- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Good weldability
- Good formability
ITContact us MATERIALS
Understanding materials for reliable machining
Composition, properties, surface treatments and painting compatibility of the alloys we machine
MATERIALS
Machined materials
Properties and treatments
Choose a material family, then a grade to explore its composition and properties.
Aluminium5000 · 6000 · 7000 series
Three alloy families offering different balances of weight, strength, stability and machinability. Exact composition depends on the grade and supply condition.
Selected grade5000 series
ElementRole or indicative content
AlAluminium
main constituent
MgMagnesium
principal alloying element
MnManganese
secondary alloying element
CrChromium
secondary alloying element
Element colours match the spheres in the structureBars show the indicative percentage contentCharacteristic alloying elements. The main constituent percentage is estimated by subtracting the listed elements from 100%; exact values depend on the grade and applicable standard.
- Protective anodising
- Chemical conversion coating
- Blasting or satin finishing
Yes, with degreasing, conversion coating and a suitable primer.
- Lightweight structures
- Humid environments
- Housings and supports
SteelAISI 303 · 304 · 420
Grades selected for machinability, corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, according to the component and its service conditions.
Selected gradeAISI 303
ElementRole or indicative content
FeIron
≈ 70.85%
CrChromium
17–19%
NiNickel
8–10%
SSulfur
≥ 0.15%
Element colours match the spheres in the structureBars show the indicative percentage contentCharacteristic composition by mass. The main constituent percentage is estimated by subtracting the listed elements from 100%; exact values depend on the grade and applicable standard.
- Excellent machinability
- Good corrosion resistance
- Limited weldability
- Passivation
- Electropolishing
- PVD for wear resistance or surface finishing
Possible but uncommon; surface roughening and a suitable primer are required.
- Shafts and bushings
- Fittings
- Complex turned parts
RSA alloysRSA-431 · RSA-443 · RSA-6061
Rapid-solidification aluminium alloys used in precision components. Dimensional stability, thermal expansion and mechanical properties depend on the specific grade.
Selected gradeRSA-431
ElementRole or indicative content
AlAluminium
≈ 66.5%
SiSilicon
30%
CuCopper
1.5%
MgMagnesium
1.2%
Element colours match the spheres in the structureBars show the indicative percentage contentTypical composition by mass. The main constituent percentage is estimated by subtracting the listed elements from 100%; exact values depend on the grade and applicable standard.
- Low thermal expansion
- High specific stiffness
- Excellent dimensional stability
- Electroless nickel-phosphorus plating
- Optical coatings
- Ultra-precision finishing
Compatible with dedicated coating processes, following preparation and a primer suitable for high-silicon aluminium alloys.
- Precision optics
- Aerospace structures
- Thermally stable components
TitaniumGrade 5 · Ti-6Al-4V
An alpha-beta alloy with a high strength-to-weight ratio, used for components where weight, performance and reliability matter.
Selected gradeGrade 5
ElementRole or indicative content
TiTitanium
≈ 88.75%
AlAluminium
5.5–6.75%
VVanadium
3.5–4.5%
Element colours match the spheres in the structureBars show the indicative percentage contentNominal composition. The main constituent percentage is estimated by subtracting the listed elements from 100%; exact values depend on the grade and applicable standard.
- Very high strength-to-weight ratio
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Good fatigue resistance
- Titanium anodising
- PVD or DLC coatings
- Controlled shot peening
Yes, with surface activation and a titanium-compatible primer.
- Aeronautics
- Medical equipment
- High-performance robotics
BrassCW614N · CuZn39Pb3
A free-machining copper-zinc alloy for complex turned and milled parts requiring accuracy and a good surface finish.
Selected gradeCW614N
ElementRole or indicative content
CuCopper
57–59%
ZnZinc
36.5–40.5%
PbLead
2.5–3.5%
FeIron
≤ 0.3%
Element colours match the spheres in the structureBars show the indicative percentage contentCharacteristic composition by mass. The main constituent percentage is estimated by subtracting the listed elements from 100%; exact values depend on the grade and applicable standard.
- Excellent machinability
- Good corrosion resistance
- Excellent surface finish
- Nickel plating
- Chrome plating
- Polishing or satin finishing
Yes, after degreasing, light surface preparation and a primer for non-ferrous metals.
- Fittings and valves
- Turned components
- Automation components
InvarInvar 36 · FeNi36
An iron-nickel alloy with very low thermal expansion, used where dimensional stability is essential.
Selected gradeInvar 36
ElementRole or indicative content
FeIron
≈ 63.98%
NiNickel
36%
CCarbon
0.02%
Element colours match the spheres in the structureBars show the indicative percentage contentNominal composition. The main constituent percentage is estimated by subtracting the listed elements from 100%; exact values depend on the grade and applicable standard.
- Very low thermal expansion
- High dimensional stability
- Ferromagnetic material
- Protective nickel plating
- Controlled blackening
- Anti-corrosion coatings
Yes, after degreasing, mechanical preparation and an anti-corrosion primer.
- Metrology
- Optics and lasers
- Precision fixtures
Super Invar32-5 · FeNiCo
A cobalt-containing development of Invar, designed to further reduce thermal expansion near room temperature.
Selected gradeSuper Invar 32-5
ElementRole or indicative content
FeIron
≈ 62.5%
NiNickel
32%
CoCobalt
5.5%
Element colours match the spheres in the structureBars show the indicative percentage contentNominal composition. The main constituent percentage is estimated by subtracting the listed elements from 100%; exact values depend on the grade and applicable standard.
- Extremely low thermal expansion
- Highest stability near room temperature
- Sensitive to the thermal cycle
- Protective nickel plating
- Thin anti-corrosion coatings
- Preliminary thermal stabilisation
Yes, using low-temperature processes that preserve the component’s dimensional stability.
- Scientific instruments
- Optical systems
- Dimensional references
General guidance only: composition, properties and surface treatments must be checked against the exact grade, metallurgical condition, service environment and project requirements.