Steel for CNC Machining
Steel properties vary according to the composition of carbon and some alloying elements.
- Strength and durability: Exceptional robustness and resistance to wear, making it a top choice for demanding applications
- Affordability: Cost-effective option, making it an economical choice compared to other metals
- Weldability: Can be welded easily, which enhances its versatility in manufacturing and construction processes
Available Grades
CNC steel machining involves using a wide variety of grades of carbons and mild steel alloys, each with specific properties and advantages.
Description
Belongs to class of plain low carbon steel with low strength, but high ductility and formability. It has a very high electrical conductivity among wrought carbon or non-alloy steels.
Applications
Automotive
Structural and building
Description
It is a mild/low carbon steel with a good balance of toughness, strength, and ductility. That makes it one of the most common steel grades in this category.
Applications
Gears and automotive components
Industrial
Description
This is a non-alloyed medium carbon engineering steel with moderate tensile strengths.
Applications
Gears
Automotive components
General engineering (bolts, general purpose axles and shafts, keys and studs)
Description
This is a low-alloy steel with high fatigue strength, abrasion and impact resistance, toughness, and torsional strength.
Applications
Automotive (gear, shafts)
Defence
Description
A36 is mild steel or low-carbon steel with good formability, weldability, machinability, and ductility. For reference, the yield strength of A36 is less than that of AISI 1018.
Applications
Gears and automotive components
Industrial
Description
AISI H13 tool steel is characterized by its high heat resistance, high wear resistance, good toughness, thermal conductivity, and hot cracks resistance.
Applications
Hot working dies (forging dies, extrusion dies, injection molding tools)
Description
This is a kind of mild steel with a carbon content of around 0.20%. It’s known for its good balance of strength, plasticity, and welding properties.
Applications
Structural
Benefits of Steel for CNC Machining
Steel is commonly used for low-volume production and prototyping of a wide range of products and parts. Our competencies and capabilities are helping an extensive variety of industries for numerous applications:
- In automotive, for engine components and suspension parts
- Structural components for aerospace
- Beams, columns, and other structural components in construction
- Pumps, valves, and gears in industrial machinery
- For surgical instruments, implants, and other medical devices
Benefits of Steel for CNC Machining
Our Finishes for Steel
Our selection of CNC machined steel parts comes with a variety of finishing options, such as black oxide, zink plating, powder coating, polishing, brushing, and sandblasting.
This oxide-based surface treatment is applicable on ferrous metals to reduce light reflection and slightly increase corrosion and friction resistance. It gives a smooth appearance and black color. It resists bending and does not alter magnetic properties.
These processes involve the deposition of a thin layer of zinc on a metal surface in order to improve its resistance to rust.
Powder coating is similar to liquid spray paint, except that this process uses a dry powder. It improves the resistance to wear and corrosion. The resulting surface is uniform.
This polishing generally involves changing the level of roughness of a surface by various manual, mechanical, or chemical techniques. This can change the dimensional or geometric accuracy of the part.
This type of finishing is a high-level polishing, also known as mirror polishing, that gives the part a smooth, reflective, and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Sand blasting is the high-pressure projection of silica sand on the surface of the workpiece to create a matte surface, including creating aesthetic consistency for plastic and metallic parts.
Our CNC Steel Characteristics
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DFM
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Delivery
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CNC Machining Steel FAQs
Which grades of steel can be machined?
Most grades of steel can be machined, but the ease or difficulty of machining varies depending on the specific grade and its composition. The machinability of steel is often influenced by factors such as carbon content, alloying elements, heat treatment, and microstructure.
What are the benefits of using steel for CNC machining?
Steel is favored in CNC machining due to its inherent strength and durability. The wide array of available steel grades makes it versatile for various applications. Often, steel provides a cost-effective option. Its amenability to heat treatment means properties can be fine-tuned post-machining. Many steel varieties are weld-friendly, making assembly straightforward. A notable advantage is its widespread availability, ensuring easy sourcing and short lead times. Additionally, steel offers diverse finishing possibilities, catering to both functional and aesthetic needs. Modern CNC machines ensure that steel components are consistent in quality. An eco-friendly aspect of steel is its recyclability, which promotes sustainability. Lastly, specific steel grades are chosen for their superior wear resistance in challenging conditions.
Does steel corrode once finished?
Like other metals and alloys, steel can be vulnerable to corrosion. Over time, this can result in a corrosive layer that progressively deteriorates the steel. To safeguard steel against corrosion, surface treatments like galvanizing, black coating, or powder coating can be applied. These protective layers act as a barrier, preventing the steel beneath from coming into contact with oxygen and subsequently preventing corrosion.
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