CNC machining is very diverse in the choice of materials. Most metals, plastics, wood, leather, etc. can be processed by CNC technology. Therefore, before processing, it is necessary to understand the characteristics, costs and applicable timing of different materials, in order to find suitable processing materials for the product.
Metals
Aluminum
Aluminum has the characteristics of light weight, high strength, high hardness, high thermal resistance, good electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, non-magnetic properties, etc., coupled with easy processing and low cost. Whether it is making customized products or samples, aluminum is an affordable machining material option. Good thermal conductivity makes aluminum often used as a heat dissipation material.
Aluminum is a commonly used metal in industry, and many industrial parts cutting require the assistance of CNC machining technology. Aluminum is very light in weight and suitable for use in transportation tools, 3C home appliances, construction
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is an alloy steel composed of several metals in different proportions. It mainly contains metals such as carbon, iron, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, among which the proportion of chromium must be greater than 10.5% to be called stainless steel. The anti-oxidation properties of chromium can prevent iron from rusting; nickel can resist acid and alkali; manganese reduces processing costs; molybdenum has high hardness and strength, and is more corrosion-resistant, but the cost is also high.
Stainless steel has high strength, high ductility, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and is easy to weld, process and polish. Different proportions of stainless steel have different properties and uses. Therefore, before selecting processing materials, you must first understand the characteristics and applicable occasions of different numbers of stainless steels.
| No. | 201 | 204 | 304 | 316 | 430 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 18% | ||||
| Nickel (Ni) | 3.5% | 2% | 8% | 10% | 0% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 5.5% | 8% | 2% | 2% | 1% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0% | 0% | 0% | 2.5% | 0% |
| Anti-corrosion | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Strength | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Characteristics | Industrial
✓ Low cost ✕ Rust easily |
Industrial | Food-grade
✓Most widely used |
Medical
✓Corrosion resistant ✓Non magnetic ✕High Cost |
Food-grade
✓Magnetic ✓Low cost ✓Corrosion resistant ✕Rust easily |
Stainless steel is mainly used in CNC machining in medical, food, beverage, aerospace and other products that have high strength requirements for parts. Different grades of stainless steel materials have different uses in the industry. Therefore, before CNC machining, it is necessary to understand the characteristics of each material before selecting the applicable stainless steel type.
Mild steel
Mild steel, also known as low carbon steel, refers to steel with a carbon content of less than 0.25%. Compared with general materials, mild steel has low strength and low hardness. Strong ductility, low tensile strength, wear resistance, low cost, easy processing, forming, welding and other characteristics make mild steel widely used. With CNC machining technology, mild steel can be used in the industry for mechanical parts, steel bars, chains, rivets, bolts, iron wires, tinplates, etc., which require greater ductility.
Brass
Brass is a copper alloy composed of copper and zinc. It has ductility, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and is easy to process and conduct electricity. Therefore, in CNC machining, it is often used in the manufacture of precision instruments and the production of ship-related parts. The beautiful golden luster of brass has artistic value, making it popular in musical instruments, handicrafts, bathroom equipment and other purposes.
2. Plastic material
Plastics are commonly used in industry for chemical resistance or non-insulation due to their light weight and insulation. There are many types of plastic materials. The following paragraphs will introduce several plastic materials that are often used in CNC processing, including ABS, PC, POM, Teflon, HDPE, PEEK, etc.
ABS
ABS is a material consisting of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. ABS is the acronym of the initial letters of these chemical compounds.
ABS combines the material properties, and has the characteristics of oil resistance, high stability, toughness, impact resistance, transparency and colorlessness, good fluidity, and low density. In CNC processing, it is often used in electronic device shells, auto parts, machinery, high boxes, high security buttons, wooden hats, stationery, and batteries.
PC
PC (Polycarbonate), is a plastic material with high toughness, high impact resistance (higher than ABS). PC is transparent and colorless, heat-resistant, easy to process and easy to color. In CNC processing, it is commonly used in CD/VCD discs, water bottles, baby bottles, resin lenses, bulletproof glass, headlight covers, animal cages, mobile phone casings, etc.
POM
POM（Polyoxymethylene), also known as Derlin, is single polyoxymethylene resin with high tensile strength and impact resistance. It has strong resistance to gasoline, solvents and other chemical substances. It has physical properties similar to metal, and is the easiest to process among all plastic materials. Derlin is a common CNC machining material and is often used in automobiles, home appliances, construction, electronics, hygiene products and other fields. It is also the best material for CNC machining among plastic materials.
Teflon
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethene), commonly known as Teflon, has excellent weather resistance and insulation. It is non-stick, acid and alkali resistant, so it has the reputation of the “king of plastics”. It is also one of the few plastic materials that can withstand high temperatures of 200 °C. In CNC processing, Teflon is often used in aerospace, medical, food, electronics, petrochemical, coal, automobile, textile, machinery and other applications.
HDPE
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) has good resistance to chemical substances, and has excellent toughness, elasticity, weather resistance and other characteristics. It is easy to process, low cost, and can be in contact with food. HDPE is often used for outdoor amusement facilities, pipelines, cutting boards, gears, bearings.
PEEK
PEEK(Polyetheretherketone) has extremely high heat and chemical resistance. It can withstand high temperatures exceeding 260 ℃ and stay in harsh environments for long periods. Compared with other plastic materials, PEEK has a higher price.
3. Wood
Because of its beautiful natural grain and material texture, wood is widely used, and has the characteristics of slow heat conduction, heat preservation, light weight, and durability. Some woods have a natural fragrance, which is why wood is used in many interior designs. However, the shortcomings of corrosion, flammability and deformation, etc., must be considered before using wood as a CNC processing material.
Wood is a common CNC processing material. CNC processing technology is used for furniture, cabinets, tables and chairs, door knobs. In the decoration and processing of accessories in many tourist factories, CNC engraving machines have also been introduced in recent years to make souvenirs such as key rings.
4. Leather
Leather is a craft material made by processing animal skin through a special process. It can be divided into two categories: genuine leather (made of real animal leather) and artificial leather. Leather is durable, easy to process, and dye. The disadvantage is that it is easy to mold, deform, and needs maintenance. Leather is commonly used in clothing, leather shoes, leather bags, musical instruments, sofas, industry and other purposes.
The application of CNC routers in leather is mainly for decoration, just like wooden crafts, through CNC processing, it can also be decorated on the surface of leather to make customized accessories.
Conclusion
From metal, plastic, wood to leather, the types of materials applicable to CNC processing are very diverse, making CNC processing technology a very important processing technology in the industry. From the production of mechanical materials to daily processing, CNC processing technology can be used for industrial development and everyday things.
Have you found your ideal material? Bring your ideal material and join us in CNC machining!
Reference:
http://eastwestidea.net/index.php/%E6%9D%90%E6%96%99/item/54
https://everylittled.com/article/121971
https://www.liakoptfe.com.tw/zh-TW/blogs/whatisteflon
https://www.e-jasmine.com.tw/article_d.php?lang=tw&tb=2&id=78
https://www.ji-horng.com.tw/show/plastic-material-abs-resin.htm
https://www.lcpf.com.tw/tw/knowledge/plastic-material/006?page=1&rtnKind=list
