Materials Selection for Your Next Online CNC Machining Project

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Launching an online CNC machining project is an exciting step towards bringing your design to life. While factors like precision, lead time, and cost are crucial, the foundation of any successful part is the material you choose. The right material ensures functionality, durability, and costeffectiveness. As a onestop shop for custom CNC parts, we guide clients through this critical decision daily.


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The selection process begins by balancing your part's application requirements with manufacturability. Key questions to consider include: What mechanical stresses (tensile strength, impact) will it face? Does it need corrosion or heat resistance? Are weight, electrical conductivity, or aesthetic finish important? Answering these narrows the field to a suitable material family.

For most projects, the choice falls into several core categories:

Aluminum Alloys (e.g., 6061, 7075): The goto for a vast range of components. Aluminum 6061 offers an excellent strengthtoweight ratio, good machinability, and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for aerospace brackets, automotive parts, and consumer electronics enclosures. For higher strength, 7075 is preferred, though it can be more challenging to machine.

Stainless Steels (e.g., 304, 316): Chosen for their superior corrosion resistance and strength. SS304 is a versatile, allpurpose grade, while SS316 offers enhanced resistance to chemicals and saltwater, perfect for marine or medical applications. Note that stainless steels are harder to machine than aluminum, impacting tool wear and time.

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Plastics (e.g., Delrin, Nylon, PEEK): Excellent for electrical insulation, lightweight prototypes, and parts requiring low friction. Delrin (POM) is stiff and has excellent dimensional stability, ideal for gears and bearings. For highperformance applications, PEEK provides exceptional thermal and chemical resistance but comes at a higher cost.

Other Metals: Brass is prized for its aesthetics, electrical conductivity, and ease of machining for decorative or lowfriction components. Titanium offers an unparalleled strengthtoweight ratio and biocompatibility for aerospace and medical implants but is significantly more expensive and difficult to machine.



Partnering with an experienced machining service is invaluable. We provide not just the manufacturing capability but also the expertise to advise on material tradeoffs. For instance, a design might be feasible in stainless steel, but switching to aluminum could reduce weight and machining costs dramatically without compromising function.

Ultimately, informed material selection leads to parts that perform flawlessly, optimize your budget, and accelerate your timetomarket. For your next project, let’s discuss your requirements—we’ll help you choose the perfect material to ensure its success.