitable for CNC machining.

Common stainless steel grades include:

Grade	Example application	Advantage	Disadvantage
304	Medical devices	Corrosion resistance
303	Aerospace	Machinability	Slightly lower corrosion resistance
316	Architecture	Corrosion resistance	Price

Steel

Mild steels and alloy steels come in many machinable variants, many of which are suitable for general fabrication, tooling and specialist industries.

Common steel grades include:

Grade	Example application	Advantage	Disadvantage
A36	Construction	Strength
1018	Machinery	Weldability	Machinability
Alloy Steel 4130	Aerospace	Toughness

China Medical CNC Machining Inc. also offers steel machining in Alloy Steel 4140 and ASTM A36.

Other Metals

Beyond aluminum and steel, it is also possible to machine metals such as brass, copper, titanium and zinc, offering engineers a wider range of physical properties for their parts. Copper, for example, is an excellent conductor, making it suitable for electrical parts.

Other machinable metals include:

Grade	Example application	Advantage	Disadvantage
Brass C360	Industry	Machinability
Copper	Electrical components	Thermal conductivity
Titanium 6Al-4V	Aerospace	Strength-to-weight	Price

China Medical CNC Machining Inc. also offers metal machining in other brass, copper and titanium grades, as well as Zinc Sheet Alloy 500.

Plastics

CNC machines are equally capable of cutting plastics, which may be preferred for cost, electrical insulation or other reasons. Plastics are often a suitable prototyping material when the final part will be made with injection molding.

Machinable plastics include:

Grade	Example application	Advantage	Disadvantage
POM (Delrin)	Mechanical parts	Machinability	Acid resistance
PTFE (Teflon)	Electrical components	Heat & chemical resistance
ABS	Consumer products	Impact strength	Heat resistance