Aluminum is a lightweight and highly conductive metal that has a wide range of applications in the manufacturing industry. As a result, CNC machined aluminum parts are extensively used in the electrical, automotive, and aerospace industries. However, due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, it is difficult to machine aluminum alloys with traditional machining techniques.
One of the most commonly used methods for machining aluminum alloys is CNC machining. CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control and refers to computerized machines that are controlled by numerical commands rather than manually operated by humans. It is a rapidly evolving manufacturing process. Over the years it has become more popular due to its ease of use and capability to work on many different materials. One of the more popular materials for CNC machining is aluminum. This blog will attempt to shine a light on the various uses of aluminum to meet the needs of modern industry.
Why CNC machined aluminum parts are frequently used?
Aluminum is a popular choice among manufacturers due to the numerous advantages it brings. Aluminum is a robust, lightweight, and easily machinable material that makes him suitable for CNC machining parts. It is also corrosion resistant and has high heat resistance, making it suitable for usage in a variety of industries. Aerospace, automotive, construction, and manufacturing are just a few of the industries that use CNC machined aluminum parts. Aluminum is frequently chosen for customized parts manufacturing over other expensive materials such as steel or titanium. Aluminum has some outstanding properties that make him one of the most popular materials in the market which are discussed below.
Machinability:
Highly favorable machining ability is the most important aspect of aluminum and its alloys. It is easy to shape, cut, and favorable for Complex designs. as it is a soft material metallic chips formation is quite easy to remove even during high-speed machining, this makes the machining time very less as compared to steel and Titanium this is the main aspect of aluminum which reduces the overall product cost. secondly, it is soft and has a good strength to weight ratio. Due to these properties, it gives smoother machining cut and prevents tool damage during machining operations. These properties able the Machinist to ensure high tolerance and precision which is up to 0.0025mm.
Conductivity:
One of the most important aspects of aluminum and its alloys is its conductivity. aluminum is a highly conductive material that ranges up to 37 siemens at room temperature. this conductivity range is better than other alloys like Copper Steel Brass and Titanium. affordability and high conductivity make him ideal to be used in electronic components devices and for other manufacturing purposes. when we are dealing with the lawyers the conductivity may be compromised but it’s still better than other components in this price range.
High strength to weight ratio:
A good strength-to-weight ratio is crucial for industries specifically like Aerospace automobile and medical industries. Engineers have to design Complex parts in these industries with material that shows good strength and have lightweight. this weight and strength comparison is known as the strength to weight ratio which is ideal for the case of aluminum. As aluminum parts are light in weight specifically in comparison with steel which is heavier and needs more time to be machined.
Best aluminum alloys for CNC machining:
Because of the aforementioned characteristics, aluminum is the second most commonly used material in the CNC machining industry after steel. Additional material was added to improve its qualities and make it more machinable and durable. The most often used aluminum is discussed in further detail in this article; they offer exceptional properties that will make your product more durable, robust, and long-lasting.
Aluminum 5052:
Aluminum alloy 5052 typically has 2.5% magnesium and 0.25% chromium. Aluminum 5052 has excellent workability, high fatigue strength, formability, weldability, and corrosion resistance, particularly in marine environments. Furthermore, this alloy has low tensile strength and have excellent strength to weight ratio. It has a low coefficient of thermal expansion and is resistant to corrosion and oxidation, just like other aluminum. This embodiment is ideal for cutting any type of metal.
If you are looking for an aluminum alloy that will give you the best results for cnc machined aluminum parts, then you should consider 5052 aluminum. This alloy has all the properties you need to get the job done right.
Mechanical and Thermal Properties:
|
Mechanical and Thermal Properties |
|
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 228 MPa |
| Yield Point | 193 MPa |
| Modulus of elasticity | 10.2 x 106 |
| Specific Heat, Btu/lb ˚F | 0.21 |
| Thermal Conductivity, Btu/ft hr ˚F | 80 |
| Hardness Brinell | 60 |
| Density | 0.0968 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, 68-212˚F, /˚F | 13.2 x 10-6 |
Aluminum 6061:
Aluminum 6061 is a new generation aluminum alloy. It is also known as “Aluminum 6AL”One of the most common aluminum alloys is 6061-T6 which is a heat-treated alloy that has good strength, corrosion resistance, and weldability properties. This alloy can be machined by CNC milling or turning methods but not by lathe methods because it does not have enough ductility. Aluminum 6061 is used extensively for large-scale production since it is most cost-effective when many pieces are being processed. Aluminum 6061 is a very strong alloy and is typically layered with other metals to make it stronger.
Mechanical and Thermal Properties:
| Mechanical and Thermal Properties | |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 290 MPa |
| Yield Point | 241 MPa |
| Modulus of elasticity | 68.9 GPA |
| Specific Heat, Btu/lb ˚F | 0.896 J/g-°C |
| Thermal Conductivity, Btu/ft hr ˚F | 167 W/m-K |
| Hardness Brinell | 95 |
| Density | 2.7 g/cm3 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, 68-212˚F, /˚F | 13.0 CTE |
Aluminum6082:
Aluminum 6082 is a metal alloy that has a high strength-to-weight ratio. The alloy is made up of aluminum, copper, manganese, and magnesium. The material is used in the aerospace industry for building airplanes and rockets. It is also used in the manufacturing of cars for making hoods and roofs.
Aluminum 6082 is used in practically every industry, from aerospace to guitar strings to your home. It has a wide range of uses and applications, and its best attributes are its strength and lightweight. It is popular for machining applications due to its exceedingly smooth and highly polished finish.
Mechanical and Thermal Properties:
|
Mechanical and thermal Properties |
|
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 290 MPa |
| Yield Point | 250 MPa |
| Modulus of elasticity | 70 GPA |
| Specific Heat, Btu/lb ˚F | 0.21 |
| Thermal Conductivity, Btu/ft hr ˚F | 180 W/m.K |
| Hardness Brinell | 89 HB |
| Density | 2.70 g/cm³ |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, 68-212˚F, /˚F | 13.2 x 10-6 |
Aluminum MIC 6:
Aluminum MIC 6 is a cast aluminum alloy that is known for its strength and durability. MIC 6 cast aluminum alloy, shows. Great dimensional stability and flatness compare two to other heat-treated alloys. As it is a cast product it shows very less internal resistance and stress.
Mic 6 demonstrates excellent machinability while generating intricate designs and good chip removal even at high speeds. Mic-6’s principal alloying element is zinc, which renders its properties. Mic-6 cast plates come with excellent surface finishing, weldability, corrosion resistance, and strength-to-weight ratio.
This material is often used in the aviation and automotive industries due to its ability to withstand high temperatures and stress. MIC 6 is also commonly used in the construction of buildings and bridges.
Mechanical and Thermal Properties:
| Mechanical and Thermal Properties | |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 165 MPa |
| Yield Point | 105 MPa |
| Modulus of elasticity | 71.0 GPA |
| Specific Heat, Btu/lb ˚F | 0.21 |
| Thermal Conductivity, Btu/ft hr ˚F | 985 Btu-in/hr-ft² |
| Hardness Brinell | 65 |
| Density | 2.7 g/cm?3 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, 68-212˚F, /˚F | 13.2 x 10-6 |
Aluminum 7050:
7075 aluminum is an aluminum alloy with zinc as the primary alloying element. The addition of zinc makes this alloy more strong specifically it implies good fatigue strength. While not as corrosion resistant as some other alloys, it is still widely used in a variety of applications due to its strength and other favorable properties. It is available in a variety of tempers, with each temper offering its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
Aluminum 7075 is commonly used in aircraft and bicycle construction. It is an excellent choice for applications where strength and durability are important. The aluminum 7050 has a good balance between strength and corrosion resistance. It is a popular alloy for machining due to its high fatigue threshold and excellent high-temperature properties. The aluminum 7075 is an age-hardening alloy that offers good corrosion resistance with excellent high-temperature properties.
Mechanical and Thermal Properties:
| Mechanical and Thermal Properties | |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 524 MPa |
| Yield Point | 469 MPa |
| Modulus of elasticity | 10400 ksi |
| Specific Heat, Btu/lb ˚F | 0.206 BTU/lb-°F |
| Thermal Conductivity, Btu/ft hr ˚F | 80 |
| Hardness Brinell | 140 |
| Density | 0.102 lb/in³ |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, 68-212˚F, /˚F | 13.2 x 10-6 |
Aluminum7075:
Aluminum7075 is an aluminum alloy that is often used in the aerospace industry. It is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio and its resistance to stress corrosion cracking. It is also used in a variety of other industries, including automotive, marine, and construction.
Aluminum7075 is made up of several different elements, including aluminum, zinc, copper, and magnesium. It is available in a variety of tempers, including T6, which is the most common. If you are looking for an aluminum alloy that is strong and lightweight, Aluminum7075 is a good option. It is also a good choice if you are looking for an alloy that is resistant to stress corrosion cracking.
Mechanical and Thermal Properties:
| Mechanical and Thermal Properties | |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 560 MPa |
| Yield Point | 480 MPa |
| Modulus of elasticity | 70 |
| Specific Heat, Btu/lb ˚F | 870 J/kg-K (0.21 BTU/lb-°F) |
| Thermal Conductivity, Btu/ft hr ˚F | 130 W/m-K (75 BTU/h-ft-°F) |
| Hardness Brinell | 150 |
| Density | 3.0 g/cm3 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, 68-212˚F, /˚F | 13.2 x 10-6 |
Detail comparison of Aluminum Alloys for CNC Machining:
| Aluminum Alloys | Machinability | Tensile-Strength | Corrosion Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 5052 | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Aluminum6061 | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Aluminum6082 | Medium | Good | Good |
| Aluminum MIC 6 | Excellent | Low | Good |
| Aluminum 7050 | Medium | High | Excellent |
| Aluminum7075 | Good | High | Excellent |
Applications of CNC machined aluminum parts:
Aluminum machined parts have a wide range of applications in various industries. The durability of machining, production cost, and high surface finishing are some Core features that make aluminum alloys a component used in the manufacturing industry.
- They are used in the automotive industry for making car components such as engine blocks and transmission parts.
- In the aerospace industry, aluminum machined parts are used to make aircraft parts such as fuselage panels and wing spars.
- In the medical industry, aluminum machined parts are used to make implants and prosthetic devices.
- In the construction industry, aluminum machined parts are used to make doors, windows, and other components.
- Due to the high conductivity of aluminum alloys, it is mostly used in electronic components and appliances.
- Aluminum alloys have a wide range of applications in hitch machinery, mostly Complex parts manufacturing machinery, cement plants, Coal power plants, and related industry.
- in the medical industry, the medical machines are made by considering their light weight and durability these alloys fulfill these requirements and have great usage in the medical industry.
- CNC machined aluminum parts are widely used in Rockets and space crafts, this is due to their strength-to-weight ratio.
If you are still uncertain about which service or which CNC machining aluminum parts factory to choose for your product development, feel free to contact us at any time, at Teng-hui our experienced Engineers and Machinists are always available for consultation on your queries. You will receive services based on your requirements and preferred material for any form of custom or intricate design.
Tenghui is a reliable CNC service provider in China, we are having thousands of satisfied global clients, and thanks to our experienced engineers and machinist we are delivering products with up to 0.01 mm of tolerance. We believe in quality and trust; our experienced staff will evaluate all possibilities and deliver the project with a 100 % guarantee. We will always stand behind our products to ensure 100% customer satisfaction even after the project competition. So, if you are looking for a CNC machine shop, tenghui-proto is an intelligent choice for perfection and durability.