Material Engineering

Material Change Approval How to Evaluate Material Substitutions for CNC Parts Evaluate a material substitution by comparing the exact grade, condition, standard, product form and source against every functional requirement.

Material Cost Drivers How Material Hardness Affects CNC Machining Cost Use material hardness together with alloy chemistry, microstructure, stock condition, work-hardening tendency, geometry, tolerance and heat-treatment sequence when estimating CNC

Metal Selection Brass vs Aluminum for CNC Machined Parts Choose aluminum for low mass, broad alloy options, thermal performance and anodized finishes; choose brass for machinability, density, electrical/thermal behavior, wear

Material Traceability How to Read a Material Test Certificate for CNC Parts Read a material test certificate by matching supplier, material designation, specification, heat or lot, product form, dimensions, chemical

Plastic Comparison Nylon vs POM for CNC Machined Parts Choose POM when low moisture absorption, dimensional consistency and sliding performance are priorities; choose nylon when toughness, wear behavior or application-specific

Raw Material Form Plate vs Bar vs Forging for CNC Machined Parts Choose plate for broad flat geometry and available thicknesses, bar for rotational or compact prismatic stock, and forging

Engineering Plastic Selection POM vs PEEK for CNC Machined Parts Choose POM for economical, low-friction, dimensionally practical mechanical components in moderate environments; evaluate PEEK when higher temperature, chemical or performance

Aluminum Stability Why Aluminum CNC Machined Parts Distort Aluminum CNC parts distort when residual stock stress, uneven material removal, clamping force, cutting heat or weak geometry redistributes internal forces. Risk

Plastic Dimensional Stability Why Machined Plastic Parts Change Dimensions Machined plastic parts change dimensions because temperature, moisture absorption, residual stress, stock annealing, cutting heat and measurement force affect polymers more

Stainless Machinability Work Hardening in Stainless Steel CNC Machining Austenitic and other stainless steels can harden locally when a tool rubs, dwells or repeatedly cuts a deformed surface. Maintain a