How to Choose the Right CNC Machining Materials for Your Project

Expert machinists have the capabilities and skills to transform your chosen CNC materials into a machined part precisely machined to meet your unique requirements. CNC machining is swift and accurate, and its versatility allows you to specialize your design and materials to best suit your needs. From metal to plastic composites, there’s a wide array of CNC machining materials to choose from in order to produce strong, durable parts ready to serve your project’s needs.

As you consider which materials might be best suited for your needs, there’s a range of questions you can ask to determine which material matches your requirements. What environment must your part perform in? Do you need your machined part to be conductive, or have a specific color or detail level? These questions will help you determine which CNC machining materials you should consider.
Below, we’ve broken down the key advantages of common CNC materials, the differences between them, and what questions to consider when deciding which to use. Read on to learn how to choose the right CNC machining materials for your project to ensure your final product is polished and prepared for your intended use.

Common Metal CNC Machining Materials

Metal is the most commonly used material in CNC milling and turning due to its rigidity and strength. The level of detail and demand CNC machining allows is supported by metal’s unique qualities and strength. Popular metal choices for CNC machining materials include aluminum, steel, brass, copper, and titanium.

• Aluminum — This cost-effective choice has a high strength-to-weight ratio. From aerospace to automotive to healthcare sectors and more, this reliable metal is widely used in many sectors due to its durability, affordability, and good corrosion and temperature resistance.
• Steel — Steel is available in a range of alloys and is suitable for a variety of industries and applications due to its high strength and chemical resistance.
• Brass — This popular CNC machining material choice has a high machinability factor and is commonly used in electrical goods and consumer goods. It can be slightly higher in cost than other choices like aluminum or steel but is still a cost-effective option for many projects.
• Copper — Copper is highly electrically conductive and is often used in applications that necessitate electrical and thermal conductivity.
• Titanium — Titanium has low thermal conductivity and high corrosion, chemical, and temperature resistance. This strong metal is known for its durability and strength and is commonly used in aerospace applications.

Common Plastic CNC Machining Materials

Plastic is a rigid, easy-to-machine material that can produce quality parts and prototypes. Some common plastics used in CNC machining include PEEK, acrylic, and nylon.

• Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) — Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is an advantageous, easily accessible engineering plastic often used in the medical, aerospace, and automotive industries. It stays strong in high temperatures and offers strong chemical resistance.
• Acrylic — This popular plastic CNC machining material is a clear plastic that resists discoloring through age and long-term sun exposure. It’s a strong thermoplastic material, which means it’s able to be melted and reformed easily, but is less well-suited to high-temperature uses. It’s widely used in the automotive industry.
• Nylon — Nylon is a synthetic thermoplastic material that offers an incredibly versatile advantage. It’s tough, offers strong thermal, mechanical, and chemical resistance, and can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms without losing its hardness.

Questions to Ask When Choosing Your CNC Machining Materials

To ensure your chosen material will be suitable for your unique applications, consider the following questions.

• Does your part require electrical conductivity? If so, copper may be a choice to consider.
• Will your part be used in high-temperature environments? In this case, a plastic that weakens in high temperatures like acrylic may not be your ideal choice.
• What are the top qualities your material needs in order to fulfill your vision? If strength is your top concern, consider choosing a high-strength material like titanium.
• Is your budget a concern? Though many CNC machining materials are cost-effective, some are even more budget-friendly compared to their counterparts, like aluminum.

As you evaluate your options, consider talking to an engineering expert to help you find your best choice.

We’re Here to Help: Learn more about how Aztalan can help you choose the best materials for your CNC needs.

Choose Aztalan to Precisely Engineer Your Chosen CNC Machining Materials

With more than 50 years of experience delivering high-quality CNC parts and prototypes to businesses in need across the U.S., Aztalan has the skills, equipment, and dedication to push your project forward. We employ expert engineers who use advanced automation and innovative technology to boost the accuracy of your product while keeping it within tight timelines and your budget. As an ISO-9001 and ISO-13458-certified company, we prioritize quality in everything we do and maintain strict quality standards to ensure your final product is precisely made and ready for market.

Aztalan passionately serves clients with efficient, accurate engineering every time, and we offer comprehensive services to completely meet your needs. Whether you require CNC milling, turning, swiss-turning, assembly, ultrasonic cleaning, or more, we combine our skills with our commitment to service and holistically meet your needs.

Our expert engineers are here to help you choose the best CNC machining materials for your next project. Contact our team today to get started.