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CNC machining produces parts with excellent mechanical properties, accuracy and repeatability from metal and plastic. 3-axis & 5-axis CNC milling available.
Excellent mechanical properties,High accuracy & repeatabillity
Greater geometry restrictions than 3D printing
| Price | $$$ |
|---|---|
| Lead Time | < 10 days |
| Wall Thickness | 0.75 mm |
| Tolerance | ±0.125mm (±0.005″) |
| Max Part Size | 200 x 80 x 100 cm |
A durable, high-strength material with excellent wear resistance, used in industrial applications.
A high-strength, tough material with excellent wear and fatigue resistance.
A low tensile, low hardenability carbon steel known for its excellent machinability at higher speeds.
Clarwe provides a wide range ofsurface finishes through its alloy steel CNC machining service, designed to elevate the quality of each machined component. Each finish is specifically chosen to improve both the mechanical characteristics and the visual appeal of the alloy steel parts.
Alloy steel is a type of steel that is alloyed with a variety of elements such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium, and manganese to improve its mechanical properties and performance characteristics. The addition of these elements enhances the steel's strength, toughness, hardness, and resistance to wear, corrosion, and high temperatures, making it suitable for demanding applications. Alloy steel can be categorized into two main types: low-alloy steel, which contains a small amount of alloying elements (typically less than 5%), and high-alloy steel, which contains a higher concentration of alloying elements (more than 5%).
The primary benefit of alloy steel is its ability to be tailored for specific purposes by adjusting the composition of the alloying elements. For example, adding chromium can improve corrosion resistance, while nickel increases toughness and impact resistance. Molybdenum improves high-temperature strength, and vanadium helps in grain refinement, which enhances overall toughness. Alloy steels are widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and energy, where strength, durability, and resistance to wear or extreme conditions are essential.
CNC machining of alloy steel involves various processes tailored to accommodate its unique mechanical properties, such as strength, hardness, and wear resistance.CNC Milling is commonly used for alloy steel, employing rotating cutters to remove material at slower feed rates and cutting speeds to prevent heat buildup and excessive tool wear. For cylindrical parts,CNC Turning is utilized, where the workpiece rotates and material is removed by a stationary cutting tool, requiring precise control due to alloy steel's hardness. CNC Drilling also plays a key role in creating accurate holes in alloy steel, with specialized drills such as carbide or cobalt bits required for efficient cutting. Due to the material's hardness, careful attention to feed rates and speeds is critical in all processes to optimize tool life and maintain precision.
Additionally, CNC Grinding is essential for achieving precise surface finishes and dimensional accuracy on alloy steel, especially for components like gears and shafts that require tight tolerances. CNC Tapping is used to create internal threads in pre-drilled holes, with special tools and techniques to handle alloy steel's hardness. For intricate shapes or cuts, CNC Laser Cutting provides high precision with minimal heat distortion, making it ideal for thin alloy steel sections. CNC Plasma Cutting is typically employed for thicker sections of alloy steel, offering fast, efficient cutting though at lower precision compared to laser cutting. Each CNC machining process requires attention to material properties, cutting conditions, and tooling to ensure optimal results and part quality.
Post-processing of alloy steel parts is essential to enhance their mechanical properties, surface finish, and overall performance, especially given the material’s hardness and strength. Heat Treatment is one of the most common post-processing methods, including processes like annealing, quenching, and tempering. Heat treatment can enhance the hardness, strength, and ductility of alloy steel, making it more suitable for high-stress applications. Hardening by quenching, followed by tempering, is often used to increase the steel's wear resistance and tensile strength. Surface Hardening techniques like case hardening or nitriding are applied to improve wear resistance while maintaining a tough core.
Other post-processing options includePolishing and Grinding for achieving smooth surfaces and tight dimensional tolerances, particularly in precision components like gears, shafts, and tools. These methods are essential for applications requiring a high-quality finish and accurate fit. Coatings such as zinc plating, chrome plating, or phosphating are commonly used to enhance corrosion resistance and wear resistance in alloy steel parts. Shot Peening is another option, where small spherical media are blasted onto the steel surface to induce compressive stresses, improving fatigue resistance. Deburring is necessary to remove sharp edges or burrs from the machining process, ensuring safe handling and improved assembly.
Corrosion Resistance: Improves resistance to rust and environmental damage, extending the lifespan of parts.
Improved Wear Resistance: Surface hardening techniques, such as nitriding or case hardening, enhance wear resistance, making parts more durable.
Increased Corrosion Resistance: Coatings like zinc plating and chrome plating protect alloy steel parts from rust and corrosion, extending their lifespan.
High Precision and Finish: Polishing and grinding provide smooth, high-quality surface finishes and tight tolerances for precision components.
Fatigue Resistance: Shot peening induces compressive stresses on the surface, improving the material's resistance to fatigue and cracking.
Improved Ductility: Heat treatment can improve the ductility of alloy steel, making it more suitable for applications requiring flexibility.
Enhanced Toughness: Processes like tempering increase the toughness of alloy steel, making it more resistant to impacts and fractures.
Reduced Stress: Post-processing methods like annealing reduce internal stresses, improving the material's stability and performance.
Tailored Properties: Alloy steel can be customized for specific applications by adjusting post-processing techniques to achieve desired characteristics.
Better Machinability: Post-processing techniques like polishing and grinding improve the machinability of alloy steel for easier subsequent processing.
Automotive Industry: Alloy steel is used in manufacturing gears, shafts, axles, and engine components due to its high strength and durability.
Aerospace: Employed in the production of turbine blades, landing gears, and structural components, alloy steel's high strength-to-weight ratio is ideal for critical aerospace applications.
Tooling and Manufacturing: Alloy steel is commonly used for manufacturing cutting tools, dies, and molds because of its wear resistance and hardness.
Oil and Gas Industry: Alloy steel is used for drilling tools, pipeline components, and valves, offering resistance to high-pressure environments and corrosion.
Marine Industry: Components like propellers, shafts, and fittings are made from alloy steel, benefiting from its corrosion resistance and strength in harsh marine environments.
Power Generation: Used in the production of turbine parts, valves, and other components that must withstand high temperatures and pressures in power plants.
Military and Defense: Alloy steel is utilized in manufacturing armor plates, military vehicles, and weaponry due to its strength, toughness, and resistance to wear and impact.
Mining and Excavation Equipment: Alloy steel is used for manufacturing parts like drill bits, excavator arms, and crushers that are exposed to extreme wear and high stress.
Heavy Machinery: Alloy steel is employed in the construction of heavy equipment components such as bulldozer blades, crane parts, and excavator buckets for its durability and strength under load.
Alloy steel can be machined, but it is more challenging than softer materials due to its high hardness and strength. It often requires specialized cutting tools, such as carbide or high-speed steel, to minimize tool wear. Proper control of machining parameters like speed, feed rate and depth of cut is crucial for achieving optimal results. While not as easy to machine, alloy steel can be effectively shaped with the right techniques and equipment.
Yes, alloy steel is suitable for high-temperature applications, especially when alloyed with elements like chromium and molybdenum. These elements improve heat resistance, allowing the steel to maintain strength and toughness at elevated temperatures. It is commonly used in industries like aerospace and automotive for demanding environments.
Alloy steel offers excellent strength, toughness and wear resistance, making it ideal for demanding CNC machining applications. Its high durability ensures long-lasting performance even under extreme conditions. The material’s versatility allows it to be used in a variety of precision components and complex parts.