CNC Machining Material Range and Its Applications

CNC Machining is an important technology in modern manufacturing, which completes various complex machining tasks by precisely controlling machine tools. It is widely used in aerospace, automotive, medical equipment and other fields, and the choice of materials is crucial to the machining effect and the quality of the final product.

We will explore the main material range and applications of CNC Machining in depth to help you better understand how to choose the right material to meet different machining needs.

Metal materials

Aluminum alloy: Aluminum alloy is widely used in aerospace, automotive and electronic products due to its excellent mechanical properties, light weight and good corrosion resistance. Common aluminum alloys include 6061, 7075, etc., which are suitable for high-precision CNC Machining. 6061 aluminum alloy has high strength and good machinability, while 7075 aluminum alloy is known for its extremely high strength and is suitable for demanding applications.

Stainless steel: Stainless steel such as SUS303, SUS304, SS316, etc. are widely used in medical devices, food processing equipment and chemical industry for their excellent corrosion resistance and strength. Stainless steel is difficult to process, and appropriate cutting tools and processing conditions are required to ensure processing accuracy and surface quality.

Copper alloys: Copper alloys such as C360, C110, C280, etc. have excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and are widely used in electronic connectors and heat sinks. The processing of copper is relatively complex, and usually requires high cutting speeds and a good cooling system to avoid overheating of the material and poor processing surface quality.

Titanium alloys: Titanium alloys such as Ti6Al4V are often used in aerospace and medical implants due to their high strength, low density and excellent corrosion resistance. Titanium alloys are difficult to process, and require high-rigidity machine tools and special tools to ensure processing accuracy and surface finish.

Plastic materials

Polyoxymethylene (POM): Polyoxymethylene, also known as Saigang, is widely used in precision parts such as gears, bearings and sliders due to its excellent mechanical properties, low friction coefficient and good wear resistance. CNC processing of POM is relatively simple, but the processing temperature needs to be controlled to avoid material deformation.

Polycarbonate (PC): Polycarbonate has excellent transparency, strength and impact resistance, and is often used in optical lenses and electronic product housings. When CNC processing PC, attention should be paid to the thermal sensitivity of the material to avoid thermal deformation and warping during processing.

Nylon (PA): Nylon has excellent wear resistance and strength, and is widely used in mechanical parts, connectors, etc. When CNC processing nylon, attention should be paid to the hygroscopicity of the material to avoid dimensional changes during processing.

Polypropylene (PP): Polypropylene has good chemical stability and wear resistance, and is often used in medical devices and automotive parts. The processing process of PP is relatively simple, but the cutting speed and cooling method need to be controlled to ensure the processing quality.

Composite materials

Carbon fiber composite materials: Carbon fiber composite materials are widely used in aerospace, automobiles and sports equipment due to their light weight, high strength and high rigidity. When CNC processing carbon fiber composite materials, special tools must be used and appropriate processing parameters must be adopted to reduce material wear and fiber scattering during processing.

Glass fiber composite materials: Glass fiber composite materials have good strength and heat resistance and are suitable for construction, ships and transportation. When CNC machining glass fiber composites, special attention should be paid to the selection of cutting tools and processing parameters to ensure machining quality and tool life.

Ceramic materials

Alumina (Al2O3): Alumina ceramics are widely used in wear parts and insulators due to their excellent hardness and wear resistance. CNC machining of alumina ceramics requires the use of ultra-hard tools and lower cutting speeds to ensure machining accuracy and tool durability.

Silicon nitride (Si3N4): Silicon nitride ceramics have excellent high temperature resistance and impact resistance and are suitable for high temperature and high load environments. Its CNC machining difficulty is relatively high, requiring precise machining equipment and process control to achieve high-quality machining results.

Precautions for selecting suitable materials

When selecting CNC machining materials, the following factors need to be considered:

Mechanical properties of materials: such as strength, hardness, toughness, etc., affect the performance of the product.

Machining difficulty: Different materials have different machining difficulties and require appropriate tools and equipment.

Cost factors: The cost difference of different materials will affect the overall production cost.

Application requirements: Select the appropriate material according to the use environment and requirements of the final product.

CNC machining technology, with its high precision and flexibility, is able to process a variety of materials, each of which has its own unique characteristics and application scenarios. Understanding the processing characteristics of different materials can help you choose the right material to meet specific manufacturing needs, thereby improving the performance and quality of your products.