Materials Suitable for CNC Machining

In CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining, material selection is indeed a basic and critical step. It is directly related to the smoothness of the processing process, the quality of the final product, and the economic efficiency of the overall production. Specifically, the physical properties of the material (such as hardness, toughness, thermal conductivity, etc.), mechanical properties (such as strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, etc.) and the difficulty of processing are all important factors that determine processing efficiency and finished product quality.

This article will cover the materials commonly used in CNC machining, such as aluminum alloy, stainless steel, brass, titanium alloy, and various plastics. Each material has its own unique physical properties, mechanical properties, and processing characteristics, suitable for different application scenarios. By analyzing the characteristics and advantages of these materials, we will provide you with a practical material selection guide.

CNC Machining of Metal

Aluminum Profile:

Aluminum is a silvery-white light metal that is ductile and easy to cut, extrude and cast. Various surface treatment processes, such as anodizing, can improve corrosion resistance and decorative properties.

Types of Aluminum:

Aluminum 6063

Aluminum 6063 is a low-alloyed Al-Mg-Si alloy with high plasticity, and is an aluminum alloy that can be strengthened by heat treatment.

Features: It has high plasticity and toughness, and is easy to process such as cutting, bending, drilling and welding. It also has high strength and rigidity.

Aluminum 6061

Aluminum 6061 is an aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy that can be heat-treated and strengthened.

Features: The internal components are dense and uniform, and the hardness of the whole plate is uniform; it is also easy to weld and electroplate.

Aluminum 6075

Aluminum 6075 is an aluminum alloy material. It usually contains alloy elements such as copper, zinc, manganese, silicon, and magnesium.

Features: Easy to process into various profiles, plates, etc.

Steel :

The processing performance is stable and it can be processed into complex shapes through forging, rolling, welding and other methods . At the same time, the steel has high strength and is suitable for manufacturing parts and structural parts that bear large loads .

Copper :

It has good electrical and thermal conductivity, good plasticity during processing, is easy to hot press and cold process, and has good weldability, making it suitable for the electrical, electronic and refrigeration industries.

Brass :

It has good wear resistance, excellent cutting performance, can withstand hot and cold pressure processing, and is suitable for manufacturing various structural parts, especially those that require wear resistance and corrosion resistance.

Titanium Alloy :

With the characteristics of high strength and low density, it is an important material in the fields of aerospace, etc. Titanium alloy is difficult to process, and due to its high strength, low thermal conductivity and chemical reactivity, special processing technology and cutting parameters are required, but the finished product has excellent strength and light weight.

CNC Machining Plastics

POM:

It is easy to process by injection molding and has good fluidity . It has a high shrinkage rate and excellent wear resistance, making it suitable for parts with high wear resistance requirements.

ABS Resin:

It has high impact strength and surface hardness . It has good injection molding processability and high surface finish after molding. It has moderate fluidity, good dimensional stability and low shrinkage. It is easy to color and dye, and can be mixed with other resins to form alloys .

Nylon:

It has high tensile strength, good impact resistance and outstanding durability , making it suitable for manufacturing components such as bearings and gears.

PEEK:

It is a high-performance special engineering plastic with good high-temperature stability and chemical resistance, and can maintain high strength and rigidity in high-temperature environments .

PE:

It is a lightweight, flexible polymer with good electrical insulation and chemical stability. PE has good processing performance and is suitable for various molding methods such as injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion.

How to choose the right material for CNC machined parts?

When choosing CNC machining materials, a comprehensive evaluation framework is essential, covering multiple key dimensions from machining environment to long-term benefits. The following is a refined and integrated guide to help you make a more informed decision:

Processing Environment Adaptability

Temperature and humidity considerations: Choose materials that can remain stable in high temperature or high humidity environments to avoid the risk of thermal expansion, cracking, and loss of cutting performance.

Coolant compatibility: Ensure that the selected material is compatible with the coolant to be used to improve processing efficiency, ensure processing quality, and prevent material corrosion.

Heat Resistance

Heat resistance: Pay attention to the stability of materials under high temperature conditions, prevent thermal expansion and warping, and ensure processing accuracy and product quality.

Other Key Factors

Material rigidity: Ensure that the selected material has sufficient rigidity to maintain stability and wear resistance during product design and use.

Material stability: For products with high precision requirements, materials with good stability are preferred to avoid deformation problems after assembly and during use.

Processing performance optimization: Consider the processing difficulty of the material and select materials that can reduce processing costs and improve production efficiency.

Appearance and Surface Quality

Surface finish: According to product requirements, select materials that can easily achieve the required finish to meet the product’s appearance and functional requirements.

Aesthetics: For products that focus on appearance, consider the material texture, color, and surface finish to enhance the overall appeal and market competitiveness of the product.

Final Application Considerations

Application scenario matching: Select materials with corresponding properties based on the final use of the product and the working environment, such as corrosion resistance, high strength and other requirements.

Budget and Long-Term Benefits

Cost control: Set a reasonable budget range and select cost-effective materials to control costs and improve economic benefits.

Long-term benefit assessment: Comprehensively consider the durability, maintenance cost and replacement frequency of the material, and select materials that can bring long-term economic benefits.

In Conclusion

In the field of CNC machining, different materials exhibit different characteristics and are suitable for specific application scenarios. For example, metal materials are the first choice for heavy industrial products due to their high strength and corrosion resistance. Plastics, on the other hand, have a place in the field of consumer electronics and automotive lightweight due to their lightweight, easy processing and high cost-effectiveness. Therefore, it is crucial to flexibly select the most suitable material according to the performance requirements, cost budget and production cycle of a specific project.

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