CNC Machining
Tight tolerances and finishing capabilities, as fast as 2 days.
Sheet Metal
Experience the versatility & cost efficiency with flexible application options.
Injection Molding
Production-grade steel tooling, as fast as weeks.
Die Casting
Create high quality custom mechanicals with precision and accuracy.
3D Printing
FDM, SLS, SLA, PolyJet, MJF technologies.
Compression Molding
Experience lower tooling costs with high-quality durable parts.
Urethane Casting
Production quality parts without the tooling investment.
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Read case studyProcesses
Lead Time
Tolerance
Price
Applications
Alloys
Carbon Steel Types
Finishing Options
A36/1018 Steel is a mild, low carbon steel that is machinable, weldable and useful where high-strength is not required, such as fixtures and mounting plates. It is magnetic and heat treatable.
4140 alloy steel is generally harder and stronger than carbon steel. Additionally, it provides high impact resistance, fatigue strength, and torsional strength, which makes 4140 a great choice for drive shafts, axles, and torsion bars. In terms of hardening, 4140 can be hardened using a variety of methods such as cold working, or heating and quenching.
1045 Carbon Steel is stronger than low carbon steel (1018 Steel) but is easy to machine. It is heat treatable and can be used for bolts, studs and shafts.
4130 Alloy Steel is similar to 4140 Alloy Steel but offers better weldability and has a slightly lower carbon content. It is best suited for gears and other structural applications.
Zinc-Galvanized Low-Carbon Steel has an outer coating of zinc to improve corrosion resistance. It is important to note that the coating will only be present on non-machined areas.
A514 Alloy Steel is a high strength, low alloy steel that is used mainly in structural applications. It is weldable, heat treatable and is best suited for supporting heavy loads.
4340 Alloy Steel is a medium carbon, low alloy steel that is highly useful in environments involving extreme impact, heat, and wear.
12L14 & 1215 are carbon steels that are resulfurized and rephosphorized, which makes them easy to machine. However, they have a comparitively low level of carbon, so they have less strength than other cold-drawn grades of steel.
8620 Steel is a highly wear-resistant material with good strength and toughness properties. It has a low-carbon content, so is an ideal candidate for use in welding applications.
1018 Low Carbon Steel
Yield Strength (tensile)
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
4140 Steel
Yield Strength (tensile)
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
1045 Carbon Steel
Yield Strength (tensile)
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
4130 Steel
Yield Strength (tensile)
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
Zinc-Galvanized Low-Carbon Steel
Yield Strength (tensile)
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
A514 Steel
Yield Strength (tensile)
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
4340 Steel
Yield Strength (tensile)
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
12L14 Carbon Steel
Yield Strength (tensile)
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
Maximum Temp
1215 Carbon Steel
Yield Strength (tensile)
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
Maximum Temp
8620 Steel
Yield Strength (tensile)
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
Maximum Temp
A36 Steel
Yield Strength (tensile)
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
Maximum Temp
The finish of Steel is similar to that of Stainless Steel, generally shiny in appearance and slightly darker than aluminum alloys.
Alloy and carbon steels can be media blasted, or they can be electropolished to a variety of surface finishes.
Min Wall Thickness
Min End Mill Size
Min Drill Size
Max Part Size
Undercuts
Radii : Depth
Cost Saving Tip
To reduce costs, limit the number of part setups, the number of inspection dimensions or tight tolerances, and deep pockets with small radii.
How is CNC machining steel different from other materials?
Steel is a good choice in terms of strength and durability, but its weight is the biggest drawback in comparison to other materials. There are more than 3500 grades of steel to work with and different grades behave differently when being machined. Some types of steel are specifically designed for greater ease when machining. Some steels have high work hardening tendencies and this necessitates the need to keep the machining process moving so there is no unnecessary heat build up. With CNC machining steel it is also important to keep tools sharp.
Advantages of CNC machining steel?
Steel is the workhorse of the industry because of its economical cost, wide availability, ease of processing and good mechanical properties. Most steels have good machinability and weldability and take well to heat treatments. Some are stronger and harder than others but most steels offer a combination of toughness and wear resistance.
What grade of steel is best for machining?
There are 7 grades of steel that are best for machining. The type of parts you need will dictate which grade you choose:
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