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CNC Machining Material

Aluminum

Light, strong and finish-friendly — the first choice for appearance parts

Quick Stats

Machinability
Excellent
Tolerance
±0.01 mm
Lead Time
5-7 days
Min Wall
0.5 mm
Company
Strength
20 Years of Experience
20 Years of Experience
72 Sets of CNC Machines
72 Sets of CNC Machines
Precision: ±0.01mm
Precision: ±0.01mm
7-15 Days Fast Shipping
7-15 Days Fast Shipping
Quality
Advantages
No Knife Marks
No Knife Marks
No Scratches
No Scratches
No Blemishes
No Blemishes
No Color Difference
No Color Difference

Material Overview

Aluminum is one of the most popular and versatile materials for CNC machining, offering an exceptional combination of strength, light weight, corrosion resistance, and machinability. Its high strength-to-weight ratio makes it ideal for aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics applications where weight savings are critical.

At our facility, we stock a wide range of aluminum alloys including 6061-T6, 7075-T6, 2024-T3, and 5052-H32. Each alloy offers unique properties: 6061 for general-purpose applications, 7075 for maximum strength, 2024 for fatigue resistance, and 5052 for corrosion resistance and formability.

Aluminum machines exceptionally well, producing excellent surface finishes with tight tolerances. It is also highly receptive to surface treatments including anodizing (Type II and Type III), chromate conversion coating, powder coating, and polishing, making it suitable for both functional and decorative applications.

Key Advantages

  • Excellent strength-to-weight ratio
  • Superior corrosion resistance
  • High thermal and electrical conductivity
  • Outstanding machinability
  • Wide range of surface finish options
  • Recyclable and environmentally friendly

Material Properties

The following table lists typical mechanical, thermal, and physical properties for this material. Actual values may vary by grade and temper.

Property Value Unit

Available Grades & Alloys

We stock multiple grades for different application needs. Each grade offers distinct properties optimised for specific uses — click to view detailed specifications, machining advice and typical applications.

Common Applications

This material is widely used across multiple industries for various applications, from precision prototypes to end-use production parts.

Medical

Surgical instruments, housings

Aerospace

Structural brackets, panels

Automotive

Engine components, housings

Electronics

Heat sinks, enclosures

Robotics

Motor mounts, brackets

Industrial

Fixtures, jigs, tooling

Consumer

Frames, handles, cases

Marine

Fittings, valves, hardware

CNC Machining Tips

Available Surface Finishes

Finish Type Description Ra (typical)

Compatible Surface Treatments

Common Applications

Material FAQ

The questions engineers ask most about machining, surface quality and selecting this material.

Related to Aluminum

Can Plastic and Aluminum Parts Maintain Consistent Aesthetic Quality?+
The criteria for judgment are consistent: high gloss, high-shine surface, no scratches, and no defects. The difference lies in the process—aluminum parts rely on anodizing and polishing, while plastic parts use diamond cutting and flame polishing or mechanical polishing. When aluminum and plastic parts are mixed in the same batch, we standardize color swatches and gloss samples to avoid visual discrepancies between the two materials on the same product.

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Can CNC Machining of Acrylic (PMMA) Achieve a Mirror Finish?+
Yes. Acrylic is one of the few plastics that can achieve a mirror finish directly through cutting. We use single-crystal diamond tools for precision machining, followed by flame polishing or diamond grinding. Surface roughness is consistently controlled within Ra0.4μm, delivering a high-gloss appearance free of scratches or defects, resembling a mirror. No secondary coating is required. For batch production, identical parameters are used to ensure consistent mirror finish quality.

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PEI vs PEEK: How to Choose?+
Temperature and cost guide selection. PEI offers long-term service up to 170°C (Tg 217°C), inherent flame retardancy, and lower cost than PEEK, ideal for aerospace interiors, electrical insulation, and medical device structural parts. PEEK withstands long-term temperatures up to 250°C with better chemical and wear resistance, suitable for high-heat, corrosive, or implant-grade applications. For temperatures below 170°C, PEI is usually more economical.

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Can Plastic Parts Achieve a Ra0.4μm Mirror Finish?+
Yes, but not all plastics can achieve this. Dense, polishable materials such as acrylic, PC, POM, and PEEK, when processed with diamond tooling and polishing, can consistently reach surface roughness below Ra0.4μm, achieving a high-gloss, mirror-like appearance. Glass or carbon fiber-filled grades, due to exposed fibers, can only achieve a matte or satin finish, which we will clarify in advance.

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Does PEI (Ultem) Need Drying Before Machining?+
Yes, drying is mandatory. PEI has a high moisture absorption rate; machining wet material causes hydrolysis at process temperatures, leading to silver streaks, bubbles, and hazy surface defects. We standardize a 150°C drying process for 4 hours or more before machining. Post-machining, we perform stress-relief annealing to prevent stress cracking during assembly or use.

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What is the MOQ for Plastic Parts?+
We focus on volume production with a standard MOQ of 100 units. Unit pricing for plastic parts is highly volume-sensitive—raw materials are purchased in full sheets or bars, so material waste and setup time cannot be amortized below 100 units. Prices drop significantly above 100 units, with a standard lead time of 15-25 days for batch orders.

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Send Us Your Drawing — We Handle the Rest

Send your STEP / DWG / PDF drawing and get a detailed quote with free DFM analysis and process recommendations within 2 hours. No minimum order — from 1 piece.

Live inquiries
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