Aluminum is a versatile material with properties that make it ideal for CNC machining. Aluminum has excellent machinability, welding and electroplating properties as well as good corrosion resistance. The metal is also characterized by a high strength-to-weight ratio and good temperature resistance. After machining, aluminum has a low risk of deformation or defects and is easy to polish and color.
Because of these properties, aluminum is a broadly used metal in many industries, including automotive, defense, aerospace, transportation, construction, packaging, electronics, consumer goods and more.
| Features | Info | ||||
| Subtypes |
6061-T6, 7075-T6, 7050, 2024, 5052, 6063, etc |
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Process |
CNC machining, injection molding, sheet metal fabrication |
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| Tolerance |
With drawing: as low as +/- 0.005 mm No drawing: ISO 2768 medium |
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| Applications |
Light & economic, used from prototyping to production |
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Finishing Options |
Alodine, Anodizing Types 2, 3, 3 + PTFE, ENP, Media Blasting, Nickel Plating, Powder Coating, Tumble Polishing. |
| Subtypes |
Yield Strength |
Elongation at Break |
Hardness | Density |
Maximum Temp |
|
Aluminum 6061-T6 |
35,000 PSI |
12.50% |
Brinell 95 |
2.768 g/㎤ 0.1 lbs / cu. in. |
1080° F |
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Aluminum 7075-T6 |
68,000 psi |
11% |
Rockwell B86 |
2.768 g/㎤ 0.1 lbs / cu. in |
380° F |
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Aluminum 5052 |
23,000 psi |
8% |
Brinell 60 |
2.768 g/㎤ 0.1 lbs / cu. in. |
300° F |
|
Aluminum 6063 |
16,900 psi |
11% |
Brinell 55 |
2.768 g/㎤ 0.1 lbs / cu. in. |
212° F |
| Name | Description | Materials | Color | Texture | Link | |
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Anodizing | Anodizing improves corrosion resistance, enhances wear resistance and hardness, and protects the metal surface. Widely used in mechanical parts, aircraft, and automobile parts, precision instruments, etc. | All materials | Clear, black, grey, red, blue, gold. | Smooth, matte finish. | Learn More |
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Bead blasting results in parts with a smooth surface with a matte texture. Used mainly for visual applications and can be followed by other surface treatments. |
ABS, Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel |
n/a | Matte | Learn More | |
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Powder Coating | Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. Unlike conventional liquid paint which is delivered via an evaporating solvent, powder coating is typically applied electrostatically and then cured under heat or with ultraviolet light. | Aluminum |
Black, any RAL code or Pantone number |
Gloss or semi-gloss |
Learn More |
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Electroplating | Electroplated coating preserves the surface of parts and resists rusts and other defects from causing decay by applying electric currents to reduce metal cations. |
Aluminum, steel, stainless steel |
n/a |
Gloss or semi-gloss |
Learn More |
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Polishing |
Ranging from Ra 0.8~Ra0.1, polishing processes use an abrasive material to rub the part’s surface to make the shine more less shiny, depending on your requirements. |
All materials |
n/a |
Smooth, glossy finish |
Learn More |
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Brushing |
Brushing is a surface treatment process in which abrasive belts are used to draw traces on the surface of a material, usually for aesthetic purposes. |
ABS, Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel |
n/a |
Stain |
Learn More |
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Painting |
Painting involves spraying a layer of paint onto the surface of the part. Colors can be matched to a Pantone color number of the customer’s choosing, while finishes range from matte to gloss to metallic. |
Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Steel |
Custom |
Gloss, semi-gloss, flat, metallic, textured |
Learn More |
