MATERIALS

We work with a wide array of materials and stock a lot of materials in our inventory which cuts down on lead times. Below is a detailed list of materials and descriptions of material we either have on hand or generally work with.

materials

Aluminum

  • 6061 – The most commonly used aluminum because of its machinability and weldability.
  • 6063 – Known as the architectural aluminum. Has a smooth surface finish, and is excellent for anodizing.
  • 5052 – Great for forming and bending operations and has great weldability.
  • MIC-6 – Has excellent stability which makes it great for extensive machining, due to its structure and stress relieving properties.
  • 2024 – Very strong, with copper as its main alloy making it resistant to corrosion.
  • 7075 – Has the highest strength rating of aluminum alloys. Good for welding, machining, and anodizing.

Stainless Steel

  • 303 – Easy to machine, but isn’t good for welding. Corrosive resistant, but weaker than 304.
  • 304 – The most commonly used stainless due to all of its well-rounded qualities such as weldability, machinability, corrosive resistant, and good strength.
  • 316 – Known as marine grade stainless, 316 has the same qualities as 304, but has far superior corrosion resistance.
  • 410 – Has all the qualities of stainless, and is a great option for heat treatment for more strength.
  • 420 – High carbon content, and can be heat treated for hardness second to 440C stainless, and is great for polishing and grinding.
  • 430 –Is a non-hardenable steel containing straight chromium giving it great formability, along with good corrosion resistance.
  • 440 – Is a very high carbon steel which attains the hardest hardness, wear resistance, and strength of all stainless grades after heat treatment.
  • 17-4 –All around outstanding combination of strength, corrosion resistance, heat treatment, weldability, and machinability. Extremely reliable.

Steel

  • 1018 – The most commonly used cold rolled steel, and has a smother finish than most steel.
  • 1020 – Great for welding and machining, but not good for heat treating.
  • 1045 – Commonly used for shafting and cylinders. Has good heat treating response.
  • 12L14 – Is known as free machining steel for its excellent machinability due to high lead content, which makes it a weaker strength steel.
  • 4140 – Versatile, good corrosion resistance and is known for its wear resistance. Great for heat treating.
  • 4340 – Similar to 4140, but has higher heat treat numbers making it a lot stronger. Has great fatigue strength.
  • 8620 – The most widely used heat treated alloy, and has great surface hardness at a low cost.
  • A36 – The most available hot rolled steel, and has a rough surface. Good for welding, machining, and bending.
  • A572 – High yield and tensile strength, and easy to form. Widely used on bridges, and structural applications.
  • AR400 – Used for high impact applications due to its abrasion resistance, and wear resistance.
  • AR500 – Similar to AR400, but with even stronger abrasion resistance.

Tool Steel

  • D2 – Extremely versatile, with a high attainable hardness. Resistant to wear from contact of other metals.
  • A2 – Good combination of strength and toughness, and generally stays dimensionally sound after heat treat.
  • M2 – Known as high speed steel, that’s food for making drills, taps, cutters, saws, and knives.

Other Metals

  • Copper – Easy to machine and widely known for heat conductivity and electrical conductivity along with plumbing and roofing.
  • Brass –Has decent strength and electrical conductivity. Easy to polish and machine, and can be used for thousands of different applications.
  • Bronze – Copper based with a tin additive that has toughness, strength, corrosion resistant, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity.

Plastic

  • ABS – Can be melted to a liquid and used for injection molds. It is resistant to corrosive chemicals, and physical impacts. It’s also used in our 3D printer.
  • Acetal/Delrin -Provides high strength and stiffness coupled with enhanced dimensional stability and ease of machining.
  • Acrylic – Lightweight, rigid, and weather resistant thermoplastic.
  • HDPE -One of the most widely used plastics, HDPE is very versatile, lightweight, and has incredible strength.
  • Nylon –Nylon has a wide application for bearings, bushings, seals, and washers due to it lubricated properties. It is also resistant to wear and abrasions.
  • PEEK –Tough, strong, rigid, and can sustain extremely high temperatures due to its flammability rating.
  • Polycarbonate –Mostly known to be used for bullet-proof glass, it comes naturally transparent and is the most impact resistant of all plastics.
  • Polyethylene –Lightweight, versatile synthetic resin that can be modified to take on elastic properties.
  • Polypropylene –A very durable plastic that has a high melting point, doesn’t break down when in contact of acids, and is resistant to stress.
  • PTFE –Also known as Teflon, PTFE is chemical resistant, weatherable, and is great for electrical insulation.
  • PVC –Widely used in pipes, and comes in two natural forms: Rigid and flexible, and is considered the softest of plastics.
  • Ultem –Is an amber transparent high performance polymer which combines high strength at elevated temps with long term heat resistance while holding dimensionally sound.