CNC Machining Materials

Materials We Machine

We work with the full range of engineering materials used in OEM products: aluminum, stainless steel, carbon and alloy steels, brass, copper, titanium, and engineering plastics. Below are our most common grades with typical applications, finish options, and machining notes.

Aluminum

Aluminum 6061 / 6063 / 7075 / 2024

The default choice for lightweight structural parts, housings, brackets and enclosures. Excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance, and accepts a wide range of finishes.

Common grades and uses

• 6061-T6 — General purpose, structural, housings, brackets.
• 7075-T6 — High strength, aerospace and robotics load-bearing parts.
• 2024 — Aerospace structures, fatigue-resistant parts.
• 6063 — Architectural and decorative extrusions, light structural.

Available finishes

Type II anodize (clear / black / colors), Type III hardcoat anodize, chem film (chromate), powder coat, bead blast, brushed / polished, laser marking.

Stainless Steel

Stainless 304 / 316 / 17-4PH / 420 / 303

For parts requiring corrosion resistance, high strength, or medical / food-grade compliance. 17-4PH offers high strength and is often used for shafts and aerospace components.

Common grades and uses

• 304 — General purpose, food equipment, decorative.
• 316 — Marine, medical, chemical exposure.
• 17-4PH (H900 / H1025) — High-strength shafts, aerospace, tooling.
• 420 — Hardenable, wear-resistant cutting edges and tools.
• 303 — Free-machining, best for high-volume screw-machine parts.

Available finishes

Passivation (ASTM A967), electropolishing, mirror polish, bead blast, tumbled, brushed.

Brass & Copper

Brass C3602 / C3604 / H59 / H62 · Copper C1100 / C1220

Excellent for electrical and thermal conductivity applications, decorative components, and precision instrument parts. Free-machining brass (C360) is the easiest material to machine — fast cycle times, long tool life.

Common grades and uses

• C3602 / C3604 (free-machining brass) — Connectors, fittings, instrument parts.
• H59 / H62 — Decorative, plumbing fittings, valves.
• C1100 (pure copper) — Electrical conductors, bus bars.
• C1220 (DHP copper) — Heat exchangers, plumbing.

Available finishes

Polished, satin, antique / aged patina, tin plating, nickel plating, gold flash, clear lacquer.

Engineering Plastics

POM / PEEK / Nylon / PC / PTFE / ABS / Acrylic / UHMW

Plastics offer low weight, electrical insulation, low friction, and chemical resistance. We machine them in rod, plate and sheet form to close tolerances — ideal for prototypes and small-batch production where injection molding is uneconomical.

Common grades and uses

• POM (Delrin / Acetal) — Gears, bearings, low-friction sliding parts.
• PEEK — High-temp (up to 260°C), aerospace, medical implants.
• Nylon (PA6 / PA66) — Wear strips, rollers, structural insulators.
• PC (Polycarbonate) — Housings, transparent covers, impact-resistant parts.
• PTFE (Teflon) — Chemical seals, gaskets, low-friction surfaces.
• ABS — Enclosures, prototypes, jig/fixture components.
• UHMW-PE — Wear strips, guides, food-grade components.

Available finishes

As-machined, bead blast, polished, painted, anti-static coating.