CNC machines can indeed cut metal and are widely used due to their high precision and accuracy. Depending on the material in question and its strength and hardness, CNC machining will yield different results and finishes.
Titanium is a particularly strong and resilient metal whilst maintaining an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. It is highly workable and can be welded with ease. Although it conducts heat well, it possesses poor electrical conductivity. Whilst titanium responds well to anodising for a clean finish and protection, it reacts unfavourably to polishing. Titanium is lightweight and offers high strength, and has brilliant corrosion resistance and high-temperature resistance. For this reason, it is a popular choice for aircraft industry parts, biomedical and military. A popular titanium grade is Ti6Al4V (also known as TC4 and Grade 5).
Steel is one of the most widely used metalworking materials. Steel is used in a wide variety of fields, from parts manufacturing to building materials. Its excellent cost-effectiveness and very useful properties make it a versatile material. CNC steel refers to the use of CNC machined steel. As a CNC machining manufacturer, JTR has always been committed to providing quality CNC steel services.
There are many different grades of stainless steel, which are categorised into four main types: Ferritic, Austenitic, Martensitic, Duplex.
The most common Stainless Steel is Austenitic, which is our focus today. Their chemical structure includes Manganese, Nitrogen and Nickel, which provides good machinability and weldability. The three most common grades used in CNC machining processes are:
Aluminium is the most commonly used material in CNC milling processes due to its machinability, workability and versatility. It also provides a modest strength-to-weight ratio.
Aluminium 7075 is a high-grade metal with excellent strength. However, its strength can make it more challenging to produce designs with more complexity. Al7075 is ideal for CNC machined parts which require sustained durabilities, such as frames within the automobile and aerospace industries. Al7075 has great properties such as ductility, toughness, high strength with good fatigue resistance. This means it is a common material choice for high-stress structural components in aerospace.
Aluminium 6061, however, has far better workability and is generally considered to be an economical grade. It has good atmospheric corrosion resistance but low resistance to corrosion from chemicals. Al6061 is the most commonly used aluminium grade and is ideal for automobile parts, frames and much more. Aluminium 6061 is generally seen as a general-purpose aluminium, with good strength to weight ratio and good machinability. However, when exposed to saltwater, it has poor corrosion resistance and is not as strong as other aluminium alloys required for more demanding applications.
Magnesium AZ31: Although aluminium has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, AZ31 can be up to 35% lighter whilst maintaining the same strength. As you can imagine, this means it is also higher on the price scale. Lightweight and durable, AZ31 is great for aircraft components, power tools and laptops. However, despite good workability, it does have some flammable properties.
Brass is highly versatile and is commonly used in plumbing systems. It also tends to be used in musical instruments and cosmetic applications, and home decor. This is because it is highly workable and can achieve an extremely high polish, making it aesthetically pleasing. In addition to this, it is naturally resistant to saltwater corrosion and is devoid of flammable properties. Brass is also used for electronic hardware, commercial fittings and aerospace parts. As it is a copper-zinc alloy, brass does not become brittle at low temperatures. It is a great choice for pipe fittings, with excellent thermal conductivity, and its attractive colour options make it a popular option for products that require a high-quality finish. Brass is also one of the easiest metals to CNC Machine.
EN 1045 steel is highly workable and particularly suitable for welding. This steel grade shows high strength levels and tends to be more economical than stainless steel. Like stainless steel 303, it is often used for gears, nuts and other resilient mechanical parts. It is a good steel for applications requiring greater strength or hardness, such as shafts, axles, bolts and studs.
D2 Steel is another member of the steel family and is significantly strong and durable. D2 Steel is also highly resistant to abrasion and wear. The strength and hardness of D2 steel make it suitable for parts that need high structural integrity and resistance to bending.
