Engineering Reference

Manufacturing Materials Library

Use this library to identify practical starting points. Final grade, temper, stock form, color, certification, and availability are confirmed during quoting.

Metals

Machining, fabrication, casting, stamping, and extrusion alloys

Family	Representative Grades	Common Process Fit	Selection Themes
Aluminum	2024, 5052, 6061, 6063, 7075, tooling plate	CNC, sheet metal, laser, waterjet, extrusion, die casting	Low mass, machining, forming, corrosion behavior, thermal performance
Carbon and Alloy Steel	Mild steel, 1018, 1045, 4130, 4140, spring and tool steels	CNC, sheet metal, stamping, laser, waterjet, EDM	Strength, wear, heat treatment, weldability, cost
Stainless Steel	303, 304, 316, 17-4 PH, 410, 420	CNC, sheet metal, laser, waterjet, stamping, EDM	Corrosion, cleanliness, strength, magnetism, heat treatment
Copper Alloys	Copper, brass, bronze, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper by review	CNC, sheet cutting, stamping, EDM, electrical assemblies	Conductivity, spring behavior, corrosion, appearance, machinability
Titanium	Commercially pure grades, Grade 5 and application-specific alloys	CNC, laser, waterjet, additive, EDM	Strength-to-weight, corrosion, temperature, medical or aerospace needs
Nickel and Specialty Alloys	Inconel families and other project-specific conductive alloys	CNC, EDM, waterjet, additive	High temperature, corrosion, strength, sourcing, machining difficulty

Machined Plastics

Engineering plastic stock

General Engineering

ABS, acetal, nylon, HDPE, UHMW, polypropylene, PVC, and polycarbonate.

CNC Materials

High Performance

PEEK, PEI, PPS, PTFE, PFA, PVDF, and application-specific filled grades.

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Optical and Cosmetic

Acrylic, polycarbonate, clear engineering plastics, and controlled surface finishes.

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Composite Stock

G10/FR4, phenolic laminates, carbon fiber sheet, and selected reinforced materials.

View Cutting Options

Sheet and Flat Stock

Nonmetal cutting and routing materials

Cut method depends on thickness, heat sensitivity, edge requirements, dust or contamination controls, and whether the stock is layered or reinforced.

ABS SheetAcrylicAcetal / DelrinHDPEUHMWPolycarbonatePolypropyleneG10 / FR4Carbon FiberPhenolicNeopreneNitrile / Buna-NViton / FKMGasket CorkFoamMylarComposite PanelWood-Based Sheet

Additive Manufacturing

3D printing material families

Technology	Material Families	Typical Reasons to Select
FDM	ABS-like, ASA, polycarbonate, nylon, PEI, reinforced thermoplastics	Large parts, fixtures, functional prototypes, production aids
SLS	Nylon 11, nylon 12, filled nylon, flexible powders	Durable parts, complex geometry, nested production, no support structures
MJF	Nylon and selected elastomeric powder systems	Detailed functional parts, repeat batches, balanced surface and strength
SLA and Photopolymer	General, tough, rigid, clear, high-temperature, flexible resins	Fine detail, smooth appearance, masters, fixtures, specialized behavior
PolyJet	Rigid, rubber-like, clear, and multi-material photopolymers	Appearance models, color concepts, simulated overmold, fine detail
Metal Additive	Stainless, aluminum, titanium, nickel, tool steel, and qualified systems	Complex metal geometry, internal channels, consolidation, low-volume production

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Molding and Casting

Production resin families

ABSPolycarbonatePC/ABSPolypropylenePolyethyleneNylonGlass-Filled NylonAcetalPBTPETPPSPEEKPMMATPETPULiquid Silicone RubberRigid Cast UrethaneFlexible Cast UrethaneClear Cast Urethane

Injection Molding Materials Casting Materials

Material Selection