Materials in CNC Machining - Complete Guide
Learn about the properties of materials used in CNC machining. Steel, aluminum, brass, plastics - how to choose the right material for your project?
Selecting the right material is one of the key stages in designing parts for CNC machining. Each material has unique properties that affect cutting parameters, tool life, and final product quality. In this article, we will present the most popular materials used in CNC machining.
Structural Steels
Structural steels are the most commonly used material in the mechanical industry. S235 and S355 steels are characterized by good machinability and affordable price. For components requiring higher strength, alloy steels such as 4140 or 8620 are used. Cutting parameters for steel: cutting speed 80-200 m/min, feed rate 0.1-0.3 mm/rev.
Stainless Steels
Stainless steels (austenitic like 304, 316 and ferritic) require a special approach during machining. They are characterized by a tendency to work harden during cutting and poor heat dissipation. It is recommended to use sharp tools, abundant cooling, and lower cutting speeds (40-100 m/min).
Aluminum and Its Alloys
Aluminum is a material with excellent machinability. It allows for high cutting speeds (up to 1000 m/min) and high feed rates. The most popular alloys are 6061-T6 (universal), 7075-T6 (high-strength), and 2024-T3 (aerospace). The main challenge is the formation of built-up edge on the cutting edge.
Brass and Bronze
Brass (CuZn39Pb3) is one of the easiest materials to machine. It allows for very high cutting speeds and provides excellent surface quality. Bronzes, especially phosphor bronzes, are used for bearings and bushings. Both materials require sharp tools and good chip evacuation.
Engineering Plastics
Engineering plastics like POM, PA6, PEEK, or PTFE are finding increasingly wide applications. They require low cutting speeds to avoid melting the material. It's important to use sharp tools with large rake angles and effective chip removal using compressed air.
Summary
Material selection should consider the functional requirements of the part, operating conditions, costs, and availability. Our Technolog CNC system automatically recognizes the material from the technical drawing and suggests optimal machining parameters for the given material.
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