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Choosing the Right Metal for CNC Machining: Factors to Consider

For successful and effective CNC machining, it is very important to choose the right metal to work with. Learn some of the factors you should consider when choosing the right metal below.

What Environment Will Your Part Work In?

Be aware of the type of environment your part will be working in, as this will help you determine what will be the best metal to work with. Specifically, you should be aware of how high or low the temperature will be, whether the part will be exposed to such elements as salt, water, or corrosive chemicals (such as acid), the amount of pressure and vibration the part may endure while in operation, and the finishes of the part and machinery it is a part of.

What is the Fatigue Factor of the Metal?

Be aware of your metal’s fatigue factor, as this can lead to parts that can give way without warning if they are used in the wrong environments. You need to choose a metal that has a Maximum Service Temperature (MST) well above what your part will experience in order to be fairly sure that your part will not collapse while in operation.

What is the Strength of the Metal?

There are three main levels: Impact, compressive, and tensile, plus every metal has a varying profile among all three levels. It is important to know the exact composition of your metal; mechanical engineers can be especially helpful in determining the exact strength and composition of your metal.