Material Library
MATERIAL SELECTION GUIDE
HOW TO USE THIS MATERIAL LIBRARY
EXPLORE MATERIALS
MATERIALS BY MANUFACTURING PROCESS
CNC Machining
Explore metals and engineering plastics commonly used for precision CNC machined components.
Sheet Metal
Compare metals suitable for durable enclosures, brackets, panels, and fabricated components.
Injection Molding
Explore production-grade plastics for molded housings, mechanical components, and consumer products.
3D Printing
Compare materials for prototypes, functional parts, detailed models, and metal additive manufacturing.
MATERIAL LIBRARY
CNC MACHINING MATERIALS
METALS
| Material | Key Properties | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 6061 | Lightweight, good strength, excellent machinability | Enclosures, brackets, structural components |
| Aluminum 7075 | High strength, good fatigue resistance | Aerospace and high-stress parts |
| Stainless Steel 304 | Corrosion resistant, durable | Medical, food-grade, structural parts |
| Stainless Steel 316 | Superior corrosion resistance | Marine, medical, chemical environments |
| Mild Steel | Strong and cost-effective | General structural and industrial parts |
| Brass | Good machinability, corrosion resistance | Fittings, decorative and electrical parts |
| Copper | Excellent thermal and electrical conductivity | Heat sinks, electrical components |
| Titanium | High strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistant | Aerospace, medical, high-performance parts |
PLASTICS
| Material | Key Properties | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Tough, impact resistant, easy to machine | Enclosures, prototypes, consumer parts |
| PC (Polycarbonate) | High impact strength, optional transparency | Covers, guards, optical components |
| POM (Delrin) | Low friction, high dimensional stability | Gears, bushings, precision components |
| Nylon (PA) | Strong, wear resistant | Mechanical and structural parts |
| PEEK | High temperature and chemical resistance | High-performance and demanding applications |
| PTFE | Very low friction, excellent chemical resistance | Seals, insulators, low-friction parts |
FABRICATION MATERIALS
SHEET METAL MATERIALS
METALS
| Material | Key Properties | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Lightweight, corrosion resistant | Enclosures, panels, brackets |
| Stainless Steel | High strength, excellent corrosion resistance | Cabinets, medical and industrial equipment |
| Mild Steel | Strong and economical | Frames, brackets, structural parts |
| Galvanized Steel | Corrosion-resistant coating | Outdoor and industrial enclosures |
| Copper | High electrical and thermal conductivity | Electrical and thermal components |
| Brass | Corrosion resistant with aesthetic appeal | Decorative and functional parts |
MOLDING MATERIALS
INJECTION MOLDING MATERIALS
PLASTICS
| Material | Key Properties | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Good impact resistance, easy to mold | Housings, consumer product covers |
| PC | High strength and heat resistance | Transparent parts, protective covers |
| PP | Chemical resistant, lightweight | Containers, living hinges, consumer parts |
| PA (Nylon) | Strong and wear resistant | Mechanical components and gears |
| POM | Low friction, high stiffness | Precision mechanical parts |
| PEEK | High performance under heat and stress | Demanding engineering applications |
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
3D PRINTING MATERIALS
PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES
| Technology | Common Materials | Typical Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| SLA | Standard, tough, and high-detail resins | Visual prototypes and detailed models |
| SLS / MJF | Nylon (PA12), glass-filled nylon, TPU | Functional prototypes and end-use parts |
| FDM | ABS, PLA, PETG, PC, Nylon, PEEK | Concept models and functional components |
| SLM (Metal) | Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium | Complex metal prototypes and production parts |