CNC Machining Aluminum Alloys

Machinability
Because aluminum chips easily, and because it is easy to shape, it can be cut quickly and accurately with CNC machine tools. This has some important consequences: firstly, the short timeframe of the machining job makes the process cheaper; secondly, good machinability means less deformation of the part as the cutting tool goes through the workpiece. This can allow the machine to meet tighter tolerances and leads to higher accuracy and repeatability.

Corrosion resistance
Different aluminum grades differ greatly in their resistance to corrosion — the degree to which they can withstand oxidization and chemical damage. Fortunately, some of the most popular grades for CNC machining are the most resistant.

Strength-to-weight ratio
Aluminum has desirable physical properties that make it ideal for both mechanical and aspect parts. Two of the most important are the metal's high strength and its lightweight, both of which make the material favorable for critical parts such as those required in the aerospace and automotive industries. Aircraft fittings and automotive shafts are two examples of parts that can be successfully machined with aluminum.
Because of their favorable strength-to-weight ratio, general-use grades like 6061 can be used for a wide variety of parts, while notably high-strength grades like 7075 may be preferred in aerospace and marine applications.

Electrical conductivity
CNC machined aluminum parts can be useful for electrical components due to their electrical conductivity. Though not as conductive as copper, pure aluminum has an electrical conductivity of about 37.7 million siemens per meter at room temperature. Alloys may have lower conductivities, but aluminum materials are significantly more conductive than, for example, stainless steel.

Anodization potential
The anodization process, which generally takes place after machining is completed, involves passing an electric current through the part in an electrolytic acid bath and results in a piece of aluminum that is more resistant to physical impact and corrosion.
Importantly, anodizing makes it easier to add color to a machined aluminum part, since the anodized outer layer is highly porous. Dyes can find their way through the porous sections of the outer layer and are less likely to chip or flake since they are embedded within the tough exterior of the metal part.

Recyclability
Another benefit of aluminum is its high recyclability, which makes it preferable for businesses seeking to minimize their environmental impact or for those who simply want to reduce material wastage and recoup some of their expenditure. Recyclable materials are particularly important in CNC machining, where there is a relatively large amount of waste material in the form of chips from the cutting tool.

Stainless Steel
Stainless steel alloys are utilized for a wide range of components, such as consumer products, industrial applications, heavy machinery, surgical equipment, kitchen ware/appliances, aerospace, military and automotive. Stainless steel is also commonly utilized for components which require exceptional strength and reliability, such as shafts, gears, bolts, nuts and fittings.
Stainless steels are machinable, with some grades easier to machine than others. CNC machining of stainless steel is a widely practiced process so most machine shops have extensive experience with the required equipment settings for successful, high-quality machining of stainless steel.

Aluminum
Aluminum is an excellent choice for CNC machined components because it is superiorly machinable, lightweight, strong and heavily corrosion resistant. In addition, aluminum alloys are relatively thermally and electrically conductive, making them fit for applications in thermal management and electronics.
Aluminum alloys are commonly utilized in the aerospace, automotive, cookware, medical and consumer product industries. Aluminum is a popular material for casting or brazing.

Titanium
Titanium alloys are tough, strong, relatively lightweight, and corrosion resistant. Titanium is considered to be the most noble metal and be excellent in aggressive environments where other metals may fail.
Titanium alloys are now commonly utilized for medical equipment and implantable components such as medical screws or devices. These innovative alloys are also utilized extensively in the aerospace, industrial and military sectors for superior strength, creep resistance and their excellent metallurgical structure.

Copper
Copper alloy 101 is a purer copper alloy. It is good for applications which require high ductility, impact strength, and electrical/thermal conductivity; but it is not good for corrosion resistance. Utilizations for Copper 101 are electronic components, wiring, and electrical components like busbars. Copper alloy 110 is slightly less pure and offers the highest level of electrical/thermal conductivity for any copper alloy. It is also more corrosion resistant. Applications of Copper 110 include superconductor magnets, gaskets, electrical components, jewelry, marine hardware, building materials, and vacuum equipment.

Brass
Brass possesses some of the same properties as copper, as it is an alloy of copper and zinc. Brass is durable and easily machinable. This alloy is also corrosion resistant, electrically conductive and it offers a low coefficient of friction. Brass is versatile and suitable for a variety of applications, including plumbing, electrical, artistic, and medical.

Alloy Steel and Carbon Steel
A low carbon steel has a lower carbon content (0.05-0.25%) and is more ductile and weldable but, it is not simply heat treatable to improve hardness as high carbon steels are. Low carbon steels are relatively easy to CNC machine. Alternatively, medium carbon steel is strong and can be induction hardened.
Alloy steel does not contain carbon as its main alloying element, along with iron. Alloy steel is more corrosion resistant, weldable, heat resistant, and ductile than carbon steel. But carbon steel is stronger than alloy steel Alloy steels are kind of built off of carbon steels, with the addition of one of about 20 alloying elements. Alloy steels are commonly utilized in industrial applications as well as appliances, silverware, cooking utensils, and automobiles.

Plastics
Plastics are an enormous classification of synthetic/semi-synthetic materials that are mainly comprised of polymers. There are many options for an excellent CNC machined plastic component.
CNC machined plastics are popular due to their light weight and relatively lower costs. Applications include bearings, chemically resistant containments, laboratory equipment, screws, electrical components and medical devices.