Aluminum is one of the most highly sought-after CNC materials, as it&#;s well-suited for creating custom metal parts and prototypes such as brackets, base plates, and heat sink enclosures. Aluminum offers excellent machinability and can be heat-treated to high strength and hardness.
However, no two aluminum alloys are the same. It is often a challenge for manufacturers and fabricators to identify the most suitable aluminum for CNC machining without compromising end quality or exceeding budget.
Below, we briefly discuss some of the most commonly used CNC aluminum alloys and learn about their favorable properties and application areas.
Choosing the right grade aluminum for aluminum CNC machining involves analyzing several factors in parallel, such as tensile strength, high corrosion resistance, weldability, machinability, and workability. Each grade has been metallurgically engineered for some specific application areas. Aluminum alloys are widely used in various industries due to their excellent properties.
Let&#;s analyze some highly popular aluminum alloys that undergo CNC processes such as milling, turning, and multi-axis machining to produce useful machine parts and prototypes for various industries. Custom aluminum machined parts can be tailored to meet specific requirements.
is one of the most widely used aluminum alloys. It is lightweight and offers a clean surface finish. It&#;s also much easier to machine and weld than for a wide range of structural applications.
is mostly preferred for corrosion-prone low-budget applications where frequent welding is required. This explains why manufacturers consider as the go-to aluminum for most machine parts. Aluminum CNC machining of is common due to its versatility.
However, not all alloys carry similar properties. Thus, understanding the machining properties of different aluminum grades is essential for choosing the right grade for CNC machining parts for the end application. The natural corrosion resistance of makes it suitable for various environments.
Applications:
offers excellent high corrosion resistance and exhibits the highest strength amongst all 6xxx series alloys; therefore, it&#;s an ideal alternative to alloys and is best suited for stressed applications. Custom aluminum machined parts made from are often used in demanding environments.
However, because it&#;s available in different grades, it&#;s important to select the grade appropriate for the end application. For instance, the most popular L grades (L111, L113, L114, L115) are used in aerospace and military applications.
Applications:
Zinc is the primary alloying element in ; thus, it offers the highest strength-to-weight ratio compared to any other aluminum alloy and is twice that of alloys. is widely used for aircraft and aerospace applications. Aluminum CNC machining of requires specific expertise due to its unique properties.
However, the mechanical properties vary by temper. The T6 temper has the highest strength but the lowest stress corrosion resistance; therefore, in high-stress applications, the T73 or T76 alloys are more suitable. A local metal supplier can assist you in selecting the right temper of depending on the end application. The wear and corrosion resistance of can be enhanced through proper heat treatment.
Applications:
-T4 exhibits an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio coupled with high fatigue resistance, thus it&#;s suitable for aerospace applications.
However, it is highly susceptible to environmental corrosion. Though alloys can be forged and hot worked (T3, T4, and T8 tempers), they are not ideal for welding and soldering.
Applications:
is a medium- to high-strength alloy from the 5xxx series, with a strength slightly higher than alloys. The H32 hardened aluminum alloy offers excellent corrosion resistance to caustic environments in the absence of copper from its configuration.
Additionally, the high concentration of magnesium offers corrosion resistance from toxic chemicals, such as concentrated nitric acid, ammonia, and ammonium hydroxide. Though alloys cannot be heat-treated like or alloys, they can be cold worked to increase their strength.
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Applications:
is a homogenized and stress-relieved aluminum cast plate for high precision applications. It is a low-cost alternative to MIC-6, yet it comes with a very fine grain porosity-free structure. As a result, offers predictable tolerances and excellent dimensional stability.
Also, it allows you to work with thinner plates to optimize costs and save processing time.
Applications:
MIC-6 is a 7xxx series aluminum alloy with zinc as its major alloying element. As a cast product, it is fully stress-relieved and allows for high-speed metal removal with little to no distortion, unlike other long-grained metal alloys. MIC-6 can be considered an ideal replacement to when high strength is not the primary requirement.
The granular cast structure contributes to its improved dimensional stability and smooth flatness tolerance as compared to alloys. When machined, MIC-6 produces small, uniform chips and offers good weldability and high resistance to corrosion cracks.
Applications:
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Customizable thickness: Measure in inches. You can get various options for all industry applications.Can be cut to specific shapes and sizes: Excellent weldability to cater to unique project needs.Corrosion resistance: Grades like -T651 are perfect for marine hardware applications that require superior rust resistance.
Environmental resilience: Due to its heat treatable nature, aluminum does well in extreme conditions.Wide selection of sizes and dimensions: Choose your sizes based on tensile strength, width, and weight.Good machinability: It&#;s lightweight and high strength makes it flexible for a number of applications.
Reliable supply: Consistent, certified aluminum stock you can trust.High-quality material: Superior-grade aluminum for precision needs.Custom cuts: Accurate cuts down to thousandths of an inch.
In CNC machining, especially when machining aluminum, anodizing is a crucial finishing process that enhances the mechanical properties and appearance of aluminum parts. Among the different types of anodizing for aluminum CNC machining, there are three that stand out.
Pure aluminum is often used as a base material due to its excellent electrical conductivity, but various alloys are created by adding a main alloying element to enhance specific properties.
These anodizing types are integral to the CNC aluminum machining process, enhancing the aluminum&#;s corrosion resistance and strength, which is vital for the manufacturing process. CNC machines using the right cutting tool can significantly benefit from these anodizing methods, ensuring the longevity and performance of CNC aluminum machining components.
Here&#;s a comparison table to illustrate the differences between the anodizing types used in CNC machines:
Anodizing TypeApplicationBenefitsType I-Chromic AcidAerospace, Welded PartsThin coating, Non-conductive, Primer for paintingType II-Sulfuric AcidAutomotive, Consumer ProductsDurable, Suitable for high wear partsType III-Hard AnodizeHeavy-duty (Automotive, Military)Thickest and hardest coating, High wear resistanceBy understanding these types in aluminum CNC machining, manufacturers can optimize the machining process and choose the best anodizing method based on the intended use and required mechanical properties of the CNC machining aluminum parts.
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