Carbon Steel & Alloy Steel for CNC Machining
Carbon steel and alloy steel offer an excellent balance between mechanical strength, machinability, and cost, making them a popular choice for industrial and mechanical CNC components.
By selecting appropriate steel grades and applying optimized machining strategies, CNCTAL ensures dimensional stability and consistent quality across both prototype and batch production.
- High strength suitable for load-bearing components
- Cost-efficient material options for volume production
- Good machinability with proper tooling and parameters
- Compatible with heat treatment for enhanced performance
Common Carbon & Alloy Steel Grades We Machine
1018 1020 1045 4140 4340
Carbon & Alloy Steel CNC Machining
Carbon steel and alloy steel offer an excellent balance between mechanical strength, machinability, and cost. They are widely used in industrial, automotive, and structural applications where durability matters more than corrosion resistance.
Why Choose Carbon & Alloy Steel?
Compared to aluminum and stainless steel, carbon and alloy steels provide higher tensile strength and better wear resistance at a significantly lower material cost. With proper heat treatment, their mechanical performance can be further enhanced.
- ✔ High strength and excellent load-bearing capability
- ✔ Cost-effective for medium to high volume production
- ✔ Suitable for heat treatment and surface hardening
- ✔ Widely available grades and stable supply chain
| Material Type | Typical Grades | Strength | Machinability | Cost Level | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | 1018, 1045, 1060 | Medium – High | Good | Low | Brackets, Shafts, Structural Parts |
| Alloy Steel | 4140, 4340, 8620 | High – Very High | Medium | Medium | Gears, Tooling, Load-Bearing Components |
CNC Machining Material Categories
We machine a wide range of metals and engineering plastics. Each material category is selected and processed based on machinability, dimensional stability, and long-term reliability in real production environments.
Aluminum Alloys
Lightweight, stable, and highly machinable. Aluminum is ideal for precision parts requiring tight tolerances and excellent surface finishes.
- Excellent machinability
- Low deformation risk
- Ideal for anodizing
Stainless Steel
Known for corrosion resistance and mechanical strength, stainless steel is widely used in demanding industrial and medical applications.
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- High structural strength
- Consistent dimensional stability
Carbon & Alloy Steel
A balanced choice offering strength, durability, and cost efficiency, especially suitable for mechanical and load-bearing components.
- Good strength-to-cost ratio
- Suitable for heat treatment
- Stable for batch production
Titanium Alloys
Titanium offers exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for aerospace and medical components.
- High strength-to-weight ratio
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Advanced CNC process control required
Copper & Brass
Ideal for electrical and thermal applications where conductivity and precision are critical.
- Excellent electrical conductivity
- Good surface finish
- Precision control required
Engineering Plastics
Engineering plastics provide chemical resistance, low weight, and dimensional stability for non-metal applications.
- Low weight & chemical resistance
- Stable for precision machining
- Ideal for insulation components
Material Selection Guide
Choosing the right material is critical to performance, cost, and lead time. This guide helps engineers and buyers quickly compare common CNC machining materials based on strength, weight, corrosion resistance, machinability, and cost.
| Material | Strength | Weight | Corrosion Resistance | Machinability | Cost Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Medium | Very Light | Good | Excellent | Low – Medium | Lightweight parts, housings, prototypes |
| Stainless Steel | High | Heavy | Excellent | Medium | High | Medical, food-grade, outdoor components |
| Carbon Steel | Medium – High | Heavy | Poor | Good | Low | Structural parts, brackets, shafts |
| Alloy Steel | Very High | Heavy | Poor – Medium | Medium | Medium | Gears, tooling, load-bearing components |
| Brass | Medium | Medium | Good | Excellent | Medium | Fittings, valves, decorative parts |
| Copper | Low – Medium | Heavy | Excellent | Poor | High | Electrical, thermal applications |
| Plastic (POM / Nylon) | Low | Very Light | Excellent | Excellent | Low | Insulators, low-load functional parts |
* This material guide is for reference only. Final material selection should consider part geometry, tolerance, surface finish, operating environment, and production volume. Our engineers are happy to recommend the most suitable material for your project.
Not Sure Which Material to Choose?
Our engineers can help you select the optimal material for your CNC machined parts based on strength, cost, weight, and application environment. Upload your drawings or contact us for a professional recommendation.
Contact Us / Upload Drawing