General Engineering
ABS, acetal, nylon, HDPE, UHMW, polypropylene, PVC, and polycarbonate.
CNC MaterialsEngineering 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
High Performance
PEEK, PEI, PPS, PTFE, PFA, PVDF, and application-specific filled grades.
Request Material ReviewOptical and Cosmetic
Acrylic, polycarbonate, clear engineering plastics, and controlled surface finishes.
View FinishesComposite Stock
G10/FR4, phenolic laminates, carbon fiber sheet, and selected reinforced materials.
View Cutting OptionsSheet 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 |
Molding and Casting
Production resin families
ABSPolycarbonatePC/ABSPolypropylenePolyethyleneNylonGlass-Filled NylonAcetalPBTPETPPSPEEKPMMATPETPULiquid Silicone RubberRigid Cast UrethaneFlexible Cast UrethaneClear Cast Urethane
Material Selection
Requirements that narrow the choice
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, impact, fatigue, wear, friction, creep, and expected load direction.
Environment
Temperature, chemicals, moisture, UV, vacuum, flame, sterilization, and corrosion.
Manufacturing
Process, wall thickness, tolerance, surface, stock form, joining, finishing, and volume.
Compliance
Material certificates, traceability, flame ratings, food contact, medical, aerospace, or customer standards.
Need Help Selecting?
Submit performance requirements with the part.
An engineer can review practical material and process combinations.