What types of aluminum are used in CNC machining?

2023-07-26

What types of aluminum are used in CNC Machining?
In its pure form, aluminum is malleable, resistant to corrosion in most forms, non-magnetic, and an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. However, it is too weak for most commercial applications.

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Greater strength can be achieved by combining molten aluminum with other elements such as copper, lithium, magnesium, manganese, silicon, and zinc to form alloys. These alloys also further enhance aluminum's other natural properties.

The most commonly used alloys in aluminum CNC machining are divided into three categories:

Cast aluminum alloy - Casting refers to molten or liquid forming. Producers form this type of alloy by pouring molten aluminum into a mold and cooling it. Cast aluminum alloys are affordable, versatile, lightweight, durable, and perform well at high temperatures.

The automotive industry is the largest user of cast alloys, accounting for about two-thirds of the aluminum used in automobiles. Parts made of cast alloys include engine parts, housings, steering columns, and increasingly structural brackets. Other common uses include cookware, mechanical parts, and hand tools.

Cast alloys are less expensive to produce due to their low melting point and can produce a wider range of shapes due to the flexibility of the mold. But their tensile strength tends to be lower than that of forged alloys, is not easy to machine, and is more wear-resistant on cutting tools.

Aluminum-lithium (Al-Li) alloy-Lithium is the lowest density elemental metal, making this type of alloy much lighter than pure aluminum or other materials. Due to this property, the aerospace industry mainly uses Al-Li alloys for lower wing skins, inner wing structures, fuselages and fan blades. You can also find them in racing cars and space rockets.

The weight advantage offered by Al-Li alloys is offset by their lower machinability and lower fracture toughness (the ability of crack-containing materials to resist further cracking). Their production is relatively small, which also means they are more expensive.

Forged aluminum alloy - Forging refers to forming under solid state. This type of alloy is produced by forming molten aluminum into billets or large slabs and then using tools to roll, forge, stamp, or extrude these pieces into shape.

Forged alloys are the most widely used material in aluminum CNC machining. This is because they have superior mechanical properties and structural integrity compared to cast alloys. They are easier to machine, have a better surface finish, and have less wear on the edges of the cutting tool.

CNC machining of steel and aluminum

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