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CNC machining services are the foundation of modern precision engineering. From aerospace components to automotive parts and specialist scientific instruments, the process allows manufacturers to produce complex, high-quality parts with exceptional accuracy. Among the many factors that determine the success of a project, material selection stands out as one of the most critical.
While plastics and composites play important roles in some applications, metals remain the dominant choice for industries where strength, durability, and performance are non-negotiable. Each metal brings its own balance of machinability, weight, corrosion resistance, thermal performance, and cost. Choosing the right one requires both technical insight and practical experience.
In the UK, companies like JV Precision provide trusted subcontract CNC machining services across a range of demanding sectors, helping customers make informed decisions and delivering components that meet the highest standards.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common metals used in CNC machining — aluminium, stainless steel, mild steel, titanium, Inconel, copper and brass — and look at where they excel and what machining challenges to expect.
Metals are the backbone of CNC machining for good reason. They combine high tensile strength with resilience, conductivity, and thermal performance. This makes them essential in sectors like aerospace, defence, marine, and mining, where components are often subjected to extreme conditions.
The choice of metal has direct implications on:
Durability: Components must withstand wear, load and environment conditions.
Precision: Some metals allow tighter tolerances and fine surface finishes.
Manufacturing cost & efficiency: Easier-to-machine materials reduce cycle time and tooling costs.
Performance: Properties such as strength-to-weight ratio and heat resistance often determine final material choice.
Aluminium is one of the most widely used metals in CNC machining because of its lightweight yet strong nature, good corrosion resistance, and excellent machinability. Common alloy grades like 6061 and 7075 offer a good combination of properties and productivity.
Key advantages:
Lightweight with good strength-to-weight ratio — ideal for aerospace and automotive where reducing mass improves performance.
Corrosion resistance — suitable for outdoor or rugged applications.
Excellent machinability — cuts easily with sharp tooling and produces clean chips.
Machining notes:
Aluminium is softer than many steels, meaning it can be machined at higher speeds and with less tool wear. However, softer grades can generate burrs and built-up edge if tooling and parameters aren’t optimized. Proper tooling geometry, coolant control and good chip evacuation are important for achieving smooth, accurate parts.
Typical applications: Aerospace brackets, housings, automotive performance parts, prototypes.
Stainless steel combines strength and corrosion resistance, making it essential for environments exposed to moisture, chemicals or high hygiene standards. Common grades include 304 and 316.
Key advantages:
Outstanding resistance to corrosion, suitable for marine, food-grade and medical environments.
Tough and durable with good wear resistance.
Aesthetic surface finish potential for visible components.
Machining challenges:
Stainless steel is harder and work-hardens quickly during machining, which leads to higher tool wear, heat build-up and slower cutting speeds. Special feeds, tooling coatings, and effective coolant strategies are necessary to achieve consistent quality.
Typical applications: Medical devices, marine parts, chemical equipment, precision fixtures.
Mild steel, a low-carbon version of steel, is one of the most cost-effective and widely used materials in manufacturing.
Key advantages:
Affordable and readily available.
Good mechanical strength for general structural parts.
Easy to machine compared with high-strength steels.
Machining notes:
Mild steel machines well but can rust if left unprotected. Surface treatments like painting, plating or coating are often applied post-machining to improve corrosion resistance.
Typical applications: Fixtures, jigs, automotive and industrial components.
Titanium alloys are premium materials used in industries where strength, light weight, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility are critical.
Key advantages:
Excellent strength-to-weight ratio — stronger than most steels at a fraction of the weight.
High corrosion resistance — great for marine, medical and aerospace environments.
Biocompatible — safe for implants and surgical tools.
Machining challenges:
Titanium’s low thermal conductivity means heat quickly concentrates at the cutting edge, increasing tool wear and generating heat. Specialized tooling, slow feed rates, and rigid workholding are essential for successful machining and tight tolerance control.
Typical applications: Turbine components, surgical implants, high-performance aerospace parts.
Inconel refers to nickel-chromium superalloys known for their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and corrosive environments.
Key advantages:
Exceptional heat resistance — retains strength at high temperatures.
Corrosion resistance — handles aggressive environments.
Durability under fatigue and stress.
Machining challenges:
Inconel alloys are among the toughest materials to machine due to work-hardening, poor thermal conductivity and high toughness. They often require slower cutting speeds, specialized tooling and careful parameter planning to deliver precise parts without excessive tool wear.
Typical applications: Aerospace turbine parts, marine and subsea hardware, high-temperature engine components.
Copper is valued for its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, making it indispensable in electrical and heat transfer applications.
Key advantages:
Very high electrical conductivity — great for connectors and power systems.
Thermal conductivity — ideal for heat exchangers.
Machining challenges:
Copper’s softness and ductility can cause deformation and gummy chips during machining, and it can stick to cutting tools. Controlled feed rates, sharp tools and lubrication help reduce distortion and maintain accuracy.
Typical applications: Electrical terminals, heat-transfer components, conductive bus bars.
Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, combines good mechanical properties with excellent machinability.
Key advantages:
Extremely machinable with minimal tool wear.
Good corrosion resistance.
Attractive finish makes it suitable for visible components.
Machining notes:
Brass machines smoothly and produces clean chips, making it ideal for precision fittings and decorative applications. It also generally holds tighter tolerances with less force compared with harder alloys.
Typical applications: Precision connectors, valves, decorative hardware.
Selecting the appropriate metal for CNC machining requires balancing mechanical performance, operating environment and cost. Aerospace and medical sectors might prioritise titanium or Inconel for strength and high-temperature performance, while automotive and general engineering might lean toward aluminium or mild steel for cost and productivity. Copper and brass excel where conductivity and machinability are priorities.
Success in material selection is easier with expert guidance. JV Precision supports customers not only with advanced CNC machining services but also with engineering advice to ensure optimal outcomes and component performance.
Please send us your detail inquiry:
- 2D or 3D drawing or Sample
- quantity
- surface finish requirement
Anna Zhong
JV Precision Manufacturing Co.,Ltd.
DongGuan JIECHEN Precision Hardware Manufacturing Co.,Ltd.
TEL: +86-153-3836-0970 (whatsapp, wechat)
E-mail: anna.zhong@jvprecisionmfg.com
Website: www.jvprecisionmfg.com
