Total cost and material manufacturability

The most expensive materials are usually high-strength, lightweight materials. When choosing processing materials, many factors will help make decisions. To find the most compatible materials, please give priority to the most important characteristics of the finished parts. Select materials that meet the strength curve, temperature limits, and assembly requirements. Exclude materials that do not meet these requirements, compare material costs, and then select.

Generally speaking, the more materials used in parts, the higher the cost. Similarly, the cost of special materials and extremely strong materials (such as titanium) will also be higher.

Looking for companies that offer free quotes and have no minimum order quantity will help you reduce costs. Once you narrow down the scope, you can use more cost-effective materials to meet most of your needs.

Material selection guide

Sans can process hundreds of metal, alloy, and plastic materials, as well as other materials customized according to requirements. Therefore, we will discuss the most popular materials and their characteristics below.

Metal

One of the most common material types in CNC milling is metal, and there are also many choices. Let's get a general idea of the best-known options and applications for each metal. According to the size and geometry of the part, the material cost may account for a large part of the total price of the part.

Aluminum

Aluminum is probably the most widely used material in CNC machining and milling, and it is an excellent choice for mechanical parts and external parts. Compared with other metals, aluminum is usually processed faster than other metals, which is the most economical method. Aluminum parts form a protective layer when exposed to the environment, thereby improving strength and corrosion resistance. Given these high-quality material characteristics, CNC milling aluminum is very suitable for the automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and consumer electronics industries. Specific applications include aircraft accessories, electronic enclosures, medical equipment, gears, and shafts.

Aluminum 6061

It is the most commonly used general aluminum alloy with a good strength-to-weight ratio and excellent machinability. This is the most common general aluminum brand, which is usually used for auto parts, bicycle frames, sporting goods, RC frames, etc.

The main alloying elements are magnesium, silicon, and iron. Similar to other aluminum alloys, it has a good strength-to-weight ratio and natural atmospheric corrosion resistance. One of the disadvantages of 6061 is its poor corrosion resistance when exposed to salt water or other chemicals. In more demanding applications, its strength is not as good as other aluminum alloys.

The composition and material properties of aluminum 6082 are similar to those of 6061. In Europe, it is more commonly used because it complies with British standards.

Aluminum 7075

7075 is a high-end product of aluminum. It is mainly alloyed with zinc. It is one of the strongest aluminum alloys. It is an ideal choice for high-intensity entertainment equipment and automotive and aviation frameworks. For steel, aluminum 7075 has excellent fatigue performance and can achieve high strength and high hardness through heat treatment, so weight reduction is essential. However, it should be avoided when welding is required.

Aluminum 5083

Compared with most other aluminum alloys, aluminum 5083 has higher strength and excellent seawater resistance, so it is commonly used in construction and marine applications. This is also a great choice for welding.

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