METALS & ENGINEERING PLASTICS
CNC Machining Materials for Custom Parts
SYD Precision machines a broad range of metals and engineering plastics for custom milled and turned parts. Use this material center to identify a starting point, then send the exact grade, condition, standard, drawing and quantity for manufacturing review. Material availability, certification, finish compatibility and dimensional requirements are confirmed with the quotation.
Browse CNC Machining Materials
Aluminum · Stainless steel · Carbon, alloy and tool steel · Copper, brass and bronze · Titanium · Engineering plastics
| Material family | Grades and materials we machine | Quotation details to provide |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 2024, 5052, 5083, 6061, 6063, 6082, 7075, MIC6 | Exact alloy, temper or condition, finish, critical features and certification needs. |
| Stainless steel | 303, 304/304L, 316/316L, 410, 420, 440C, 17-4PH | Grade, condition or heat treatment, corrosion requirement, finish and inspection scope. |
| Carbon, alloy and tool steel | Q235, 45# steel, 40Cr, 1018, 1045, 4130, 4140, 4340, P20, D2 | Applicable standard, supplied condition, heat treatment, hardness and surface requirement. |
| Copper alloys | Red copper, brass, bronze, C110, C360 | Exact alloy designation, conductivity or mechanical requirement, cosmetic surfaces and finish. |
| Titanium | TA2 / Grade 2, TC4 / Grade 5 | Applicable national or international standard, material condition, traceability and inspection needs. |
| Engineering plastics | POM, ABS, nylon, PC, acrylic, PEEK, PTFE, PVC, PE, PP | Exact resin grade, color, fillers, operating environment and dimensional stability requirements. |
Important: Similar material names across GB, ASTM, AISI, EN, JIS and other systems are not treated as automatically interchangeable. State the governing standard and approve any proposed substitution before production.
LIGHTWEIGHT METALS
Aluminum CNC Machining
We machine 2024, 5052, 5083, 6061, 6063, 6082, 7075 and MIC6 aluminum. Selection depends on the required strength, corrosion environment, dimensional stability, stock form, finish and applicable material standard.
General and structural grades
6061, 6063 and 6082 are commonly considered for custom housings, brackets, plates and structural components. 5052 and 5083 may be selected where their material characteristics suit the drawing and service environment.
Higher-strength and tooling options
2024 and 7075 are reviewed for higher-strength applications. MIC6 can be considered for tooling plate and dimensionally stable plate applications. Exact temper, flatness and finish requirements must be stated.
Review our aluminum CNC machining service and 6061 vs 7075 guide.
CORROSION-RESISTANT METALS
Stainless Steel CNC Machining
Available stainless steel grades include 303, 304/304L, 316/316L, 410, 420, 440C and 17-4PH. The correct grade depends on corrosion exposure, strength, hardness, heat treatment, magnetic behavior, finishing and the governing specification.
Austenitic stainless steels
303, 304/304L and 316/316L are reviewed for different machinability and corrosion requirements. Do not substitute between them without design approval and an agreed material specification.
Martensitic and precipitation-hardening grades
410, 420, 440C and 17-4PH require clear condition, heat treatment or hardness requirements. Geometry, tooling access and inspection planning are reviewed before the manufacturing route is confirmed.
See our stainless steel CNC machining service and 304 vs 316 guide.
CARBON, ALLOY & TOOL STEELS
Steel CNC Machining
We machine Q235, 45# steel, 40Cr, 1018, 1045, 4130, 4140, 4340, P20 and D2. Because these designations can belong to different national standards and delivery conditions, the drawing should state the exact standard, grade, supplied condition and any heat-treatment requirement.
Carbon and alloy steels
Q235, 45# steel, 40Cr, 1018, 1045, 4130, 4140 and 4340 cover different strength, hardenability and manufacturing needs. Heat treatment, hardness and machining stage must be agreed before production.
Tool and mold steels
P20 and D2 are reviewed according to material condition, hardness, geometry, surface requirement and inspection plan. State whether dimensions apply before or after heat treatment and finishing.
Explore steel CNC machining services for grade, heat-treatment and quotation guidance.
COPPER & COPPER ALLOYS
Copper, Brass and Bronze CNC Machining
We machine red copper, brass, bronze, C110 copper and C360 brass. These materials are selected for different electrical, thermal, mechanical, wear and appearance requirements. Provide the exact alloy rather than using only a broad family name.
For conductive components, state the required conductivity, contact surfaces and finish. For visible brass or bronze parts, identify cosmetic zones and acceptable appearance. Thin sections, burr control and deformation-sensitive features require drawing review.
HIGH STRENGTH-TO-WEIGHT
Titanium CNC Machining
We machine TA2 / Grade 2 and TC4 / Grade 5 titanium. The purchase specification should identify the governing standard because designations from different systems are not assumed to be identical. Material condition, traceability, critical features and inspection documents must be included in the quotation request.
Titanium machining requires attention to heat, tool access, workholding and feature stability. Feasibility is reviewed from the complete drawing and model rather than from the material name alone.
ENGINEERING POLYMERS
Plastic CNC Machining
Engineering plastics we machine include POM, ABS, nylon, PC, acrylic, PEEK, PTFE, PVC, PE and PP. Plastic grades can vary significantly by resin formulation, filler, moisture behavior, color, transparency, temperature rating and dimensional stability.
General engineering plastics
POM, ABS, nylon, PC and acrylic are reviewed for custom plates, housings, covers, fixtures and functional components. State color, transparency and cosmetic requirements where applicable.
Performance and low-friction plastics
PEEK, PTFE, PVC, PE and PP are reviewed according to chemical exposure, operating temperature, stiffness, wear and dimensional requirements. Exact grade and fillers must be identified.
Plastic parts may move with temperature, moisture, internal stress and machining heat. Avoid applying metal-part expectations without reviewing the material behavior and measurement conditions.
Surface Finishes Currently Published
| Finish | Applicable review | Information required |
|---|---|---|
| As-machined | Metal and plastic parts where the machining surface is acceptable. | Roughness, cosmetic zones, tool-mark expectations and edge requirements where critical. |
| Black anodizing | Suitable aluminum parts after alloy and finish review. | Specification, color, masking, threaded features and dimensions controlled after treatment. |
| Polishing | Reviewed for specified stainless steel surfaces. | Marked surfaces, appearance or roughness criteria, protected features and inspection stage. |
For any other requested finish, send the exact process, standard, thickness, color, masking and test requirements. Availability is confirmed during quotation and is not assumed from a general finish name.
How to Choose a Starting Material
- Define strength, stiffness and weight needs.
- Identify corrosion, chemical and temperature exposure.
- State electrical, thermal, wear or low-friction requirements.
- Confirm the governing material standard and condition.
- Review finish compatibility and post-treatment dimensions.
- Reserve tight tolerances for functional features.
What to Send for Quotation
- Current 2D drawing and matching 3D model
- Exact material grade, condition and standard
- Quantity and revision
- Critical dimensions, datums, threads and fits
- Surface finish and masking requirements
- Material certificates or inspection documentation required
- Operating environment and destination country
Material Review and Inspection
Material selection does not replace drawing review. Geometry, machining process, workholding, surface treatment and measurement method all affect the final result. Use our CNC machining tolerances and inspection guide, quality page, CNC milling service and CNC turning service to prepare the inquiry.
CNC Machining Material Questions
Can you machine a material that is not shown here?
Send the exact grade, standard, condition, drawing and quantity for review. A material is not offered until sourcing and manufacturing feasibility are confirmed in the quotation.
Can similar grades be substituted?
Only with explicit customer or design-authority approval. Similar names or approximate cross-standard equivalents are not treated as automatic substitutes.
Do you provide material certificates?
State the required certificate, traceability and report format during quotation. Availability and scope must be confirmed for the specific order.
Which material is best for my part?
We can review machining and sourcing implications, but final material selection remains with the customer or responsible design authority.
Send the Exact Material and Drawing
Share the grade, standard, condition, model, drawing, quantity, finish and inspection requirements. We will review the complete manufacturing scope before confirming a quotation.