Materials for CNC Turning & Lathe Operations
Our advanced CNC lathes and turn-mill centers are optimized to machine a wide range of metals and plastics. Explore our material selection for creating your precision shafts, fittings, and complex cylindrical components.
Turned Metals: From Soft Alloys to Hardened Steels
We have extensive experience in turning a full spectrum of metals, achieving excellent surface finishes and tight diametrical tolerances.
Aluminum (6061, 7075)
Excellent for Turning. Aluminum's free-machining properties allow for high-speed turning operations, resulting in fast cycle times and a superior surface finish. Ideal for lightweight shafts, housings, and custom fittings.
Stainless Steel (304, 316L)
We use rigid setups and specially coated inserts to effectively turn stainless steel, creating strong, corrosion-resistant parts with a beautiful finish. Perfect for medical, marine, and food-grade components.
Steel (Mild & Alloy Steel)
From low-cost 1018 mild steel for general-purpose pins to hardened 4140 alloy steel for high-strength shafts, our powerful lathes can handle the full range of steel turning applications.
Brass (C360)
The Best for Machinability. Often called "free-machining brass," C360 is the easiest metal to turn, allowing for extremely fast production and a flawless surface finish. Ideal for high-volume fittings, connectors, and valves.
Copper (C110)
We employ very sharp tooling and high speeds to achieve a clean cut on this soft, conductive metal. Perfect for creating custom electrical pins, contacts, and thermal components.
Titanium (Grade 5)
Turning this tough material requires expertise. We use specific cutting strategies and high-pressure coolant to manage heat and produce strong, lightweight parts for aerospace and high-performance applications.
Turned Plastics: For Low-Friction and High-Performance Applications
POM (Acetal/Delrin)
The Top Choice for Plastic Turning. Delrin's rigidity, natural lubricity, and excellent dimensional stability make it the ideal plastic for turning. It produces clean chips and a beautiful, smooth finish. Perfect for bearings, rollers, and bushings.
Nylon (PA)
We use sharp tooling to effectively machine this tough and wear-resistant plastic. It's an excellent choice for custom bushings, wear pads, and structural components.
PTFE (Teflon)
While very soft, our specialized techniques allow us to turn PTFE into highly accurate seals, insulators, and low-friction components without causing deformation.
PEEK
This high-performance polymer can be turned to create components for demanding applications in the medical and aerospace industries that require high temperature and chemical resistance.
How Material Properties Affect Turning Operations
The machinability of a material is a key factor in turning. Our engineers select the optimal parameters based on your material choice.
Machinability Rating
Materials like Brass C360 have a high machinability rating, allowing for faster speeds and feeds, which reduces cycle time and cost. Tougher materials like Titanium have a low rating and require a more methodical approach.
Chip Formation
Ideal turning materials form small, brittle chips that break away cleanly. "Gummy" materials like copper can form long, stringy chips that require specific tool geometries and pecking cycles to manage.
Surface Finish (Ra)
The material itself plays a huge role in the achievable surface finish. Softer materials can be burnished to a mirror-like finish, while harder materials may require a secondary grinding operation for ultra-fine finishes.
Automation
For high-volume production, we often use CNC lathes with bar feeders. Materials that are available in long, uniform round bar stock are best suited for this highly efficient, automated process.
Turning the Right Material for the Job
Real-world examples of how material selection impacts project success.
A plumbing supplier required a high-volume run of 10,000 custom fittings. We selected C360 Brass for its outstanding machinability and corrosion resistance. By utilizing our CNC lathes with automated bar feeders, we were able to run the production 24/7 with minimal operator intervention, delivering the full order ahead of schedule and at a highly competitive per-part cost.
Have a Material in Mind for Your Turning Project?
Our team has the expertise to turn it to your exact specifications. Upload your file today to receive a comprehensive quote for your cylindrical parts.
Upload Your File for a Turning Quote