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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn this guide, we provide an overview of the most commonly used materials for CNC machining, including their properties and applications. We will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each material, as well as the factors to consider when selecting the best material for your specific project. By the end of this guide, you\u2019ll have a better understanding of the different materials available for CNC machining and be able to make an informed decision when choosing the best material for your project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Commonly Utilized CNC Machining Materials<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider Material Properties<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider Finishing Requirements<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider Pricing, Availability, and Lead Time<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider Statutory, Quality, and Regulatory Requirements<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider Other Design Requirements<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider How the Material Behaves During Machining<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sourcing Simplified<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n While your material selection is dependent on a multitude of factors, there are some tried & true material choices for CNC machining. These materials are utilized often because they provide a good combination of machinability, cost, availability, strength, and environmental resistance. Here are the most commonly chosen materials for CNC machining and the most prominent reasons they are chosen for CNC machining: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro-Tip: Click the links above for quick information about each material, including CNC machining processes, tolerances, design recommendations, relative cost, material properties, and more!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The first and most important thing to consider when choosing a material for CNC machining is its properties. Both metals and plastics have the following set of relevant material properties: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro-Tip: Our resource center has a wealth of knowledge and insights to help you discern the difference between the most commonly used material properties, click on the links above or <\/em>check out our full list of articles<\/em><\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While that may appear to be an overwhelming list of properties to evaluate, it\u2019s a good idea to sort the types of material properties based on priority for your specific application. For example, if you\u2019re designing a heat exchanger<\/a>, you will likely rank thermal properties pretty high and not need to consider optical or acoustic properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are entire textbooks<\/a> written on material selection (check out our adaptation of a textbook method<\/a>) and chances are you\u2019ve picked up some tips based on your experience. The good thing is that materials are pretty consistent, so once you have experience using certain materials, you\u2019ll be much faster at narrowing down a list of potential candidates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the most important properties to consider when narrowing down your list of CNC material candidates, along with some of the materials that provide the best value for each: <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Finishing<\/a> refers to the form and function of the surface of a part and can be a result of surface finishing, coating, plating<\/a>, or painting the CNC machined parts. Coatings may be applied via an electrolytic process, by surface modification via a chemical reaction<\/a>, or by spraying the parts such as with powder coating<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Surface finishing often means smoothing or roughening up a surface and can be accomplished with a variety of media, or processes such as grinding, honing, tumbling<\/a>, polishing<\/a>, blasting<\/a>, lapping, and buffing. Plating is a typically electrochemical process<\/a> whereby metals are deposited on the surface of a part to achieve a material property not inherent to the part itself, it can be electroless (electroless nickel<\/a>) or done for aesthetic purposes (like jewelry). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Finishing may be an afterthought in your design process, but that isn\u2019t the best practice. You should carefully review any specifications surrounding the finish requirements<\/a> for your part because there may be material compatibility issues if you don\u2019t. So, follow these general guidelines: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro-Tip: Surface preparation is key to ensuring the integrity and adhesion of coatings, plating, and paint. Research the best preparation methods and if you don\u2019t know where to start, there are many industry specifications that can point you in the right direction.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ensuring that you meet statutory, quality, and regulatory requirements is often the job of a design engineer, and meeting those requirements starts with choosing the right materials. Here is a graphic to help simplify the hierarchy of competing requirements: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Use these tips to simplify picking the best material for regulatory, statutory, customer, and quality requirements: <\/p>\n\n\n\n These requirements can be complex, so it\u2019s important to thoroughly understand and research them before selecting a material \u2014 and check that your material type can be tested for the certification process that it must undergo to be certified. Not all materials are compatible with all testing procedures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also advisable to look at how the material behaves during machining using the following guidelines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter how complex your designs, or the materials you need to bring them to life, Fictiv can produce the custom, CNC-machined tight tolerance parts you need. Our manufacturing experts can help you select the right material for your application, and our online platform simplifies custom part sourcing with intelligent, streamlined, automated workflows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fictiv is your operating system for custom manufacturing that makes part procurement simpler, easier, and more efficient. We deliver high quality mechanical components, fast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Create an account<\/a> and upload your part to see what our instant online CNC quote<\/a> process, design for manufacturability feedback<\/a>, and intelligent platform can do for you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining is a modern manufacturing process that involves the use of computer software and machinery to create complex and precise parts and components. One of the most important factors that determine the quality and accuracy of CNC machining is the choice of material. Selecting the right material for CNC machining can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":166,"featured_media":11690,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","fictiv_role":[],"fictiv_topic":[],"fictiv_industry":[],"fictiv_manufacturing_process":[35],"coauthors":[196],"class_list":["post-11688","cpt_blog","type-cpt_blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nCommonly Utilized CNC Machining Materials<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Consider Finishing Requirements<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Consider Pricing, Availability, and Lead Time<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Consider Statutory, Quality, and Regulatory Requirements<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Other Design Requirements to Consider<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Consider How the Material Behaves During Machining<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Fictiv – Complex Parts at Ridiculous Speeds <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n