The Rise of Aluminum Machined Parts
Aluminum CNC machined parts are in high demand and many industries rely on the use of aluminum material. This view is supported by the fact that the aluminum market size is expected to grow during 2020-2025. The market segmentation by type includes turned aluminum, milled aluminum, and others.
The reason why aluminum is so popular in CNC machined parts is that the machining time of aluminum machined parts is shorter than any other metal. The article discusses the popularity, applications, and more of aluminum CNC machined parts.
1.What are the advantages of aluminum CNC machined parts over steel parts?
Aluminum is a versatile, durable, and ductile material. Compared to other materials, aluminum is lighter in weight than other metals. Aluminum automotive structures are more cost-effective than steel automotive structures. Aluminum is naturally corrosion-free, reflects heat and light, and is ductile.
Aluminum works well in the CNC machined parts production process and every machinist is using aluminum because they are affordable and lightweight. Aluminum can be machined in a shorter time than other materials.
2.Reasons why aluminum CNC machined parts are in high demand
Aluminum as a material is very suitable for CNC machining. It produces a complete and durable surface. Here are some reasons why aluminum CNC machined parts are in high demand:
1) Aluminum material is easier to machine
When it comes to CNC machining, aluminum has many properties that make it easier to manufacture. The best thing is that aluminum is softer than other materials used for CNC machining. Softness means that the material can be quickly peeled and the drilling process will not be a problem.
Aluminum is a bendable material and you can cut and fold it according to the customer’s requirements. MDA’s machinists can machine the material into any shape they like with extreme precision and tolerances within 0.025 mm.
2) Better electrical conductivity
Aluminum parts are very suitable for use as electrical components because of their electrical conductivity. It has a higher electrical conductivity than other machined metals. This property makes machined aluminum parts more conductive and suitable for industrial applications. Here are some materials that are conductive at room temperature:
3) Custom finishing
Aluminum can be customized according to customer needs. This is why aluminum parts are popular in CNC machining. MDA knows the importance of customer requirements, so we produce durable products. We can plate them with colors as per the requirements. The colors you can try are black, blue and green.
4) Strength to Weight Ratio
Aluminum has amazing physical properties that make it suitable for making parts and mechanical components. Aluminum has better strength and weight. These two properties make aluminum material the right choice for parts required by the aerospace and automotive industries. Some examples are aircraft accessories and automotive axles.
Different grades of aluminum have different uses because of their good strength to weight ratio. General-purpose grades like 6061 are used for various parts, while 7075 grade is used for aerospace and marine applications.
5) Corrosion Protection
Aluminum CNC machined parts are used in many industries and are exposed to corrosive elements. The benefit of using aluminum CNC machined parts is that they have good corrosion resistance. Each grade has different corrosion resistance. The ideal corrosion resistant grade is 6061, which has excellent corrosion resistance and high weldability.
6) Aluminum CNC machined parts are recyclable
Aluminum parts are recyclable, a feature that has led to an increase in industrial applications. Therefore, aluminum CNC machining parts are a better choice for businesses trying to reduce their carbon footprint. CNC machining is a subtractive process that produces a lot of waste due to fragmentation. This waste can be recycled to create better products.
3.Applications of CNC aluminum machining parts
1) Construction industry
Construction is synonymous with the construction industry. Buildings do not corrode due to the use of aluminum. This helps in designing and developing projects that suit modern needs.
In construction, industrial aluminum comes in many forms, including profiles, rolled products, and solid forms. Aluminum has a beautiful surface and does not need to be cleaned. Aluminum is used in exhibition halls, disaster relief rooms, temporary courtyards, etc.
2) Electrical industry
Aluminum can be made into thin wires and is often used in products such as telephone wires and light bulbs. Aluminum has a low density, making it ideal for long-distance transmission lines. Aluminum is more ductile and can be easily formed into more wires. In addition to transmission lines and cables, aluminum is also used in electrical appliances, motors, and power systems.
3) Transportation Industry
Aluminum is a great choice for the transportation industry due to its combination of strength and lightness. The main uses of aluminum are in automobiles, railways, ships, and aircraft. Using aluminum parts has advantages because it is easier to shape and improves efficiency. The light weight of aluminum means low fuel consumption and emissions.
4) Aerospace Industry
Aluminum is a great material for making aircraft parts, which makes it perfect for the aviation industry. Aluminum has high corrosion resistance, excellent ductility, and a high strength-to-weight ratio. It can relieve any stress that comes with high-altitude flying.
The most commonly used aluminum grades in the aerospace industry are:
- Aluminum 7075
- 6061 Aluminum
5) Consumer Goods Industry
The consumer goods industry is an industry that relies on the consumption of aluminum CNC machining parts. You may be reading this article on a device, smartphone, or laptop. Every new electronic product comes with an aluminum body and components. Aluminum is stronger than plastic, which allows the material to absorb and dissipate heat.
4.Conclusion
The material is an ideal factor to consider before CNC machining. The product requires a high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and electrical conductivity. Therefore, aluminum is a perfect choice. Many industries require precision machined parts, and what could be better than machined aluminum parts?