What metals can be CNC milled?

CNC machining can use a wide range of materials to create on-demand and custom products. Metal is a popular material for this process. But you have several options. Depending on the metal you choose, different cutting tools and techniques must be employed. Also, the density, texture, toughness, cost, and corrosion resistance vary between different metals. Here are some of the best metal types to use for CNC machining and their various properties. 

What Are the Best Metal Types for CNC Machining? 

Of all the different engineering materials, metal remains the most commonly used across a variety of industries. Whether it is for a medical device, an aerospace part, or something else entirely, here are some of the top metals used for CNC machining and their different properties. 

Steel

Steel is one of the most commonly used materials in CNC machining. It’s an alloy that contains carbon and iron, so it is considered moderately strong and machineable. But steel isn’t corrosion-resistant unless you choose stainless steel, which comes at a higher cost. 

Aluminum

Aluminum is another metal that CNC machinists frequently use because it is economical and easily obtainable. This type of metal is also easily machinable, so it is used by a lot of hobbyists. For commercial applications, elements like copper, iron, silicon, and magnesium are added to the mix. 

Copper

Copper might be an expensive material to use for a CNC machining project, but it has a generous scrap return value. When milled, copper delivers a  clean and polished appearance. It is also known for high heat and electrical conductivity. 

Titanium

Titanium is often used for CNC projects thanks to its high strength-to-weight ratio compared to other CNC metals. It’s nearly half the weight of steel but has amazing strength. The downsides are that this material can be quite costly and difficult to machine. 

Bronze

Bronze is another metal used in CNC machining because it has good corrosion resistance. The material has high levels of iron, zinc, and tin content and is used frequently for bushings, bearings, marine pipes, and art pieces. 

Brass

Brass is a popular material for CNC machining due to its high tensile strength, medium hardness, and corrosion resistance when exposed to salt water. However, brass does come at a substantial initial cost. 

Get Help Choosing the Right Metal Types for CNC Projects

The great news is that various types of metal can be used for your next CNC project. If you have an idea that you’d like to bring to life, find out how Components by Design Inc. can help. We have over 15 years of experience with CAD/CAM software and CNC routing. 

Our specialists are skilled in using all types of materials, including metal. We can help you choose the best type of metal for your CNC project, so you get the most optimal results. Contact us today for more information. 

CNC Machining Materials:
Steel, aluminum, plastics, brass, copper, hastelloy, titanium and exotic materials

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We machine more than 20 engineering-grade metal and plastic materials. There are limitations on the sizes and thicknesses of some metals and plastics because not every part can be made in every material. Custom machining consists of a surprisingly diverse set of works.

With seemingly endless options for customization, materials, and techniques, cnc machining can produce parts for many industries and people's needs. We use the newest 5 axis cnc equipment (Haas UMC 750 and Haas VF-5SS ) as well as all fashioned conventional lathe and milling machines (Bridgeport, Hardinge). If you require a material that is not on the list or have specific questions, please let us know and call our cnc machine shop ( we do not machine wood parts).

We provide Turning and Milling, 3 axis , 3+2 axis & continuous 5 axis cnc machining.

We accept both small and large run jobs, Minimum quantity for order is 1.
Short lead times are often available 2-3 days.
Standard lead time is 2 weeks.

Click on a link to get more information on materials and parts.

Type Alloy (parts) Features and characteristics Application (Industry) Aluminum 6061

6061 - T6

• Improved corrosion resistance over 7075
• General purpose aluminum with Medium strength
• Good formability, weldability
• Containes magnesium and silicon

Electronic hardware, prototypes, aircraft fittings, camera lens mounts, couplings, marines fittings and hardware 7075

• Higher strength over Aluminum 6061
• Good fatigue strength

Gears and shafts, fuse parts, meter shafts and gears, missile parts, regulating valve parts, worm gears, keys, aircraft, aerospace and defense applications; bike frames Brass 260

• Good corrosion resistance
• Resistant to most chemicals
• Plate stock

Electronic hardware and contacts, fittings, commercial products, Aerospace Copper C101

• Oxygen-free electrical copper
• High electrical conductivity
• Good corrosion resistance in most environments
• Weak against acids, halogens sulphides and ammonia solutions

Electrical contacts, general engineering, automotive, domestic appliances Plastics Ceramic Peek

• Excellent dimensional stability, good impact strength
• Stiffness an minimum levels of creep, better impact resistance
• Excellent machinability

Test sockets, switches, connectors

PVC

• Excellent chemical and corrosion resistance
• Good flame resistance
• Low cost

Used for everything, from construction profiles to medical devices, from roofing membranes to credit cards, from children’s toys to pipes for water and gas

Nylon 6/6

• General purpose Nylon
• Fair flame resistance and good machining

Insulators, bearings Hastelloy C-276

• Excellent mechanical strength, especially at high temperatures
• both highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation

Pressure vessels of some nuclear reactors, chemical reactors, distillation equipment, pipes and valves in chemical industry Alloy Steel

4041

• Good toughness and strength
• Direct hardening and heat treatable
• Harder than CR 1018

Higher stress applications needing the strength of an alloy Steel

1018

• Plain low carbon steel
• Good formability and weldability
• Case harden only

Rivets and parts requiring strong welds

12L14

• Excellent machinability
• Case harden only

Endless commercial products; probably more pounds used in turned products than any other bar stock

1137

• Higher carbon, higher strength
• Direct hardening

Higher stress applications, gears, shafts, studs Stainless Steel

304

• Most commonly used stainless steel
• Low carbon
• Better weldability and formability

Household and industrial applications: screws, machinery parts, car headers, food-handling equipment,

316

• Increased corrosion and chemical resistance over 304
• Increased resistance to cracking and pitting

Medical implants and surgical instruments, aerospace

416

• Free machining
• Less corosion resistant than 300 series
• Can be heat treated

Applications that need less corrosion resistance, more hardness, or lower cost

17-4 PH

• Higher magnetism than 304 and 316 stainless steel
• Oxidation and corrosion resistance

Medical, aerospace, applications needing corrosion resistance and hardness Molybdenum

• Low thermal expansion
• Consists of around 36% nickel and 64% iron

Frequently used in the electronics industry for semiconductor supports and glass sealing Tungusten

A95

• Highest melting point and the highest tensile strength
• Extremely durable

Light bulb filaments, X-ray tubes, electrodes, superalloys, radiation shielding and military applications in penetrating projectiles Kovar

ASTM F15

• Thermal expansion similar to glass
• Alloy for glass sealing

Light bulbs, vacuum tubes, cathode ray tubes, and in vacuum systems in chemistry and other
scientific research Titanium

Ti-6AI-4V

• Light-weight and high strength
• High temperature and corrosion resistance

Aircraft industry, jewelry, medical implants Invar

64FeNi

• Uniquely low coefficient of thermal expansion
• Consists of around 36% nickel and 64% iron

Used where high dimensional stability is required: instruments, clocks, seismic creep gauges, valves in engines and antimagnetic watches

Copper, Brass and Bronze alloys explained