CNC Machining Materials We Work With
From lightweight aluminum to advanced titanium alloys, we provide the right material for your prototyping and production needs.
Why Material Selection Matters
The choice of material directly impacts the performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness of CNC machined parts. Selecting the right material ensures your parts meet functional requirements, withstand demanding conditions, and align with your industry standards.
Performance & Strength
Materials define mechanical properties such as tensile strength, hardness, and weight. Choosing the right one ensures reliability in real-world applications.Cost & Efficiency
Different materials come with different machining costs and production speeds. Proper selection helps balance performance with budget.Application-Specific Suitability
From aerospace turbine blades to medical implants, every industry has unique requirements. Material selection ensures compliance with safety and regulatory standards.Surface Finish & Appearance
Whether you need polished aesthetics, corrosion resistance, or electrical conductivity, materials influence the final finish and usability of your parts.
Metals for CNC Machining
When it comes to CNC machining, metals are among the most common and versatile materials. Each metal offers unique properties such as strength, corrosion resistance, or lightweight performance. Selecting the right metal is critical for achieving optimal results in industries like aerospace, automotive, energy, and medical devices.
Aluminum
Why it’s important:
Aluminum is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and highly machinable, making it one of the most widely used materials for CNC machining. It combines excellent strength-to-weight ratio with good surface finishing and is ideal for both prototypes and end-use parts.
Common challenges:
Built-up edge: aluminum tends to stick to cutting tools.
Dimensional stability in thin walls: deflection can occur.
Heat generation: improper cooling can cause surface issues.
Surface finish uniformity: cosmetic parts require careful tooling paths.
Materials / Grades we machine:
6061-T6 — balanced strength, corrosion resistance (general parts, enclosures).
7075-T6 — high-strength aerospace alloy.
2024 — excellent fatigue resistance (aerospace, automotive).
5052 — great corrosion resistance (marine applications).
6082 — structural applications, European standard alloy.
Typical applications:
Aerospace brackets, automotive prototypes, consumer housings, electronic enclosures, machine components.
Typical tolerances achievable:
Standard: ±0.01 mm; thin-wall geometries require careful support to avoid warping.
How we solve common issues:
We use sharp carbide tools, optimized toolpaths, flood coolant, and high-speed machining to minimize burrs, improve surface finish, and control tolerances.
Stainless Steel
Why it’s important:
Stainless steels offer high strength, wear resistance, and excellent corrosion resistance, making them indispensable for medical, aerospace, and industrial components.
Common challenges:
Work hardening: improper feeds cause rapid tool wear.
Heat buildup: can cause distortion or poor finish.
Machining forces: stainless is tougher, needs rigid setups.
Surface passivation: sometimes requires post-processing.
Materials / Grades we machine:
303 — good machinability (fittings, fasteners).
304 — excellent corrosion resistance (industrial equipment).
316 / 316L — marine, chemical, medical use.
17-4PH — precipitation-hardening, aerospace/defense.
410 — wear-resistant, used in tools, valves.
Typical applications:
Surgical instruments, food-grade components, aerospace fasteners, energy sector fittings.
Typical tolerances achievable:
±0.005 mm achievable with stable fixturing and proper tooling.
How we solve common issues:
We use coated carbide tools, proper cutting fluids, and rigid clamping. Optimized feeds/speeds minimize work hardening and extend tool life.
Carbon Steel & Alloy Steel
Why it’s important:
Carbon and alloy steels are backbone materials for heavy-duty mechanical components. They offer excellent strength, wear resistance and toughness, making them ideal for shafts, gears, housings and tooling where load-bearing and durability matter.
Common challenges:
Hardness & tool wear: Higher-carbon and alloy steels increase cutting forces and tool wear.
Heat generation & distortion: Milling/turning can create heat that leads to part distortion if not managed.
Post-process treatment: Many steel parts require heat treatment (hardening/tempering) which can change dimensions.
Surface finish for hardened parts: Achieving fine surface finish on hardened sections can be difficult without secondary operations.
Grades we machine:
1018 / 1020 (mild carbon steels): Good machinability for general mechanical parts.
1045 (medium carbon): Higher strength for shafts and structural parts.
4140 (alloy steel): High strength and fatigue resistance—common in automotive and tooling.
4340 (alloy steel): Very tough and used in aerospace and heavy-duty applications.
D2, O1 (tool steels): Wear-resistant steels for dies, molds, and cutting tools (usually require specialized tooling and processes).
Typical applications:
Shafts, gears, coupling sleeves, bearings housings, tooling components, dies, automotive drivetrain parts, heavy machinery components.
Typical tolerances achievable:
Standard: ±0.01 mm under normal machining conditions; with rigid fixturing, proper tooling and temperature control ±0.005 mm is achievable on many features. Note: tolerance after heat treatment depends on the specific process — we provide guidance and predictive allowances for post-HT distortion.
How we solve common issues:
Use of coated carbide / CBN tooling, climb milling strategies and optimized feeds/speeds to reduce tool wear.
Through-coolant tools, controlled cutting parameters and interrupted cuts to manage heat.
Rigid fixturing and vibration damping to improve surface finish and dimensional stability.
Pre-machining allowances and cooperation with heat-treat vendors; we can deliver pre- and post-heat-treatment workflows (including stress relief, grinding or finish passes).
When required, we provide secondary operations (grinding, surface hardening, finishing) and advise on design tolerances to accommodate post-process changes.
Titanium
Why it’s important:
Titanium combines exceptional strength-to-weight ratio with corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. It is widely used in aerospace, medical implants, and high-performance automotive parts.
Common challenges:
Low thermal conductivity: heat concentrates at the tool edge.
Springback effect: causes tool chatter and dimensional issues.
Tool wear: high cutting forces demand advanced tooling.
Fixturing: lightweight yet rigid setups needed.
Materials / Grades we machine:
Grade 2 (Commercially Pure) — good corrosion resistance.
Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) — aerospace & medical standard alloy.
Grade 9 (Ti-3Al-2.5V) — tubing and aerospace structural.
Typical applications:
Aerospace turbine blades, medical implants, racing components, subsea equipment.
Typical tolerances achievable:
±0.01 mm; fine features require adaptive toolpathing.
How we solve common issues:
We apply high-pressure coolant, rigid carbide tools, and adaptive machining strategies to control heat, reduce wear, and ensure stability in precision machining.
Brass & Copper
Why it’s important:
Brass and copper offer excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and machinability. They are critical in electrical, plumbing, and decorative components.
Common challenges:
Burr formation: soft metals tend to form burrs.
Surface scratching: cosmetic applications demand careful handling.
Material cost: copper is expensive, requiring precision to avoid waste.
Thermal expansion: can affect precision machining.
Materials / Grades we machine:
Brass C360 — highly machinable, fittings, valves.
Brass C260 (Cartridge Brass) — springs, fasteners.
Copper C110 — excellent conductivity for electrical parts.
Beryllium Copper — aerospace, connectors, high-load springs.
Typical applications:
Electrical connectors, heat exchangers, fluid fittings, decorative prototypes.
Typical tolerances achievable:
±0.01 mm achievable with careful fixturing and optimized toolpathing.
How we solve common issues:
We use sharp tooling, low-friction tool coatings, and deburring processes to maintain clean edges and cosmetic quality. For copper, we apply flood coolant to control heat.
Plastics
Why it’s important:
Engineering plastics are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, cost-effective, and often used for functional prototypes, insulators, and low-load mechanical parts. Plastics allow fast iteration in prototyping while offering material properties (electrical insulation, low friction) that metals can’t always provide.Common challenges:
Thermal sensitivity: some plastics deform or melt if cutting heat is not controlled.
Dimensional stability: viscoelastic behavior can cause slight dimensional shifts (warping).
Chip control & burrs: soft materials can form long strings or burrs if tooling/feeds are wrong.
Surface finish consistency: achieving both functional tolerances and cosmetic finish can be tricky.
Materials / Grades we machine:
POM (Delrin) — low friction, good wear resistance (bushings, gears).
ABS — prototyping housings and cosmetic parts.
Nylon (PA6 / PA66) — good toughness, bearings, structural small parts.
PEEK — high-performance, heat-resistant, used in medical and aerospace prototypes.
PTFE (Teflon) — low friction, chemical resistance, seals and insulators.
Polycarbonate (PC) — strong, impact-resistant housings.
Typical applications:
Bushings, insulators, gear prototypes, consumer housings, fluid-handling fittings, medical trays/prototypes.Typical tolerances achievable:
Standard: ±0.02 mm; with controlled tooling, fixturing and environment ±0.01 mm is achievable for many plastics features (depends on geometry & material).How we solve common issues:
We use sharp, high-helix carbide tooling, optimized feeds/speeds, effective chip evacuation (air/vacuum), temperature control and proper fixturing to minimize deformation and burrs — ensuring prototypes meet both functional and aesthetic requirements.
Plastics for CNC Machining
Why it’s important:
Plastics are widely used in industries where lightweight, corrosion resistance, electrical insulation, or cost-effective prototyping is critical. CNC-machined plastics allow manufacturers to test form, fit, and function before moving to high-volume production, especially in aerospace, medical, electronics, and R&D fields.
Common challenges:
Thermal expansion: Plastics can deform under heat from cutting, leading to dimensional inaccuracies.
Surface finish: Achieving a smooth finish without burrs or melting requires optimized tooling.
Warping & stress release: Large plastic parts may warp after machining due to residual stresses.
Holding tolerances: Tight tolerances can be difficult with softer polymers compared to metals.
Grades we machine:
ABS: Cost-effective, durable, widely used for prototypes and consumer goods.
Acrylic (PMMA): Excellent optical clarity, used for transparent housings, lenses, and displays.
Nylon (PA6, PA66): Strong, wear-resistant, common in mechanical components.
POM / Delrin (Acetal): High stiffness, low friction, excellent machinability.
PEEK: High-performance thermoplastic with excellent chemical, heat, and wear resistance—used in aerospace and medical.
PTFE (Teflon): Excellent chemical resistance and very low friction, often for seals and gaskets.
Polycarbonate: Strong, impact-resistant, used for safety shields and housings.
HDPE / UHMW: Lightweight, impact-resistant, used in mechanical wear parts.
Typical applications:
Electrical housings, medical device prototypes, laboratory fixtures, pump and valve components, transparent display parts, bushings, and lightweight structural components.
Typical tolerances achievable:
Standard: ±0.05 mm for most plastics. For high-performance plastics like PEEK or acetal, tolerances can be as tight as ±0.02 mm under controlled conditions.
How we solve common issues:
Use sharp, polished tooling with optimized speeds/feeds to reduce heat buildup.
Apply air cooling or mist cooling to prevent melting.
Stress-relieving processes or careful stock removal strategies to minimize warping.
Provide material selection consultation to balance machinability, performance, and cost.
Post-machining finishing (polishing, deburring, annealing) for improved aesthetics and performance.
Advanced Alloys & Specialty Materials
Why it’s important:
Advanced alloys and specialty materials are essential when strength, heat resistance, biocompatibility, or extreme precision is required. They are widely used in aerospace, medical implants, energy systems, and high-performance automotive. CNC machining these materials allows the production of components that operate in extreme conditions where standard metals or plastics would fail.
Common challenges:
Tool wear & machining difficulty: Titanium and Inconel quickly wear tools due to hardness and toughness.
Heat management: High-strength alloys retain heat, which can distort parts or reduce tool life.
Surface finish: Achieving fine finishes without tool chatter requires advanced setups.
Cost efficiency: These materials are expensive, so reducing waste is crucial.
Grades we machine:
Titanium (Ti-6Al-4V): Lightweight, strong, corrosion-resistant; used in aerospace, medical implants, and motorsports.
Inconel (718, 625): Nickel-based superalloys with excellent heat and corrosion resistance; used in gas turbines, jet engines, and chemical processing.
Hastelloy: Excellent resistance to strong oxidizers and corrosion; common in chemical industries.
Cobalt-Chrome Alloys (CoCr): Exceptional wear resistance and biocompatibility; used for dental, orthopedic, and aerospace parts.
Magnesium Alloys (AZ91D, WE43): Extremely lightweight, used in aerospace, electronics, and automotive.
Tungsten & Molybdenum Alloys: High density and temperature resistance; used in energy, aerospace, and defense applications.
Typical applications:
Turbine blades, engine parts, exhaust systems
Medical implants and surgical instruments
High-performance automotive components
Energy system parts (nuclear, oil & gas, renewables)
Research and defense prototypes
Typical tolerances achievable:
Standard: ±0.02 mm for most alloys. With precision setups, tolerances as tight as ±0.01 mm are achievable for aerospace and medical parts.
How we solve common issues:
Use carbide or diamond-coated tooling to extend tool life.
Apply high-pressure coolant and optimized speeds/feeds to manage heat.
Use 5-axis setups to minimize setups and ensure dimensional accuracy.
Material consultation to balance performance vs cost for each project.
Employ simulation and CAM optimization to minimize waste and improve efficiency.
Material Comparison Table
Choosing the right material is critical for balancing strength, machinability, cost, and application-specific performance. To help you compare, we’ve prepared a side-by-side table of common materials we machine at CNMP. This allows engineers and buyers to quickly evaluate options before requesting a quote.
Suggested Table Structure
| Material Category | Common Grades | Key Properties | Machinability | Cost Level | Typical Applications |
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Industries We Serve with These Materials
Selecting the right material is not just a technical decision—it directly impacts performance, cost, and long-term reliability in different industries. Each sector, from aerospace to medical, places unique demands on materials such as aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, engineering plastics, and advanced alloys. Below, we outline how these materials are applied in typical industries and the challenges they help solve.
Aerospace
Key Needs: Lightweight yet strong materials for structural and engine components.
Material Applications:
- Aluminum & Titanium Alloys: Used in turbine blades, housings, and airframe parts for strength-to-weight ratio.
- Stainless Steel: Applied in high-heat and corrosion-prone environments.
Automotive
Key Needs: Cost efficiency, durability, and performance for high-volume production.
Material Applications:
Carbon Steel & Alloy Steel: Ideal for shafts, gears, and drivetrain components.
Aluminum: Used in lightweight structural parts and engine prototypes.
Engineering Plastics: Applied in housings, interior parts, and prototypes for fuel efficiency.
Medical
Key Needs: Biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and precision.
Material Applications:
Titanium & Stainless Steel (316L): Used for implants, surgical tools, and dental components.
Medical-Grade Plastics (PEEK, PTFE): Preferred for lightweight, non-reactive devices and housings.
Energy
Key Needs: High strength, corrosion resistance, and heat tolerance.
Material Applications:
Superalloys & Stainless Steel: Used for turbomachinery, oil & gas equipment, and renewable energy components.
Engineering Plastics: For fluid handling components and electrical insulation.
Research & Development / Labs
Key Needs: Flexibility in prototyping, wide range of material testing, complex geometries.
Material Applications:
Aluminum & Plastics: Rapid prototyping for structural and experimental parts.
Advanced Alloys: Used for stress-testing and specialized R&D projects.
Material Gallery: Precision in Every Detail
Explore our collection of CNC machined materials across metals, plastics, and advanced alloys. Each gallery image highlights the precision, surface finish, and application potential, helping you visualize how your designs can be transformed into high-performance components.
Aluminum Parts
Lightweight prototypes with smooth finish.
Stainless Steel Parts
High durability & corrosion resistance.
Carbon & Alloy Steel
Strength-focused components.
Titanium Parts
Medical & aerospace grade precision.
Plastic Components
High-precision polymer machining.
Specialty Alloys
Advanced performance materials for demanding environments.
FAQs about CNC Machining Materials
Clear answers to common questions about selecting and working with materials for CNC machining.
A: Consider mechanical strength, weight, corrosion resistance, machinability, cost, and application-specific requirements.
A: Plastics like ABS or aluminum alloys are often preferred due to lower cost and easier machinability.
A: Yes. Modern CNC machines are capable of processing a wide range of metals (aluminum, steel, titanium) and plastics (ABS, nylon, PEEK).
A: Titanium, stainless steels, and high-performance polymers like PEEK are ideal for high-heat environments.
A: Yes. Advanced alloys (e.g., Inconel, Hastelloy) require advanced tooling and machining strategies but offer exceptional performance benefits.
A: Harder or tougher materials require longer machining time and specialized tools, increasing costs compared to softer materials.
Start Your Project with the Right Material
Selecting the right material is the foundation of a successful CNC machining project. Whether you need lightweight plastics, durable steels, or advanced alloys, our team is here to guide you. Share your requirements and get a tailored solution today.
