Material selection for CNC machining
Explore CNC machining materials: aluminum, steel, brass, plastic, titanium & more. High-precision custom parts with fast turnaround. Get a quote.
Plastic CNC Machining
ABS
ABS is a thermoplastic polymer widely used in many fields. It has a series of ideal mechanical properties, such as high impact resistance, excellent heat resistance, and good machinability. In addition, ABS materials are available in a variety of colors and finishes, making them widely used in various applications such as automotive parts, toys, consumer electronics, and home appliances.
PC
Polycarbonate (PC) is a thermoplastic polymer with excellent mechanical properties, including high toughness, strong impact resistance, and outstanding machinability. In addition, it is renowned for its optical transparency, making it one of the preferred materials for applications requiring high transparency.
PA
POM
POM is renowned for its excellent mechanical properties, including high rigidity and strength, low friction, and good wear resistance. These characteristics make it the material of choice for parts that need to withstand high stress and loads (such as gears, bearings, and other mechanical components).
PEEK
PEEK is a material with a high strength-to-weight ratio, high temperature resistance, and excellent chemical resistance. It can also be easily machined, molded, or extruded into various shapes and sizes.
PETF
PTFE is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, renowned for its exceptional chemical resistance, low friction, and non-stick properties. It is ideal for applications requiring low friction and non-stick properties, such as bearings, slides, and other mechanical components.
PP
PP is a thermoplastic that can be easily molded or extruded into various shapes and sizes. It has good mechanical properties, including high strength and stiffness, making it suitable for creating functional prototypes.
PMMA
PMMA is renowned for its optical transparency and high light transmission, making it the material of choice for applications where transparency is important, such as automotive lighting, sunroofs, and display cases. It is more visible than PC. It has poor chemical resistance and is fragile and easily damaged.
HDPE
HDPE has excellent strength and durability, enabling it to resist impact, abrasion, and other types of wear and tear. It also has good chemical resistance and can withstand exposure to a range of chemicals, including acids, alkalis, and organic solvents.
LDPE
LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is a type of low-density polyethylene, typically ranging from 0.910 to 0.940 g/cm3. It is known for its flexibility, toughness, and chemical resistance.
PBT
PBT has excellent mechanical properties, including high strength and stiffness, making it suitable for applications requiring strength and durability. PBT and PET require UV protection when used outdoors, and most grades of these polyesters are flammable.
PA+GF30
PA+GF30 is an engineering plastic made by adding 30% glass fiber to a nylon (PA) base polymer. The resulting material is known for its high strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability.
Plastic
Carbon Fiber Composite, Thermoplastics, Thermosetting Plastics, Epoxy Resin, Phenolic Resin, Urea Formaldehyde Resin, Melamine Resin, Engineering Plastics, High-performance Plastics, Conductive Plastics, Antistatic Plastics, Wear-resistant Plastics, Corrosion-resistant Plastics, Flame-retardant Plastics, Transparent Plastics,
Aluminum alloy CNC Machining
Aluminum alloy 6061-T6 |3.3211|65028|AlMg1SiCu
6061 aluminum alloy CNC machining is currently the most popular aluminum alloy. It has a good strength-to-weight ratio, excellent machinability, and natural corrosion resistance.
Aluminum alloy 6063 | EN AW-6063 | 62400 | AlMg0.7Si
6063 aluminum alloy has good mechanical properties and is often used in applications that require good formability, weldability, and corrosion resistance. It can be used for CNC machined parts.
Aluminum alloy 6082 | 3.2315 | 3.231564430 | AlSi1MgMn
6082 aluminum alloy is suitable for CNC machining, bending, welding, etc. In addition, it has excellent anodizing properties, making it an ideal material for decorative and architectural applications.
Alloy Aluminum 6060 | 3.3206 | 3.3206AlMgSi
6060 aluminum alloy has excellent corrosion resistance and is suitable for use in outdoor and corrosive environments. 6060 aluminum alloy can be used for CNC machining of automotive parts, industrial machinery, radiators, and other components.
Aluminum alloy 2014 | 3.1255 | 3.125524345 | 24345 | AlCu4SiMg
Aluminum alloy 2014 is easy to machine with CNC, making it the material of choice for parts requiring complex shapes and designs. It also has high corrosion resistance and good weldability.
Aluminum Alloy 2024 T3
Aluminum Alloy 2024-T3: This is a high-strength alloy that is often used in CNC machining, industrial, and other parts due to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and good fatigue resistance.
Aluminum alloy 5083-H111 | 3.3547 | 3.354754300 | AlMg4.5Mn0.7
5083 aluminum alloy exhibits excellent resistance to saltwater corrosion, making it an ideal material for marine applications such as hulls, decks, and other components. 5083 aluminum alloy can be used for CNC machined parts, pressure vessels, and cryogenic storage tanks, among other applications.
Aluminum alloy 5052 (H32) | EN AW-5052 | 3.3523 | 3.3523 | AlMg2.5
5052-H32 aluminum alloy is a corrosion-resistant alloy. Due to its excellent resistance to saltwater corrosion, 5052-H32 aluminum alloy can be used for CNC machining of parts for ships and industrial applications.
Aluminum Alloy 7075-T6 | 3.4365 | 3.436576528 | AlZn5.5MgCu
7075-T6 aluminum alloy is a high-strength alloy renowned for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and fatigue resistance. 7075-T6 aluminum alloy can be used for CNC machining and other high-performance parts.
Aluminum alloy 7050 | EN AW-7050 | AlZn6CuMgZr
Aluminum alloy 7075 also has good machinability, weldability, and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for a variety of applications, including CNC machined parts and automotive parts.
Stainless steel CNC Machining
Stainless steel 304/304L | 1.4301/1.4306 | X2CrNi189
Stainless steel 304 is a popular choice for CNC machining due to its excellent corrosion resistance and good machinability.
Stainless steel 316/316L | 1.4401/1.4404 | X2CrNiMo1812
316 stainless steel is similar to 304 stainless steel, but with the addition of molybdenum, which improves its corrosion resistance in harsh environments. It can be used for CNC machining of marine and chemical parts.
Stainless steel 303 | 1.4305 | 1.4305X12CrNiS18.8
303 stainless steel is easy to process and can be used for CNC machining of parts such as shafts, valves, and gears.
Stainless steel 17-4 PH |1.4542 | 1.4542X5CrNiCuNb16-4
Stainless steel 17-4 PH is a precipitation hardening alloy that combines high strength and excellent corrosion resistance. It can be used for CNC machining of medical parts.
Stainless Steel 440C | 1.4125 | 1.4125X105CrMo17
Stainless Steel 440C can be used for CNC machining precision bearings, surgical instruments, and other cutting tools because it can be heat treated to achieve high hardness and edge retention. It also has good toughness and can withstand high impact loads.
Stainless steel 301 | 1.4310 | X12CrNi188
Stainless steel 301 is a non-magnetic steel with good corrosion resistance, high strength, and excellent ductility. Similar to SS304.
Stainless steel 420 | 1.4021 | 1.4021X20Cr12 | 20Cr13
402 stainless steel is a magnetic steel with good corrosion resistance and high hardness. After hardening, it is the hardest of all stainless steels.
Mild steel
Low-carbon steel 1018
Low-carbon steel 1018 has a certain degree of toughness in CNC machining, while also possessing wear resistance, fatigue resistance, machinability, weldability, and cold formability.
Low-carbon steel 1020
Low-carbon steel 1020 has low strength in CNC machining, but it has good toughness and plasticity, which can meet the requirements of some structural parts with low strength requirements.
Low-carbon steel S235JR
Low-carbon steel S235JR has a low carbon content in CNC machining and is used in ship components, automotive structural parts, and the manufacture of various tools, cutting tools, molds, and measuring instruments.
Low-carbon steel EN8, EN16, EN24T, EN29, EN39
Low-carbon steel EN8, EN16, EN24T, EN29, EN39 exhibits excellent wear resistance and superior durability in CNC machining, making it an ideal choice for manufacturing components that require wear resistance.
Low-carbon steel S355J2
Low-carbon steel S355J2 has excellent mechanical properties in CNC machining, with high tensile strength and yield strength, as well as good plasticity and toughness, and is used in shipbuilding, automotive, and other components.
Low-carbon steel 1045
S355J2 low-carbon steel in CNC machining has good strength and impact resistance. It is commonly used for shafts, gears, and other mechanical parts.
Low-carbon steel A36
Low-carbon steel A36 has good machinability and mechanical properties in CNC machining and is used to manufacture products and parts for general mechanical engineering applications.
Low-carbon steel S275JR
Low-carbon steel A36 has a relatively low carbon content in CNC machining, so it has good plasticity and toughness, making it suitable for parts that require high strength and toughness.
Alloy steel CNC Machining
4140 Alloy Steel
4140 alloy steel is generally harder and stronger than carbon steel. It is commonly used to manufacture gears, axles, shafts, and other high-stress components in the automotive and industrial sectors. It requires additional surface treatment or coating to prevent corrosion in certain applications.
4130 Alloy Steel
4130 alloy steel is commonly used in the automotive, oil and gas industries, as well as bicycle frames and other high-performance applications.
4340 Alloy Steel
4340 alloy steel can be heat treated to a variety of hardness levels, making it suitable for applications where hardness and wear resistance are important.
A514 Alloy Steel
A514 alloy steel is renowned for its high yield strength and toughness, making it an ideal choice for applications requiring high strength and durability.
1215 Alloy Steel
Alloy steel 1215 is a free-cutting alloy known for its high machinability and excellent finish. It is commonly used to manufacture screw machine parts such as gears, bushings, and shafts. It is not as strong as 4140 or 4340.
1.7220 (34CrMo4 or SCM435)
1.7220 is an ideal material for applications requiring high strength and durability.
1.7131 alloy steel (16MnCr5)
1.7131 alloy steel is commonly used for gears, shafts, axles, and other mechanical parts. It can also be used for surface hardening treatments such as carburizing, nitriding, or induction hardening to further improve its performance.
Tool steel
Tool steel O series O1, O2, O6, O7, and O84140 alloy steel
Oil-hardened tool steel. They are typically used in applications such as blanking dies, forming dies, punches, and other types of cutting tools. Hardness range: 60-64 HRC.
Tool steel D series D2, D3, D4
D series tool steels are typically hardened to HRC 58-62. They are designed for use as cutting tools or molds.
Tool steel A series, A2, A3, A4, A6, and A8
Air-hardening tool steel.
The A series of tool steels is valued for its ability to maintain hardness and toughness at high temperatures, as well as its ease of machining and resistance to deformation. Hardness range: 58-62 HRC.
Other metal CNC Machining
Copper alloy
C10100: It is an excellent electrical conductor copper. It is commonly used in electrical and electronic applications.
C11000: It is known for its high conductivity and excellent formability. It is commonly used in electrical components, roofing and waterproofing sheets, and piping installations.
C26000: It is known for its excellent machinability and corrosion resistance. It is commonly used in mechanical components, such as fittings and fasteners.
Brass
260 & 360 Brass: Good corrosion resistance. Aesthetic appeal. Good electrical conductivity. Good ductility.
Zinc
ZAMAK 5: It is typically used for prototyping parts that require higher strength and durability, such as engine parts and pumps.
ZA-8: Zinc-aluminum alloy. It is typically used for prototyping automotive parts, such as brackets and housings.
Titanium
Grade 1, 2, and 5 Titanium
Due to titanium’s high strength, low thermal conductivity, and tendency to work harden, CNC machining of titanium can be a challenging process.
Magnesium
Selecting correct magnesium material is critical to the performance of CNC-machined parts: AZ31 Magnesium, AZ61 Magnesium, AZ80 Magnesium, AM60 Magnesium, AE42 Magnesium.
CNC Machining Materials | Precision for Any Project
From prototyping to production, we deliver high-precision custom parts across a wide range of CNC machining materials. Whether you need the strength of aluminum and steel, the corrosion resistance of stainless steel and titanium, or the versatility of brass, copper, and engineering plastics (such as PEEK, Acetal, and Nylon), our CNC milling and CNC turning services are built for accuracy and repeatability.
Each material is matched with optimized cutting parameters, tooling, and post-processing options — including anodizing, plating, heat treating, and bead blasting — to meet your mechanical, thermal, and aesthetic requirements.
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