Top-notch and premium CNC machining Aluminum service at DEK

What Are The Benefits Of CNC Machining Aluminum?

Aluminum is one of the most popular materials for CNC machining projects due to its physical properties. Aluminum is a strong material which makes it ideal for mechanical parts. Its outer layer is oxidized which makes it resistant to corrosion from the elements. These properties make them the most desirable material across all industries like aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics.

Aluminum offers the advantages that make the CNC machining process more easy and improved. Unlike other metals with the same properties, aluminum offers impressive machinability which makes the cutting tool penetrates to different grades of aluminum easy and it is also easy to shape. Because of these properties, aluminum can be machined three times faster the steel or iron.

Why Do Many Machined Parts Choose Aluminum As The Ideal Material?

Some detailed benefits of aluminum CNC machining are as below:

Machinability

The main reason why aluminum is the best option for CNC machining is that it’s easy to machine. This specific feature benefits the manufacturer, the business owner who is ordering, and the one who is eventually going to use it. Aluminum is easy to shape and can also be cut quickly with accuracy. These properties make the processing timeframe short and cheaper because less labor and less operating time are required. Good machinability also means less deformation while the cutting tool goes through the workpiece.

Electrical conductivity

CNC machined aluminum parts are good electrical conductive. Though they are not as conductive as copper pure aluminum is 37.7 million conductive at room temperature. Alloys have lower conductivities than aluminum like stainless steel.

Corrosion resistance

Corrosion resistance depends upon the different grades of aluminum. Grades which are popular for CNC machining are fortunately most resistant like 6061, it offers excellent resistance against corrosion. Strong aluminum alloy tends to be less resistant to corrosion because they contain alloyed copper.

Anodization potential

CNC machined aluminum parts are mostly used in the consumer electronics industry, not only for its strength and weight but also for their aesthetics. Aluminum is also receptive to paints and tints, it can be treated with anodization, a procedure used for the surface finishing which thickens the oxidized and protective outer layer of the part. This process takes place after the machining is done. Anodizing makes it easier to add color to the aluminum machined parts since the anodized outer layer is porous. Dyes find their way through the pores and are embedded in the tough outer part of the metal part.

Recyclability

Aluminum is highly recyclable which makes it the first option for businesses looking to minimize the environmental impact or for those who are seeking to reduce the material wastage and reduce the cost. In CNC machining the recyclable material is important due to a large amount of wastage.

Strength-to-weight ratio

Aluminum has the most desirable physical properties which make it ideal for CNC machining, these two important factors are its high strength and lightweight. These properties make it the best option for the parts used in the aerospace and automotive industries. Shafts and aircraft fitting are the two main parts that can be machined from the aluminum.

What Industries Often Use Aluminum CNC Machined Parts?

Following are the industry often use aluminum CNC machined parts:

Aerospace

Due to its high strength to weight ratio it is used in the aerospace industry. Several parts including aircraft fittings are made from CNC machined aluminum.

Automotive

Several automotive parts such as shafts, valves, chassis, and other components are made from aluminum.

Electrical

Aluminum is an electrically conductive material and CNC machined aluminum parts are extensively used in electrical appliances.

Food/Pharmaceutical

Aluminum does not react with most organic elements and plays important role in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Sports

It is also used in sports equipment manufacturing and baseball bats and sport whistles are made from the aluminum CNC machining

Cryogenics

Due to aluminum properties to retain mechanical properties below sub-zero temperature it is desirable in cryogenic applications.

Which Aluminum Series Are Suitable For CNC Machining?

These are the aluminum best suitable for CNC machining:

Aluminum 6061-T6

It is the most popular aluminum in the market and it is offered as a standard grade for CNC machining by manufacturing companies. Aluminum 6061-T6 is easy to machine versatile and also has a different heat treatment. It is also used in a wide variety of applications. Common applications include automotive parts like valves, bicycle frames, chassis, and many others.

Mechanical features:

• Elongation limit: 17%
• Elasticity: 68.9 GPa
• Hardness: 60 HRB
• Tensile Strength: 310 MPa

 Aluminum 7075-T6

It is used for high-strength and performance applications. 7075-T6 is known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and its hardness is sometimes compared to the softer steels. Widely used in aerospace and military industries and some of the common applications are missile parts, fuse parts, and aircraft fittings. Aluminum 7075-T6 is also used in sporting goods and bikes for the high-performance.

Mechanical features:

• Elongation limit: 10-15%
• Elasticity: 69 – 76 GPa
• Hardness: 79 – 86 HRB
• Tensile Strength: 434 – 580 MPa
• Service Temperature: 100 °C

Aluminum 2024-T4

It is a moderate to high-strength alloy with good fracture toughness and fatigue resistance. It is not as strong as above mentioned aluminum but is still suitable for aerospace applications. Aluminum 2024-T4 common applications are transport vehicle parts, wing tension members, and aircraft fuselage.

Mechanical features:

• Elongation limit: 14-20%
• Elasticity: 71 – 73.1 GPa
• Hardness: 70 – 120 HRB
• Tensile Strength: 200 – 540 MPa
• Service Temperature: 200 °C

Aluminum MIC 6

It is used for producing stable, high tolerance plates from its unique combination of alloy and casting methods. Aluminum has good stress-relieving properties and excellent accuracy and machinability. It is smooth and lightweight and used in machining components, electronics, and laser technology.

Mechanical features:

• Elongation limit: 3%
• Elasticity: 71 GPa
• Hardness: 65 HRB
• Tensile Strength: 166 MPa
• Service Temperature: 427 °C

Aluminum 6082

Its properties are similar to 6061 but have slightly higher tensile strength. Aluminum 6082 has the highest strength out of all the series alloys and also has impressive corrosion resistance. It is used in general purpose applications for the added degree of strength and toughness. It is popular in construction and used in bridges, trusses, and towers.

Mechanical features:

• Elongation limit: 6.3 – 18%
• Elasticity: 69 – 71 GPa
• Hardness: 35-56 HRB
• Tensile Strength: 140 – 340 MPa
• Service Temperature: 130 – 150 °C

What Is the Most Common Type Of Aluminum Used For CNC Machining?

There are many types of aluminum used in CNC machining but the most common types are mentioned below:

2011

Also known as “the butteriest of the butter” is the most machinable of all the aluminum grades. The downside of this grade is that it has low corrosion resistance and is necessary to be treated by anodized.

2024

This grade is usually used in the military and aerospace industry because of its mechanical properties like high strength and resistance. The drawback of this grade is that it has bad welding properties and low corrosion resistance.

5052

It is used in forming application because of its softness. Commonly used in the marine industry because of its impressive corrosion resistance.

6061

It has good mechanical properties like weldability and is ideal for the extrusion process due to its toughness and medium to high strength. It is used in 5 axis machining.

6063

Same function as 6061 but more commonly used in extrusion. It is stiff which makes it harder to machine.

7075

7075 has exceptional fatigue strength and is suitable for welding. Most commonly used in tough parts like fuselages, rock climbing kits, bicycle parts, and aircraft wings. Good in corrosion resistance.

Aluminum vs Stainless Steel, Which Is Easy For CNC Machining?

Aluminum is available in a range of different alloys and is cost-effective for CNC machining. It is highly machinable and also has a low raw material cost associated. So because of these reasons, there is no wondering that most of the manufacturers choose aluminum over other material as CNC machining metal. It also has good corrosion and temperature resistance.

Whereas stainless steel is also available in a range of alloys and is used as versatile and popular CNC machining material.  Stainless steel is not machinable as aluminum but has good machinability to low material cost ratio. Stainless has certain properties like chemical resistance, high strength, and hardness, these properties can be proved ideal for your applications. It is used in aerospace, automotive, healthcare, food, and marine industries.

The use and easiness of CNC machining on both materials solely depends upon the parts manufacturing is producing and its application. If you compare, CNC machining on aluminum is much easier as compared to stainless steel due to its mechanical and physical properties. However, to ensure that you are choosing the most accurate and efficient material, keep in the loop with the manufacturer that can guide you through the process.

What Machining Technologies Can Be Used To Machine The Aluminum?

CNC milling

CNC milling is most commonly used in machining aluminum parts. The operation of CNC milling involves the rotation of the multi-point cutting along its axis, while the workpiece remains stationary. The cutting of material is achieved by the motion of either workpiece, the cutting tool, or both of them combined.

CNC Turning

In the CNC turning process, the workpiece rotates while the single-point cutting tool is stationary along its axis. To achieve the removal of the material, either workpiece or the cutting tool carries motion against each other.

Swiss Turning

Swiss turning technology is one of the methods used in aluminum CNC machining. In this process, the headstock of conventional lathe machines is fixed at one position. What makes the swiss turning machines different from other conventional machines is their moving headstock. It is used in automotive, watch, medical, electronics and hardware, aerospace, and military industries.

Surface Grinding

It is a machine in which a grinding tool is used as a cutting tool for the removal of the material from the workpiece. It is an abrasive machining process in nature where abrasives are places on the corners and surface of the grinding wheels which make the finishing process more accurate. This method is one of the aluminum CNC machining processes used for the finishing of aluminum products.

Centerless Grinding Machine

It is one of the many processes used in aluminum machining. It uses the abrasive method to remove the material from the workpiece. This process involves two rotating cylinders, a regular wheel: which controls the piece rotation speed and feed rate for in-feed grinding, and linear travel for through grinding. And the second cylinder is a large abrasive grinding wheel

EDM

CNC EDM is mostly used to create precise micro holes, tapered features, slots, and other more complicated features in the aluminum material. This method is used for hard metals which are difficult to machine to the needed shape.

Why Is Anodizing Necessary After CNC Machining Aluminum?

It is an electrochemical treatment that produces an oxide layer in an electrolyte solution on aluminum. Machined parts are anodized to provide a reliable and inexpensive procedure to improve the resistance and color of aluminum. It changed the face of many industries and revolutionized the requiring lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and strong aluminum profiles for decorative façade panels, window frames, and other elements. Today it is used to protect satellites, skyscraper facades, and many components from medical and aerospace industries.

Will aluminum machined parts rust?

Rusting is a form of corrosion that is specific to iron and steel because they contain iron. Rust is the name of iron oxide, it occurs when iron and steel bond with the oxygen and undergoes oxidation. Thus, aluminum cant be rust.

How Do I Choose The Best Aluminum Parts Machining Supplier China?

China is the global leader in CNC aluminum parts manufacturing has so many suppliers are offering the same service at competitive prices. So it is necessary to choose the best one with experience in aluminum CNC machining parts and provides the above-par service. We at DEK never compromises on the quality of your product and keeps our client in the communication loop throughout the production process to ensure we deliver what was expected from us. Below are the qualities that make us stand out from our competition:

Internation Standard Quality System

Our top priority is our quality, we never compromise on our quality and promise our customers to provide above-par quality with utmost service. We have built a very effective quality management system to ensure you get the best and get it every time. We are ISO 9001 certified

High Accuracy Measuring Instruments

DEK employs many modern instruments to make every product as you wanted, we have Carl Zeiss, CMM, Spectrometer, X-ray Detector, and Cleanliness testing lab, etc, to assure the good quality and accuracy in CNC aluminum parts.

Strict Inspection Management

With our measurement lab tool, we ensure strict inspection of the aluminum die casting machined parts from raw material to the finished product. DEK guarantees all the parts up to mark and according to the client’s requirements.

Is Aluminum CNC Machining Service Expensive?

Aluminum CNC machining service is a cheap process as compared to other machining techniques and aluminum CNC machined parts are used in different industries due to it’s unique physical and mechanical properties. Below mentioned are some of the features of aluminum that makes it less expensive:

Durable

Aluminum parts do not chip and flake. It is also strong corrosion-resistant and can endure outdoor conditions for more than five years.

Low Cost

Anodized Aluminum part’s service life is longer than other parts and also has a lower manufacturing cost.

Easy to Maintain

Aluminum parts can remain in the same condition throughout many years and can be cleaned through soap and mild detergent to remove the dirt.

Does DEK Offer Aluminum CNC Machining Service?

Yes, DEK offers top-notch aluminum CNC machining services worldwide. DEK is one of the top Aluminum CNC service providers in China specialized in producing the best aluminum part. With more than 25 years in the CNC aluminum field, DEK has worked with major industries worldwide and delivered high-caliber and exceptional CNC aluminum parts to its client on a competitive budget.

We offer:

• Top-grade and cost-efficient CNC aluminum parts
• 100s of powerful and accurate machinery
• Production and design of complex aluminum parts
• Timely shipment of your parts no matter what your geographical presence
• Quick-turn various and large quantities production
• Team of experienced and 24/7 supportive engineers