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By years of supplying CNC machining projects, First Mold has enhanced its skill sets on a large number of materials of CNC under any circumstances. As part of our mission to make things easier for our clients, we have divided our CNC machinable materials into groups that are easy to identify. The deepened knowledge in material properties, which is a result from our rich history of similar projects, distinguishes us as an excellent source for advices ranging from rapid prototypes to mass production orders.
This knowledge base covers the most commonly used CNC-machinable materials (including metals, plastics, and composite materials). You will be able to gain a comprehensive understanding of each CNC-machinable material's basic properties, application fields, machining challenges, price, and other relevant information.
Structural components, brackets, frames, automotive parts
Good strength-to-weight ratio, good corrosion resistance, excellent machinability, weldable, durable
Medium
Built-up edge may form at low cutting speeds; long stringy chips; requires coolant for best results
Extrusions, tubes, decorative parts, lightweight structures
Excellent extrudability, good corrosion resistance, lightweight, good surface finish
Low-Medium
Softer than 6061; more prone to chatter; requires sharp tools to avoid burrs
High-stress parts, aerospace, mold inserts, aircraft fittings
High strength, good fatigue resistance, heat-treatable, good machinability in T6 condition
Medium-High
Higher hardness causes faster tool wear; internal stress may cause warping; needs rigid setup
Aerospace structures, high-performance parts, aircraft components
Very high strength, good machinability, low corrosion resistance, used in critical applications
Medium-High
Prone to built-up edge; requires polished tools; lower corrosion resistance needs protection
Marine parts, enclosures, fuel tanks, sheet metal components
Excellent corrosion resistance, good formability, moderate strength, weldable
Low-Medium
Can work-harden during cutting; requires sharp tools to avoid tearing
Food equipment, medical parts, chemical components, general parts
Excellent corrosion resistance, good formability, non-magnetic, durable
Medium
High work-hardening rate; dulls tools quickly; requires sharp carbide tools
Marine hardware, medical devices, chemical processing equipment
Molybdenum added for superior saltwater and chemical corrosion resistance, high durability
Medium-High
Severe work hardening, poor chip breaking, requires stable cutting parameters and anti-wear tools
Shafts, fasteners, gears, mechanical structural parts
Free-cutting stainless steel with sulfur addition, excellent machinability, magnetic
Low-Medium
Good cutting performance, but low corrosion resistance; easy to produce fine powder chips
Mold parts, tool parts, wear-resistant components, medical instruments
High hardness and wear resistance after heat treatment, moderate corrosion resistance
Medium
High hardness leads to tool wear; pre-heat treatment machining recommended
General structural parts, brackets, jigs, conventional mechanical parts
Low cost, good toughness, easy welding and processing, widely used general steel
Low
Soft and easy to deform, burrs are obvious, need deburring after processing
Shaft parts, connecting rods, gears, high-strength structural parts
Balanced strength and toughness, heat treatable, excellent comprehensive mechanical properties
Low-Medium
Moderate cutting difficulty; attention to cooling to prevent thermal deformation
Precision molds, stamping dies, wear-resistant mechanical parts
Ultra-high hardness, excellent wear resistance and dimensional stability
High
Extremely high hardness, slow cutting speed, serious tool loss, must use hard alloy tools
Fittings, valves, electrical connectors, decorative components
Excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance, high ductility, nice surface finish
Medium-High
Soft material may cause burrs; sharp tools required for clean cuts
Heat sinks, conductive parts, electronic components, thermal modules
Superior thermal and electrical conductivity, malleable, corrosion resistant
High
Extremely ductile, easily produces long chips and deformation; low cutting speed needed
Aerospace, medical implants, high-temperature resistant parts
Lightweight, ultra-high strength, outstanding corrosion resistance, biocompatible
Very High
Poor thermal conductivity, high cutting temperature, severe tool wear, low feed speed required
Housings, casings, structural plastic parts, daily products
Good toughness, impact resistance, low cost, easy machining and bonding
Low
Easy to melt by heat; high-speed cutting may cause edge melting
Transparent covers, anti-impact parts, protective shields
High transparency, strong impact resistance, rigid and durable
Low-Medium
Prone to cracking under stress; sharp tools needed to avoid chipping
Gears, sliding parts, wear-resistant plastic components
Low friction coefficient, high hardness, excellent wear resistance
Low-Medium
Low heat resistance; thermal expansion may cause dimension errors
Transparent panels, lenses, decorative parts, light guides
High light transmittance, good weather resistance, rigid, easy to polish
Low-Medium
Brittle material, easy to crack and chip; requires sharp tools and low feed
Tanks, liners, corrosion-resistant parts, lightweight components
Excellent chemical resistance, low density, non-toxic, tough
Low
Soft and elastic, difficult to obtain high precision; easy to produce burrs
Chemical containers, medical parts, living hinges, lightweight parts
Good chemical resistance, heat resistance, lightweight, low cost
Low
High thermal expansion; easy to warp and deform during machining
Gears, bearings, wear pads, structural mechanical parts
High strength, good wear resistance, self-lubricating, tough
Low-Medium
Hygroscopic material; absorbs moisture and causes dimensional changes
Seals, gaskets, high-temperature parts, non-stick components
Extreme chemical resistance, wide temperature range, low friction
Medium-High
Soft and gummy; difficult to hold tight tolerances; easy to deform
Buffer parts, rollers, wear-resistant pads, elastic components
High elasticity, excellent wear resistance, good shock absorption
Low-Medium
Elasticity causes tool deflection; difficult to achieve sharp corners
High-temperature parts, medical components, precision industrial parts
Ultra-high temperature resistance, high strength, corrosion resistance, wear resistance
Very High
High hardness and heat resistance; high processing temperature, strict parameter control required
Anti-corrosion equipment, chemical pipes, insulating parts
Low cost, excellent chemical stability, good insulation, rigid
Low
Heat-sensitive, easy to decompose and crack; low cutting speed is necessary
Electrical insulation parts, fixture jigs, heat-resistant accessories
High insulation, high temperature resistance, anti-static, low shrinkage
Low-Medium
Brittle, easy to chip and crack; dust generated during processing needs protection
Lightweight high-strength structural parts, automation fixtures, aerospace accessories
Light weight, ultra-high strength, high rigidity, corrosion resistance
High
Layered structure easy to delaminate; carbon fiber dust is conductive and abrasive to tools
Insulating structural parts, test fixtures, electronic isolation components
Excellent insulation, high temperature resistance, stable dimension, anti-aging
Low-Medium
Glass fiber is severely abrasive; tool wear is fast, edge chipping easily occurs
Wear-resistant parts, insulating parts, high-temperature industrial components
High hardness, wear resistance, high temperature resistance, insulation and corrosion resistance
Medium-High
Extremely brittle; easy to break; must use special ceramic cutting tools and slow cutting
Marine structures, pressure vessels, cryogenic parts
Excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, weldable
Low-Medium
Work hardening tendency; requires sharp tools and coolant
Marine components, tanks, enclosures
High corrosion resistance, good weldability, moderate strength
Low-Medium
Can produce stringy chips; coolant recommended
Sheet parts, conductive components, decorative parts
Pure aluminum, excellent ductility, high conductivity
Low
Very soft; easy to deform and produce burrs
Conductive parts, heat sinks, light components
High conductivity, excellent formability, soft
Low
Soft and sticky; requires sharp tools
Structural beams, heavy-duty frames, machinery parts
High strength, good corrosion resistance, extrudable
Medium
Moderate hardness; standard machining practices apply
Aerospace structural parts, high-load components
Ultra-high strength, good toughness, heat treatable
Medium-High
High hardness; tool wear is significant; rigid setup required
High performance industrial parts, aerospace fixtures
Highest strength aluminum alloy, excellent mechanical properties
High
High tensile strength causes rapid tool wear, strict fixture needed
High temperature furnace parts, heat treatment equipment
Excellent high temperature oxidation resistance, heat resistant
Medium-High
High temperature strength leads to heavy cutting load and tool loss
High temperature pipeline parts, vibration resistant components
Titanium stabilized, anti intergranular corrosion, heat resistance
Medium
Easy work hardening, low cutting efficiency
Bearings, cutters, high hardness wear parts
Ultra high hardness, strong wear resistance, martensitic stainless steel
Medium-High
Hardened material, difficult cutting, must use high hardness tools
Shafts, gears, high strength mechanical transmission parts
Good hardenability, high fatigue resistance, stable performance
Low-Medium
Uniform texture, moderate cutting resistance
Mechanical shafts, hydraulic parts, mold holders
Chromium molybdenum alloy steel, high toughness and strength
Medium
Tough material, easy to form built-up edge
Heavy-duty gears, axles, high-load aerospace components
Ultra-high toughness, fatigue resistance, deep hardening capability
Medium-High
High toughness causes chip entanglement; requires powerful machine tools
Plastic molds, die-casting molds, high-temperature tooling
Heat-resistant, wear-resistant, high toughness, excellent thermal stability
Medium-High
Pre-hardened state with high hardness; carbide tools mandatory
Corrosion-resistant molds, optical molds, medical mold parts
Stainless mold steel, anti-corrosion, high polishability
High
Strong work hardening, slow cutting speed, high tool consumption
Springs, elastic parts, vibration damping components
High elasticity, fatigue resistance, impact resistance
Low-Medium
Elastic deformation during cutting, easy to rebound
Bearings, bushings, wear-resistant copper parts, elastic components
High wear resistance, anti-oxidation, good elasticity
Medium-High
Fine chip powder, easy to stick to the tool edge
High-precision elastic parts, mold inserts, conductive terminals
High strength, high conductivity, excellent elasticity and wear resistance
High
Expensive material, high hardness after aging, strict dust protection required
Ultra-light structural parts, drone parts, electronic shells
Lightest structural metal, easy cutting, low density
Low-Medium
Flammable fine chips; strictly control cutting temperature and dust
Precision instrument parts, mold core, low expansion components
Ultra-low thermal expansion coefficient, stable size in temperature change
Medium-High
Viscous cutting, serious work hardening, low processing efficiency
Marine corrosion-resistant parts, chemical equipment, valve parts
Nickel-copper alloy, strong seawater corrosion resistance, high toughness
High
High toughness and viscosity, difficult chip breaking, tool wear accelerated
Strong acid and alkali resistant equipment, environmental protection industry parts
Super corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance, nickel-based alloy
Very High
Extremely difficult to machine, severe work hardening, special cutting tools required
Anti-wear lining, impact-resistant parts, food machinery accessories
Ultra-high molecular weight, impact resistance, self-lubricating
Low-Medium
Soft and tough, easy to produce burrs, poor dimensional stability
Electronic insulating parts, high-temperature resistant plastic parts
Low water absorption, high rigidity, good thermal stability
Low
Brittle at low temperature, easy to crack under cutting force
High-temperature industrial parts, anti-corrosion insulating components
High temperature resistance, flame retardant, chemical corrosion resistance
Medium
Contains fiber filler, strong abrasion to tools
Chemical anti-corrosion parts, semiconductor industry accessories
Excellent chemical resistance, radiation resistance, high purity
Medium-High
Easy to generate thermal deformation, strictly control cutting heat
High-rigidity structural plastic parts, auto parts
Glass fiber reinforced, improved strength and rigidity
Low-Medium
Glass fiber causes tool wear; edge chipping is easy to occur
High-strength gears, structural brackets, mechanical wear parts
Fiber reinforced, high tensile strength, strong wear resistance
Low-Medium
Reinforced fiber is abrasive; moisture absorption leads to size deviation
Insulation gaskets, fixture base plates, anti-slip accessories
Good insulation, impact resistance, moderate hardness
Low
Mixed material texture is unstable, easy to produce uneven cutting surface
High-temperature insulation parts, electrical isolation components
Ultra-high temperature resistance, insulation, pressure resistance
Low-Medium
Layered structure, easy to delaminate and crack during processing
High temperature experimental parts, optical precision components
High temperature resistance, high light transmittance, stable chemical property
Medium-High
Extremely brittle, easy to burst and crack; requires professional grinding processing
Electrode materials, high-temperature jigs, conductive accessories
High temperature resistance, self-lubricating, conductive, easy to process
Medium
Brittle and porous; easy to produce dust and edge chipping
Wear-resistant tool parts, ultra-high hardness mold components
Super high hardness, strong compression resistance, excellent wear resistance
High
Hard and brittle, cutting resistance is huge, only grinding processing is available
Corrosion-resistant equipment, battery conductive parts, high-temperature components
High temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, good ductility
High
Strong viscosity, serious work hardening, difficult chip breaking
Hardware accessories, decorative parts, die-cast structural parts
Low melting point, easy processing, low cost, good surface effect
Low
Low hardness, easy to scratch and deform, poor high temperature resistance
Anti-radiation shielding parts, counterweight components, sealing gaskets
Soft texture, strong radiation shielding, good airtightness
Low
Super soft, easy to produce burrs and deformation; need dust prevention
Wear-resistant shaft cores, medical ceramic parts, precision insulation parts
High toughness, ultra-high hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance
High
Hard and tough, only diamond tools can process, high processing cost
Electronic insulating ceramics, high-temperature support parts
High insulation, high temperature resistance, high hardness
Medium
Brittle, easy to break; must use grinding process for forming
Model making, packaging protection, light fixture support
Ultra-light, easy to cut, low cost, shock absorption
Low
Low structural strength, easy to collapse and deform during cutting
Craft parts, fixture base, decorative structural parts
Light weight, easy cutting, natural texture, low density
Low
Different wood grain hardness is different; easy to produce burrs and tearing
Buffer gaskets, anti-slip parts, noise reduction accessories
Elastic, sound absorption, anti-slip, heat insulation
Low
Soft porous structure, easy to squeeze and deform, poor edge finish
