Materials
Materials for machining and 3D printing
Metals and engineering plastics in standard industrial grades, listed with their EN, Werkstoff and AISI designations. Not sure which one fits your part? Tell us how it will be used and our engineers will recommend a material.
Aluminium alloys
CNCLight, fast to machine and easy to anodise — the default choice for most machined parts.
| Material | Designations | Properties | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6061-T6 / T651 | EN AW-6061 · AlMg1SiCu · 3.3214 | The all-rounder: good strength, weldable, excellent machinability and anodising | Housings, brackets, fixtures, frames, prototypes |
| 6082-T6 / T651 | EN AW-6082 · AlSi1MgMn · 3.2315 | Widely used structural alloy (EN standard) — similar to 6061 with slightly higher strength | Structural parts, machine frames, plates |
| 7075-T6 / T651 | EN AW-7075 · AlZn5.5MgCu · 3.4365 | Very high strength, close to mild steel; not weldable; hard-anodises well | Aerospace, highly loaded parts, moulds, sports equipment |
| 2024-T351 | EN AW-2024 · AlCu4Mg1 · 3.1355 | High strength and fatigue resistance; low corrosion resistance — anodise or coat | Aerospace structures, fittings, high-cycle parts |
| 5083-H111 | EN AW-5083 · AlMg4.5Mn0.7 · 3.3547 | Excellent corrosion resistance (incl. seawater), weldable, not heat-treatable | Marine parts, base plates, tanks, vacuum components |
| Cast tooling plate On request | Cast & stress-relieved 5083 (e.g. ACP 5080) | Precision-milled, very flat and dimensionally stable after machining | Base plates, fixtures, jigs, vacuum tables |
Carbon & alloy steels
CNCStrong, stiff and economical. Most grades can be heat-treated, plated or coated after machining.
| Material | Designations | Properties | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| S235JR | 1.0038 · formerly St37-2 · ≈ ASTM A36 | Low-carbon structural steel: low cost, easy to machine and weld | Frames, brackets, clamps, welded assemblies |
| S355J2 | 1.0577 · formerly St52-3 | Higher-strength structural steel, good weldability | Load-bearing parts, machine bases, heavy brackets |
| C45 | 1.0503 · AISI 1045 | Medium-carbon steel, higher strength; can be induction or flame hardened | Shafts, pins, gears, general machine parts |
| 11SMnPb30 / 11SMn30 | 1.0718 / 1.0715 · AISI 12L14 / 1215 | Free-machining steel — fastest to machine with an excellent finish; not for welding | High-volume turned parts, fittings, screws, spacers |
| 42CrMo4 | 1.7225 · AISI 4140 | Quenched & tempered alloy steel: high strength and toughness | Heavily loaded shafts, gears, tooling, bolts |
| 16MnCr5 | 1.7131 · AISI 5115 | Case-hardening steel: hard, wear-resistant surface with a tough core | Gears, cams, pins, bushings |
| 1.2379 tool steel On request | X153CrMoV12 · AISI D2 | Cold-work tool steel; very high wear resistance once hardened (machined soft, then hardened) | Punches, dies, cutting and wear parts |
Stainless steels
CNCCorrosion-resistant and hygienic. Choose the grade by environment: 303 for machinability, 304 for general use, 316L for chlorides and chemicals.
| Material | Designations | Properties | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 303 | 1.4305 · X8CrNiS18-9 | Free-machining austenitic stainless — easiest to machine, slightly lower corrosion resistance | Turned parts, fittings, shafts, fasteners |
| 304 / 304L | 1.4301 / 1.4307 · X5CrNi18-10 | General-purpose stainless with good corrosion resistance; 304L for welding | Food & beverage equipment, enclosures, brackets |
| 316L | 1.4404 · X2CrNiMo17-12-2 | Molybdenum-alloyed: superior resistance to chlorides, acids and seawater | Marine, medical, pharma and chemical parts |
| 17-4 PH | 1.4542 · X5CrNiCuNb16-4 · AISI 630 | Precipitation-hardening: high strength combined with good corrosion resistance | Aerospace, valves, pump shafts, tooling |
| 420 | 1.4021 · X20Cr13 | Martensitic, hardenable stainless; moderate corrosion resistance | Cutting tools, surgical instruments, valve and wear parts |
Brass, copper & bronze
CNCExcellent conductivity and machinability, with natural corrosion resistance.
| Material | Designations | Properties | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brass CW614N On request | CuZn39Pb3 · C38500 | Free-machining brass: machines very fast, good corrosion resistance, decorative finish | Fittings, valves, connectors, bushings |
| Copper Cu-ETP On request | CW004A · C11000 | Highest electrical and thermal conductivity; soft and gummy to machine | Busbars, electrical contacts, heat sinks |
| Phosphor bronze CuSn8 On request | CW453K · C52100 | Excellent wear and bearing properties, corrosion resistant | Bushings, bearings, wear plates, springs |
Titanium
CNCThe best strength-to-weight ratio of any common metal, biocompatible and highly corrosion resistant.
| Material | Designations | Properties | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titanium Grade 2 On request | 3.7035 · CP titanium | Commercially pure: excellent corrosion resistance, good formability | Chemical, marine and medical parts |
| Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) On request | 3.7165 | High strength-to-weight, heat resistant, biocompatible | Aerospace, motorsport, medical tools |
Engineering plastics (machined)
CNCLight, self-lubricating, chemically resistant and electrically insulating. Machined plastics behave like the real production material — unlike most 3D prints.
| Material | Designations | Properties | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| POM-C (acetal) | e.g. Delrin® (POM-H), Tecaform®, Ertacetal® | Stiff, low friction, dimensionally stable, low moisture uptake | Gears, bushings, rollers, precision mechanical parts |
| PA6 / PA66 (nylon) | incl. cast PA6G · e.g. Ertalon® | Tough, wear-resistant, vibration damping; absorbs moisture (dimensions change) | Wear pads, gears, sheaves, guides |
| PE-UHMW (PE-1000) | Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene | Extreme abrasion resistance, very low friction, impact resistant | Wear strips, chain guides, conveyor and chute parts |
| PE-HD (PE-300) | High-density polyethylene | Tough, chemical resistant, food-grade options, low cost | Cutting boards, tanks, fixtures, food machinery |
| PP (polypropylene) | PP-H homopolymer | Excellent chemical resistance, light, weldable | Chemical tanks, manifolds, lab equipment |
| PTFE | e.g. Teflon® | Lowest friction of any solid, chemically inert, usable to ~260 °C; soft, can creep | Seals, gaskets, insulators, sliding parts |
| PET-P | e.g. Ertalyte® | Very dimensionally stable, low wear, food-contact grades | Precision parts, food machinery, bearings |
| PC (polycarbonate) | e.g. Lexan®, Makrolon® | Transparent with very high impact strength | Machine guards, covers, windows, fixtures |
| PMMA (acrylic) | e.g. Plexiglas® | Clear and can be polished to optical clarity; more brittle than PC | Display parts, light guides, see-through covers |
| PEEK On request | e.g. Victrex®, Ketron® | High-performance polymer: strong, usable to ~250 °C, chemical resistant, medical grades | Aerospace, medical, semiconductor, oil & gas parts |
FDM 3D printing
FDMThermoplastic filaments printed layer by layer: the fastest and most economical way to get functional plastic parts.
| Material | Designations | Properties | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Polylactic acid | Easy to print, stiff, fine detail; low heat resistance (~55 °C) | Concept models, visual prototypes, light-duty jigs |
| PETG | Glycol-modified PET | Tough, slightly flexible, moisture and chemical resistant (~70 °C) | Functional prototypes, enclosures, brackets |
| ABS | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene | Impact resistant, ~95 °C heat resistance, easy to sand and paint | Housings, automotive interior parts, end-use parts |
| ASA | Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate | Like ABS with UV and weather resistance | Outdoor parts, exterior housings, signage |
| TPU 95A On request | Thermoplastic polyurethane | Flexible and rubber-like, abrasion resistant | Seals, gaskets, grips, bumpers |
| PA-CF On request | Carbon-fibre reinforced nylon | Stiff, strong and heat resistant with a matte finish | Jigs, fixtures, brackets, end-of-arm tooling |
SLA 3D printing (resins)
SLALaser-cured photopolymers for the finest detail and smoothest surfaces of any 3D printing process.
| Material | Designations | Properties | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard resin | Grey / black photopolymer | Very fine detail and smooth surface; rigid but brittle | Visual prototypes, models, small precise parts |
| Tough resin On request | ABS-like photopolymer | Higher impact strength and elongation; good for snap-fits | Functional prototypes, snap-fit assemblies |
| Clear resin On request | Transparent photopolymer | Transparent after sanding and polishing or clear coating | Fluidics, light pipes, see-through models |
Materials marked “On request” are sourced per order — lead times may be slightly longer.
Surface finishes
Finishes and post-processing
As machined
Standard finish, typically Ra 3.2 µm, deburred with light tool marks.
Bead / sand blasting
Uniform matte texture that hides tool marks; often used before anodising.
Anodising (Type II)
Clear, black or coloured oxide layer on aluminium for corrosion protection and looks.
Hard anodising (Type III)On request
Thick, very hard oxide layer for wear-resistant aluminium parts.
Powder coating
Durable coloured coating for steel and aluminium parts.
Zinc platingOn request
Corrosion protection for carbon steel parts (clear or yellow passivation).
Black oxideOn request
Thin black conversion coating for steel with mild corrosion resistance.
PassivationOn request
Restores the corrosion resistance of stainless steel after machining.
PolishingOn request
Smooth, glossy surface for cosmetic or sealing faces.
3D print finishingOn request
Support removal, sanding, priming and painting of FDM and SLA parts.
FAQ
Materials FAQ
6061, 6082 or 7075 aluminium — which should I choose?
6061 and 6082 are the all-rounders: easy to machine, weldable and great for anodising (6082 is the more common EN-standard grade). Choose 7075 when you need maximum strength and stiffness and don’t need to weld.
303, 304 or 316L stainless steel?
303 machines most easily and suits turned parts that won’t be welded. 304 is the general-purpose grade. 316L contains molybdenum for much better resistance to chlorides, seawater and chemicals — the usual choice for marine, medical and food-processing parts.
Which plastic is best for gears, bushings and sliding parts?
POM-C (acetal) is the usual choice thanks to low friction, stiffness and dimensional stability. PA (nylon) is tougher and damps better but absorbs moisture. For high abrasion, use PE-UHMW; for high temperature or chemicals, PEEK.
Should I machine or 3D print a plastic part?
Machined plastics have the full, uniform properties of the stock material and tight tolerances — ideal for functional and production parts. 3D printing is faster and cheaper for complex shapes, prototypes and low quantities.
Can you supply material certificates?
Yes. Mill certificates (typically EN 10204 3.1) are available on request — please ask when you order.
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