How Strong Is CNC Aluminum? Here is Reality!

CNC aluminum is famous for its strength. Its usage is a staple in many industries, including aerospace and automobiles. However, the buyers remain confused about the strength of CNC aluminum during the selection process. So, they ask: how strong is CNC aluminum?

 

CNC aluminum has an exceptional tensile strength of 180 Mpa. It indicates that this material can bear high stress without deterioration. Therefore, manufacturers use it in appliances where the material has to undergo stress. Examples include its usage in wings and other parts of aircraft.

 

Does CNC practically increase the strength of aluminum? What other properties does CNC aluminum have? All these queries can be confusing for average customers. But fret not! This guide will arm you with all the insight about this topic. So, let’s get started!

 

Overview of CNC Aluminum & Its Importance

 

Raw aluminum that undergoes CNC machining becomes CNC aluminum. Due to the accuracy of CNC machines’ cutting and shaping, this aluminum becomes robust and stable. Simple or raw aluminum is irregular and generally less rugged than CNC aluminum. 

 

The enhanced properties of aluminum are due to precise shaping and processing. Customers generally prefer CNC aluminum and its alloys over simple aluminum. The reason is that this version of aluminum offers more distinctive characteristics. However, CNC and simple aluminum prices are almost the same. 

 

The aerospace industry generally uses CNC aluminum due to its precise shapes and fitting. As you know, making aircraft parts requires high precision. Small mistakes can lead to dangerous consequences. So, manufacturers always prefer CNC-processed aluminum. The reason is that it fits exactly what the manufacturer needs. 

 

Raw aluminum generally has rough surfaces and edges. These edges make it less durable and strong. However, the CNC aluminum doesn’t have such rough patches. CNC machines are so accurate that they leave no place unchecked during their operation. So, there remains no roughness on the surface of processed aluminum. 

 

What Makes CNC Aluminum Very Strong?

 

As I said earlier, CNC aluminum has a high tensile strength of around 180 Mpa. But do you think CNC induces such high strength? No, the CNC does not directly increase the strength of CNC aluminum. So, the question arises: how is CNC aluminum stronger than raw one?

 

CNC is a computerized system that runs a machine with precision. This automated system just helps the machine cut and shape the material accurately. This precision in cutting and shaping gives CNC aluminum increased tensile strength. Let me explain this in more easy words. Raw aluminum can have different rouges, surfaces, and edges.

 

The machine cuts these rough sides and edges. As a result, the aluminum experiences more stress on its surface, making it stronger. This material shaping is 100% precise. Moreover, this material is made with specific specifications in mind. So, manufacturers efficiently use these parts without making any modifications.

 

Imagine a manufacturer needs a part in a specific shape to fit a particular position. He will create a part that is precisely what he wants using a CNC machine. He won’t have to make any modifications during its use. The sharp cutting enhances the tensile strength of this material.

 

Quick Highlight: CNC itself is a computerized system and does not impact the strength of CNC aluminum. Instead, the precise cutting increases the tensile strength of this material. So, It can bear high stress with ease without breaking. CNC only ensures precision during cutting. 

 

Key Characteristics & Benefits of CNC Aluminum

 

No doubt, CNC machining gives aluminum excellent properties. Its exceptional tensile strength of 180 Mpa is an example. Due to this property, it can bear extreme stress. However, CNC aluminum has various other properties, not just tensile strength. 

 

Those make it suitable for industries such as aerospace and automobiles. Let’s plunge into the insights and explore their key benefits and properties.

 

1- Tensile Strength

 

One of the benefits of CNC aluminum is its tensile strength. This metal is an excellent choice for high-stress applications. In simple words, it is commonly used in structural and aerospace components. Its tensile strength is up to 180 Mpa. 

 

Generally, aircraft and automobile parts use this aluminum. The reason is that these parts remain under high stress and pressure. The strong CNC aluminum perfectly bears such intense stress. Moreover, CNC aluminum can be easily fabricated and is highly versatile.  

 

2- Ease of Machinability

Machinability is how easily a material can be machined. Interestingly, CNC aluminum offers ease of machining. It is a popular material for CNC machining because it’s robust, easy to work with, lacks brittleness, and is inexpensive. They are excellent choices for machining parts for different needs. 

 

Manufacturers use CNC aluminum to make products of different shapes. Those products are also solid and made through CNC machining. Moreover, these products can further undergo machining for their modification if needed.

 

Quick Tip: Still confused about which aluminum type is right for you? I recommend you find a company first and ask for raw and CNC aluminum samples. The reason is that you will get free samples and do a comprehensive evaluation. This will help you make informed decisions.

 

3- Non-Magnetic

Different non-magnetic alloys are used in CNC aluminum machining. However, cobalt and chromium are some of the most popular. Their alloys with CNC aluminum are biocompatible and corrosion-resistant. They also exhibit excellent tensile strength. While not magnetic, aluminum is still influenced by magnets.

 

A powerful magnet placed near aluminum creates an electrical field. This interaction causes the magnet to fall slowly. CNC machines can achieve high precision by exploiting aluminum’s non-magnetic properties. In addition, non-magnetic aluminum is much easier to work with than other non-magnetic alloys.

 

4- Good Conductor of Heat and Electricity

 

What makes a material a good conductor of heat and electricity? Generally, metals have a lot of free electrons. These free electrons can move around freely inside a metal. This movement of electrons within metal makes it a good conductor. Did you get it?

 

Now, keep in mind that CNC aluminum also has free electrons. These electrons are free to move within the lattice of metal. As a result, they make CNC aluminum conductivity of electricity. However, its electrical conductivity is not as good as you get in copper. Let’s discuss the heat conductivity.

 

Interestingly, heat and electricity conductivity follow the same law of electron movement. These movements of free electrons transfer the thermal energy. CNC aluminum is heat-conductive as it has free electrons for the transfer of thermal energy.

 

5- Corrosion resistance

 

CNC aluminum is among the go-to metals in CNC machining. It makes parts and components of different shapes and sizes. One key reason for its popularity is its corrosion resistance. But how? Aluminum’s corrosion resistance mainly comes from the dense aluminum oxide protective layer naturally formed on its surface. This oxide film effectively protects the aluminum against the elements such as corrosion. Additionally, there are several different grades of CNC aluminum. 

 

The grade of aluminum used can have varying corrosion resistance. Aluminum 6061 is the most corrosion-resistant grade. Lower-grade alloys are less corrosion-resistant. While the stronger alloys are less oxidative, they are more likely to rust and experience different chemical damage. 

 

6- Toolpaths

 

The toolpaths used for CNC aluminum manufacturing can be divided into two types. These types enhance the strength and shape of the aluminum. Those paths are as follows:

• Finishing Toolpath
• Roughing Toolpath

 

A roughing toolpath cuts along the surface in several Z steps. Manufacturers use it to create block-out designs. This toolpath also gives an increasingly resolved shape with each pass. A finishing tool path cuts the surface more slowly and shallowly. This is the primary differentiating factor between finishing and rough Toolpaths. 

 

The roughing toolpath removes more material from the aluminum and creates irregularities. On the flip side, the finishing tool path enhances the smoothness of the already cut place. Keep in mind that the roughing toolpath works very fast. Both of these towpaths increase the residual stress on the CNC aluminum. As a result, the CNC can easily bear high stress.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Does CNC aluminum rust?

CNC aluminum, due to its better structures, offers exceptional rust protection. The precision in cutting removes the weak and rough parts of aluminum, so the chances of rusting become very low.

 

Is CNC aluminum different from raw aluminum?

CNC aluminum is different as it offers better tensile strength than the raw material. This high strength is due to the stress caused by precise cutting and shaping. CNC machines help manufacturers achieve such high precision.

 

Which industries use CNC aluminum?

CNC aluminum is used extensively across all manufacturing industries. However, the aerospace and automobile sectors rely heavily on CNC aluminum.

 

Conclusion

 

CNC machines have been a great invention of the last century. They have changed the way manufacturers used to work on different materials. CNC aluminum has been the talk of the town due to its high tensile strength. However, the reason behind its exceptional strength is not well known. This guide explains the reason for its strength along with some potential benefits it offers.