If you’re in the field of CNC machining, you must be familiar with aluminum alloy material. It’s an essential material that you need to know about and work with if you want to succeed in the industry. Aluminum alloys have been widely used for years because they’re lightweight, strong, and resistant to corrosion. They’re also easy to machine, which makes them a popular choice for many industries.
In this article, we’ll explore the importance of aluminum alloy material in CNC machining and why you must be familiar with it. We’ll discuss the characteristics of aluminum alloy, its advantages, and the different types of aluminum that are commonly used in the industry. We’ll also outline the best practices for CNC machining of aluminum alloy material, and tips for successfully working with it.
Aluminum Alloy Characteristics
Aluminum is very malleable and malleable, which makes it widely used. Its malleability allows it to be made into aluminum foil, and its malleability allows it to be drawn into rods and wires.
Aluminum is also highly resistant to corrosion, and when exposed to air it naturally forms an oxide film that prevents corrosion of the metal. This oxidation can also be induced by synthesis to provide stronger element protection. Aluminum’s natural protective coating makes it more resistant to corrosion than carbon steel, but it is no match for the chromium content of stainless steel. In addition, aluminum is a good conductor of heat and electricity, superior to carbon and stainless steel in both areas.
It is faster and easier to process than steel, and its strength-to-weight ratio makes it ideal for many applications that require strong, rigid materials. Aluminum is also well recycled, with energy savings of up to 95 percent compared to the energy required to produce primary aluminum.
Compared with steel, aluminum has some disadvantages. It is not as hard as steel and is not suitable for bearing parts with high impact force or extremely high bearing capacity. Aluminum also has a much lower melting point (660 ° C compared to steel, which has a lower melting point of about 1400 ° C), so it cannot be used in high-temperature environments. It also has a high coefficient of thermal expansion, so if it becomes too hot during machining, it will deform and have difficulty maintaining tight tolerances.
Aluminium alloy
The aluminum used in CNC machining is not pure aluminum, it always contains a small amount of alloying elements. Standard aluminium still contains 99 to 99.6 per cent aluminium (the element) by weight, with the remaining percentage made up of common materials such as silicon, manganese, magnesium, copper and zinc.
An infinite number of aluminium alloys can be made by slightly adjusting the alloying element content. These common aluminum alloys are classified into 9 series by the main alloying element, and each series has some common properties. For example, 3000, 4000, 5000 series of aluminum alloy can not be heat treated, but the use of cold processing, that is, the so-called work hardening.
Aluminum alloys are a mixture of aluminum and other metals, such as zinc, copper, magnesium, and silicon. The mixture enhances the properties of aluminum and produces a material that’s stronger, more durable, and easier to work with than pure aluminum.
The characteristics of aluminum alloy material include:
- Lightweight: Aluminum alloys are approximately one third the weight of steel. They’re ideal for applications that require lightweight materials, such as aerospace and automotive industries.
- Corrosion-resistant: Aluminum alloys have a natural oxide layer that protects them from corrosion in most environments. This makes them ideal for use in marine environments and other outdoor applications.
- High strength-to-weight ratio: Aluminum alloys have an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, which makes them ideal for load-bearing applications.
- Easy to machine: Aluminum alloys are easy to machine because they have low melting points and are not as hard as other metals, which makes them an excellent choice for CNC machining.
Advantages of Aluminum Alloy Material
The advantages of aluminum alloy material include:
- Reduced weight: The reduced weight of aluminum alloys offers significant benefits in transportation industries such as aerospace and automotive industries.
- Cost-effective: Aluminum is a cost-effective material, with a lower cost than other metals like copper and titanium.
- High strength: Aluminum alloys have high strength and stiffness which make them ideal for load-bearing applications.
- Good ductility: Aluminum alloys have good ductility which makes them ideal for applications that require bending and forming.
cNC machining mainly aluminum brand
As a CNC machining manufacturer specializing in aluminum parts, we know that choosing the right brand is essential for the success of any project. With a myriad of options available, it can be challenging to determine the best one for your specific needs.
1000 series
In all series 1000 series belongs to a series containing the most aluminum, the purity can reach more than 99.00%. Because it does not contain other metal elements, the production process is relatively simple and the price is relatively cheap. It is the most commonly used series in conventional industry at present. Currently, most of the 1050s and 1060s are in circulation in the market.
2000 series
The representative models of the 2000 series aluminum alloy are 2024, 2A16 (LY16) and 2A02 (LY6). Series 2000 aluminum is characterized by a high hardness, with the highest content of copper at about 3-5%. Manganese, magnesium, lead and bismuth are also added for cutting properties. 2000 series aluminum belongs to aviation aluminum, is not often used in conventional industry.
3000 series
3000 series aluminum alloy representative models for 3003, 3A21 mainly. The production technology of 3000 series aluminum plate is excellent. 3000 series aluminum rod is mainly composed of manganese element with content between 1.0-1.5, which is a series with good rust prevention function. Aluminum 3004 also contains magnesium, which is commonly used in aluminum beverage cans.
4000 series
The representative model of 4000 series aluminum alloy is 4A01. 4000 series aluminum plate belongs to the series with high silicon content, usually between 4.5-6.0% silicon content, belongs to construction materials, mechanical parts forging materials, welding materials, with low melting point, good corrosion resistance and other characteristics. 4043 aluminum is used as a filler rod material for welding 6000 series aluminum alloys, while 4047 aluminum is used as sheet and cladding in construction.
5000 series
5000 series aluminum alloy representative models are 5052, 5005, 5083, 5A05. 5000 series aluminum main element is magnesium, magnesium content between 3-5%, can also be called aluminum magnesium alloy. 5000 series aluminum plate belongs to one of the more mature aluminum plate series in China. Its main characteristics are low density, high tensile strength, high elongation, good fatigue strength, but it can not be strengthened by heat treatment. Under the same area, the weight of Al-Mg alloy is lower than other series, and it is widely used in conventional industry.
6000 series
The representative model of 6000 series aluminum alloy is 6061. Series 6000 mainly contains magnesium and silicon, which are usually easy to work with and can be precipitated and hardened. For example, 6061 is a cold treatment aluminum forging product, suitable for corrosion resistance, oxidation requirements of high applications.
7000 series
7000 series aluminum alloy representative model 7075. 7000 series belongs to the aviation series, mainly containing zinc elements, at the same time containing copper, chromium and magnesium, can be hardened by precipitation to become the strongest of all aluminum alloys, belonging to the super dural alloy, has good wear resistance and good weldability, but poor corrosion resistance.
8000 series
The 8000 series is a general term for aluminum alloys that do not belong to any other category. For example, 8176 aluminum contains 0.6 percent iron and 0.1 percent silicon by weight and is used to make electrical wires.
The 8000 series is a general term for aluminum alloys that do not fall into this category. These alloys can contain many other elements, such as iron and lithium. For example, 8176 aluminum contains 0.6 percent iron and 0.1 percent silicon by weight and is often used to make electrical wires.
9000 series
9000 series aluminum alloy is spare alloy.
Types of Aluminum Used in CNC Machining
Different types of aluminum alloys are used in CNC machining, and each has unique properties that make them desirable for different applications.
The most commonly used aluminum in CNC machining are:
- 6061: 6061 aluminum alloy is the most commonly used aluminum for CNC machining. It has excellent strength and corrosion resistance and is easy to machine.
- 2024: 2024 is the second most commonly used aluminum alloy in CNC machining. It’s a more complex material than 6061, but it offers greater strength and good fatigue resistance.
- 7075: 7075 aluminum alloy is the strongest aluminum alloy used in CNC machining. It has excellent strength-to-weight ratio and fatigue resistance, but it’s harder to machine than other aluminum alloys.
Best Practices for CNC Machining Aluminum Alloy Material
Here are the best practices for CNC machining aluminum alloys:
- Use high-speed cutting tools with appropriate coatings.
- Use coolant to keep the cutting tool cool and reduce heat buildup.
- Use small tools to avoid excessive stress on the material.
- Use low cutting forces to avoid warping or distortion of the material.
- Use proper fixturing and workholding to avoid vibration or movement during machining.
- Maintain consistent cutting conditions to avoid damage to the tool and the material.
Conclusion
In summary, if you’re in the field of CNC machining, you must be familiar with aluminum alloy material. It’s a versatile material that offers numerous benefits for a wide range of industries. By understanding the characteristics and advantages of aluminum alloy material, you can make the most of its properties in your CNC machining work. By following the best practices for CNC machining aluminum alloys, you can ensure that you produce high-quality parts and accomplish your goals effectively and efficiently.
