Aluminium
Lightweight, easy to machine and naturally corrosion resistant. The default choice for prototypes, housings and structural parts. Anodizing is available.
Materials
Choose the right material for your part
Strength, weight, corrosion resistance, machinability and cost all pull in different directions. Here is a practical overview to help you decide — and we are happy to advise on your specific case.
Metals for CNC machining
The usual suspects for mechanical parts, fixtures and housings.
Stainless steel
Excellent corrosion resistance and hygiene, suited to food, marine, medical and outdoor applications. Harder to machine, hence a higher cost.
Steel
High strength and wear resistance for shafts, tooling and heavily loaded parts. Can be protected by coating or heat treatment.
Brass
Very good machinability, low friction and a clean appearance. Ideal for fittings, bushings and decorative components.
Engineering plastics
Light, insulating and often self-lubricating alternatives to metal.
POM (Delrin®)
Dimensionally stable with low friction — great for gears, guides and precision mechanical parts.
PA (nylon)
Tough and wear resistant, suited to bearings, spacers and moving parts.
PEEK, PTFE & more
High-performance plastics for demanding temperature, chemical or friction conditions. Ask us for availability.
3D printing materials
Matched to the technology you choose.
FDM filaments
PLA for quick visual models, PETG for toughness and chemical resistance, ABS and ASA for heat and outdoor use, and reinforced filaments such as carbon-fibre blends.
Photopolymer resins
Fine detail and very smooth surfaces for small parts, fit checks and presentation models.
How to decide
Four questions that narrow the choice quickly.
What loads will it see?
Static, dynamic, impact, temperature — this sets the strength and stiffness you need.
Where will it live?
Humidity, chemicals, food contact or outdoor exposure drive corrosion and compliance needs.
How many parts?
One-offs and small series favor different materials and processes than large batches.
What is the budget?
Material cost and machining time both count. A cheaper material can end up costing less overall.
Need help choosing a material?
Tell us what the part does and we will suggest the most sensible option for your use case and budget.
