- Sales@tenghui-proto.com
- +86-18666887162
Skip to content Custom steel components for industrial machinery, automation equipment, fixtures, and mechanical assemblies. TENGHUI provides in-house CNC milling and turning, supported by sheet metal fabrication and coordinated heat treatment and surface finishing.
From prototypes to repeat production, we review material condition, critical dimensions, and finishing requirements to plan a suitable manufacturing process.
Choose a steel grade based on strength, wear resistance, weldability, machining requirements, and operating conditions. Material specifications and supply conditions should be confirmed before production.
| Material Grade | Common Manufacturing Processes | Key Characteristics & Selection Notes | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1018 Low-Carbon Steel | CNC milling, turning, and selected fabrication processes | A practical option for general mechanical components. Machining performance and mechanical properties depend on whether the stock is hot rolled, cold drawn, or otherwise processed. | Spacers, pins, bushings, mounting components, and general machined parts |
| ASTM A36 / Q235 Structural Steel Options | Cutting, drilling, bending, welding, and machining | Common choices for fabricated structures and equipment parts. A36 and Q235 follow different standards and should not be treated as automatic substitutes. Grade, thickness, and forming requirements require confirmation. | Frames, base plates, mounting brackets, supports, and weldments |
| 1045 Medium-Carbon Steel | CNC machining with optional heat treatment | Offers options for shafts and mechanical parts requiring greater strength or wear resistance than low-carbon steel. Quench-and-temper or induction-hardening requirements should be specified where applicable. | Shafts, pins, rollers, couplings, and mechanical components |
| 4140 Chromium-Molybdenum Alloy Steel | CNC machining in a specified supply condition, with optional heat treatment | Suitable for mechanically loaded components. Properties and machining requirements depend on whether the material is annealed, prehardened, or heat treated after machining. | Drive shafts, tooling components, high-load pins, and machine parts |
| 8620 Case-Hardening Alloy Steel | CNC machining followed by specified case-hardening treatment | Commonly selected for carburized components requiring a hard, wear-resistant surface and a tougher core. Case depth, hardness, and final dimensions must be defined. | Gears, pinions, bushings, and transmission components |
| D2 / A2 Cold-Work Tool Steel Options | CNC machining with specified hardening and finishing operations | D2 generally emphasizes abrasive wear resistance, while A2 offers a different balance of wear resistance and toughness. They are separate grades and are not interchangeable. | Dies, cutting tools, wear inserts, and tooling components |
*Material availability, product form, and processing routes are confirmed during quotation. Cross-standard alternatives, such as C45 or 42CrMo, require review against the drawing specification and customer approval before substitution.
The comparison below provides general selection guidance. Strength, hardness, and machinability depend on the material condition, section size, and processing history.
| Selection Factor | 1018 / Structural Low-Carbon Steel | 1045 | 4140 | D2 / A2 Tool Steels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Selection Reason | General machined or fabricated components | Mechanical parts requiring specified strength or surface hardening | Loaded components requiring a defined strength and toughness balance | Tooling and wear-resistant components |
| Material Condition to Confirm | Grade, product form, and hot-rolled or cold-drawn condition | As-supplied, normalized, or heat-treated condition | Annealed, prehardened, or other specified heat-treated condition | Annealed supply condition and required final hardness |
| Machining Considerations | Surface condition, chip control, and residual stress | Cutting parameters depend on hardness and condition | Tooling and machining sequence depend on hardness | Hardened parts may require grinding, EDM, or other evaluated finishing |
| Welding Considerations | Often suitable with an appropriate procedure | Requires additional assessment | Requires additional assessment and suitable procedures | Generally not selected for routine welded structures |
| Heat Treatment Direction | Case hardening may be considered for suitable grades | Quenching and tempering or localized hardening | Quenching and tempering; selected surface treatments | Grade-specific hardening and tempering |
| Key Design Consideration | Flatness, forming, welding, and corrosion protection | Strength, wear, and distortion control | Final properties, section size, and finishing sequence | Wear resistance, toughness, cracking risk, and final dimensions |
Heat treatment and protective finishing serve different purposes. Heat treatment can adjust hardness, strength, or wear resistance, while coatings and rust-preventive treatments help protect exposed surfaces. TENGHUI coordinates these requirements with machining and final inspection. Process availability and acceptance criteria are confirmed during quotation.
Parts retain visible machining marks without an additional decorative coating. Where compatible with the application, rust-preventive oil or suitable packaging can help protect bare steel during storage and transport.
Black oxide creates a dark conversion finish with relatively little dimensional effect. It is commonly combined with oil, wax, or another suitable seal to provide limited corrosion protection.
Zinc electroplating provides sacrificial corrosion protection for steel components. Appearance and performance depend on coating thickness, passivation, sealing, and exposure conditions.
Suitable medium-carbon and alloy steels can be quenched and tempered to achieve a specified balance of hardness, strength, and toughness.
Carburizing increases carbon content near the surface of suitable steels. Subsequent hardening and tempering produce a wear-resistant case while retaining a tougher core.
These treatments can improve surface hardness and wear performance with relatively low distortion compared with conventional hardening processes.
Powder coating provides a colored protective finish for suitable fabricated and machined steel components.
Carbon and alloy steels offer a broad range of strength, hardness, fabrication, and cost options. Selecting the right grade and condition helps balance component performance with manufacturing requirements.
Low-carbon steel is often suitable for general brackets, plates, fabricated structures, and lightly loaded mechanical components.
Medium-carbon or alloy steels may be considered when the design requires specified strength, wear resistance, or heat treatment. Selection should account for loads, section size, welding, operating environment, and total manufacturing cost.
Include the required grade and condition on your drawing. Similar grades from different standards should not be substituted without review and approval.
Temporary rust-preventive oil and suitable packaging can help protect compatible bare parts during transport and storage.
For service use, the protective finish should match the environment. Black oxide, zinc plating, and powder coating provide different levels and types of protection; no single finish is suitable for every application.
Please specify exposure conditions, cosmetic requirements, and any corrosion testing needed.
Yes, subject to review of the material, hardness, geometry, and required dimensions.
A suitable process may include rough machining, heat treatment, and subsequent finishing. Grinding, hard machining, or other operations are evaluated where required rather than assumed for every part.
Selected CNC-machined features can achieve tolerances as tight as ±0.01 mm, subject to engineering review. Tighter requirements are assessed individually, including inspection capability and dimensions after heat treatment.
The choice depends on the steel grade, required surface properties, core properties, geometry, and allowable distortion.
Carburizing is commonly considered for suitable low-carbon steels requiring a hardened case. Induction hardening can selectively harden suitable steel surfaces. Nitriding may be considered where surface hardness and relatively low distortion are priorities.
Specify the required hardness, treatment depth, treated areas, and applicable acceptance criteria so a suitable route can be reviewed.
Straightforward CNC prototypes can often be completed in approximately 3–7 working days. Medium and larger production orders commonly require around 15–20 working days.
Material availability, heat treatment, surface finishing, and inspection can extend the schedule. Welded assemblies and parts requiring finishing after hardening are reviewed separately.
We confirm the delivery plan after reviewing your files and order requirements.
Please provide:
For welded assemblies, include weld details and requirements for final dimensions, flatness, cleaning, and inspection.
Upload your 2D drawings (PDF/DWG/DXF) and 3D CAD files (STEP/IGES). We evaluate part geometry, materials, and tolerances within 24 hours.
Once we receive your design files, our senior manufacturing engineers will manually perform a comprehensive DFM review and deliver an accurate, optimized quote within 24 hours.
