CNC Machining: Utilizing the Unique Properties of Steel Materials
The main components of steel are carbon and iron. These elements typically include carbon, chromium, nickel, manganese, silicon, molybdenum, titanium, niobium, and others, with the concentration of these elements determining the performance and price of each type of steel.
Different types of steel exhibit various characteristics such as:
- Corrosion resistance
- Wear resistance
- High strength
- Better heat treatment performance
- Easier to polish
- Easy to process
- Non-rusting
- Food-grade
- Low cost
Precision Surface Finish Control for Stainless Steel through Machining Techniques
The surface finish of stainless steel can be controlled through the machining process, with different levels of surface finish for products. We have specialized tools to compare different levels, and below we list the level standards for different machining methods:
- Flat Lapping Standard – 2, 4, and 8µm”
- Grinding Standard – 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 63µm”
- Horizontal Milling Standard – 16, 32, 63, 125, 250, and 500µm”
- Vertical Milling Standard – 16, 32, 63, 125, 250, and 500µm”
- Turning Standard – 16, 32, 63, 125, 250, and 500µm”
Complete Guide to Available Steel Materials for Fabrication
Choosing the right steel for a component requires considering factors such as load, pressure, corrosion resistance, and hardness requirements while optimizing costs through efficient machining processes.
ASTM 5115 This material has good wear resistance, impact resistance, and medium weldability. It is mainly used to manufacture gears, worm gears, and shaft sleeves.
AISI 4140 has high toughness, high fatigue limit, good impact resistance after quenching and tempering, and good low-temperature impact toughness. It is mainly used to manufacture plastic molds, gearbox gears, rear axles, and oil well drilling rod joints.
After quenching and tempering, AISI 4340 has good mechanical properties and is mainly used to manufacture structural components such as shafts and connecting rods that bear large loads, as well as wear-resistant parts for automobiles and aircraft.
AISI 1215 has relatively low requirements for mechanical properties but strict requirements for size and roughness. It is mainly used in precision instruments, watch parts, automotive parts, and instrument accessories.
SUS303 has good machinability and is suitable for the rapid cutting of standard parts, rollers, and shafts on automatic lathes. It is also suitable for products that require high surface finish.
Stainless steel AISI 304/304L has good atmospheric corrosion resistance and is mainly used to manufacture chemical parts, food machinery, pulp and paper industry, and nuclear industry.
AISI 316 has medium machinability, good weldability, and better corrosion resistance than SUS304. It has strong high-temperature capabilities and is mainly used to manufacture high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization equipment and furnaces, which will choose AISI316 material as the component.
AISI 410 has high toughness requirements and is resistant to impact, such as cutting tools, blades, fasteners, pressure valves. It can also be processed into parts that are resistant to weak corrosive media under normal temperature conditions.
AISI 416 stainless steel has low carbon content and good corrosion resistance. It is suitable for manufacturing all screw components, gears, and housings. Its strength and cutting performance are better than 304 and 316.
AISI 1018 belongs to low carbon steel and has good welding, machining, high strength, and impact resistance. It is mainly used to manufacture screws, parts, shafts, and pins.
AISI 1045 belongs to medium carbon structural steel and is suitable for cold and hot working with good mechanical properties. Its biggest advantage is its low price, which is widely used in the industrial machinery manufacturing industry. Its disadvantage is low strength, poor corrosion resistance, and average wear resistance coefficient.
4130 steel has strong corrosion resistance and is easy to weld. It is suitable for manufacturing spindles and high-load steering wheels, bolts, double-headed bolts, gears, etc.
Steel Strength
Choosing the right material is crucial for each steel component used in different locations. When selecting materials for parts, factors such as the load that the part needs to bear, the amount of pressure it needs to withstand, corrosion resistance, surface finish, and other issues should be considered.
Steel Heat Treatment
Different parts and applications have different hardness requirements. Heat treatment can improve the hardness of materials. Before the heat treatment process, a thorough analysis of the product’s machining process is required as the heat-treated steel will affect the machining process.
Steel Magnetism
Whether steel components have magnetism is an important factor to consider in the product. If a particular product has special magnetic requirements, demagnetization processes can be considered.
Cost Optimization
By optimizing the machining process flow, reducing machining processes, and increasing production capacity, costs can be effectively reduced. It is important to understand clearly the environment in which the component will be used, and not to intentionally increase the requirements for steel components, thereby increasing the overall cost of the product.
Expansion Industries for Steel CNC Machining Service
Stainless steel CNC machined parts are widely used in the drone industry, such as fuselage structures, aviation components, wing parts, etc. These parts are made of high-precision, high-strength stainless steel materials, which can maintain their performance in extreme environments and improve the stability and reliability of drones. At the same time, CNC machining technology can ensure high precision and efficiency of parts manufacturing, bringing higher levels of manufacturing processes and services to the drone industry and promoting the development of the drone industry.
Steel CNC machined parts are widely used in the automotive industry, such as brake systems, engine components, chassis parts, etc. These parts are made of high-strength and high-precision steel materials, which can maintain their performance in harsh road conditions and high-temperature and high-pressure environments. In addition, the application of CNC machining technology can ensure the precision of parts and bring higher levels of manufacturing processes and services to the automotive industry, meeting market demands.
Stainless steel CNC machined parts are widely used in the medical industry, such as surgical instruments, implants, brackets, and instruments. These parts are made of high-precision and high-strength stainless steel materials, which can be used in the body for a long time without corrosion or allergic reactions. At the same time, the application of CNC machining technology can ensure the high precision and high quality of parts processing, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medical equipment and devices. The manufacturing quality of these parts is crucial for the medical industry.
Related Product
How to choose different types of steel?
Commonly used steel materials can be roughly divided into 5 categories, not including custom materials with special requirements. The commonly used steel materials for general products are: carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, heat-resistant steel, and corrosion-resistant steel. Carbon steel is a type of steel with carbon as its main component, which has cost advantages and is usually used for some ordinary mechanical structures and parts. Alloy steel is a type of steel that contains other elements besides carbon, mainly used for high-strength and high-wear mechanical parts. Stainless steel is a type of steel with corrosion resistance, commonly used in kitchen and food utensils and equipment. Heat-resistant steel is commonly used for mechanical structures and parts under high temperature and pressure conditions, while corrosion-resistant steel is mainly used in working environments with
strong acid or alkali properties.
The high hardness of steel makes machining difficult, and the tools wear out quickly.
Steel is prone to thermal deformation, which can reduce machining accuracy.
The surface of steel is prone to scratches and abrasions, affecting the appearance quality of the parts.
Manufacturing mechanical parts such as bearings, gears, camshafts, etc.
Manufacturing automotive parts such as engine components, brake system parts, chassis components, etc.
Manufacturing aerospace parts such as aircraft engine components, fuselage structures, control surfaces, etc.
Manufacturing medical equipment and implants such as surgical instruments, stents, artificial joints, etc.
Manufacturing electronic product housings and components such as computer cases, phone casings, keyboards, etc.
When machining steel materials, it is necessary to pay attention to certain issues to ensure that the machined parts can meet the required accuracy and quality requirements. Firstly, it is necessary to choose appropriate machining processes and tools. Steel materials are typically hard, requiring wear-resistant and high-speed cutting tools for machining. Secondly, it is necessary to pay attention to cutting speeds and depths, which differ depending on the type of steel material and machining process. It is also important to regularly clean and maintain machining equipment to avoid the accumulation of cutting fluid and metal chips that may affect machining quality. Finally, it is necessary to inspect and adjust machined parts to ensure they meet design requirements and standards.
Steel is a material widely used in various industries. It is commonly used in construction, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, energy, electronics, medical and other industries. In the construction industry, steel is often used in building structures and bridges. In manufacturing, steel can be used to produce machinery, parts, and tools. In the aerospace industry, steel can be used to manufacture aircraft and aerospace components. In the automotive industry, steel can be used to manufacture car bodies, engines, chassis, and other components. In the medical industry, steel can be used to manufacture medical devices and implants.