Brass CDA 385 Brass CDA 360 Aluminum 6061 Stainless Steel 304L Stainless Steel 316LVM           The following chart is based on our experience running production volumes. While we routinely machine all of these materials, this chart compares machinability to the optimum CDA 385 brass. Machinability is a function of cycle time, chip maintenance, frequency of tool sharpening, and overall process capability. Rating can vary depending on part geometry, specifications and type of machine used. Note the major difference in chip size between CDA 385 and CDA 360 pictured above is based on minor differences in chemical composition. We welcome the opportunity to discuss material selection with your engineering staff. Email Us or call 585-742-2560 for more information.   This is our preferred machining alloy, chips are smaller and more manageable than CDA 360. Composition:   57.0% Cu  3.0% Pb 40.0% Zn  The U.S. standard for high machinability. Often preferred for parts with crimping and knurling applications due to higher lead content, but creates long chips. Composition:   61.5% Cu  3.0% Pb 35.5% Zn               This excellent "free machining" aluminum runs as fast as brass and creates small easy to work with chips. Composition: 94.5% Al 5.5% Cu This popular alloy is often selected for electronic spring contacts due to its high tensile strength. Machines almost as fast as brass. Composition:   88.0% Cu  4.0% Pb 4.0% Zn 4.0% Sn        This high tensile strength alloy is the best machining option of the nickel silver family. Composition:  45.5-48.5% Cu 9-11% Ni 35.5% Zn min  1.5-2.5% Pb     1.5-2.5% Mn*       This alloy can be inconsistent to machine and is tough on tools. Drills more like steel than a copper based alloy. Often chosen for its hardening characteristics after Heat Treat. Composition:   97.7% Cu 1.9% Be 0.4% Pb               This alloy is tough on tools, which affects its machinability. However, it creates a highly corrosion resistant part which is equally as tough. Composition:  55-59% Cu 11-13% Ni 26% Zn min 0.5-2.0% Pb  This very high tensile strength aluminum alloy is more difficult to work with than 2011 due to its tough and long chips. Composition:  90.0% Al 1.6% Cu 0.23% Cr  2.5% Mg     5.6% Zn       This highly conductive material is extremely soft, which lowers the machineability and can also lead to handling concerns where surface finish is critical. Composition:   99.5% Cu 0.5% Te 0.008% P Delrin is the best machining alloy of the plastic family. 12L14 is the best machining alloy of the steel group. Composition:  0.15% C max  0.85-1.15% Mn 0.04-0.09% P max   0.26-0.35% S max 97% Fe   This "lead free" ledloy steel is more difficult to machine due to the type of chips created and increased tool sharpening. Composition:  13.0% C max  0.70-1.00% Mn 0.07-0.12% P max   0.24-0.33% S max 98% Fe   This aluminum alloy is known for its high strength, solderability and corrosion resistance. Difficult to machine at high speed. Composition:  97.9% Al 0.28% Cu 0.20% Cr  1.0% Mg     0.6% Si       This is the fastest machining stainless steel. 416 can not be hardened significantly through heat treatment (Rc 38-42 max). Composition:  12-14% Cr 0.15% C 1.25% Mn  1.0% Si   0.06% P 0.15% S     This hardenable (Rc 65) steel alloy is commonly used for shafts and is approximately equal to ASTM A1095. 430F is the free machining version of 430. Not hardenable by Heat Treatment. Used for some aircraft parts. Composition:  16-18% Cr 0.12% C max 1.25% Mn max  1.00% Si max   0.06% P max 0.15% S min 0.06% Mo   420F is an excellent choice for a high machining stainless steel that can be heat treated to Rc 52. Composition:  12-14% Cr >0.15% C 1.25% Mn 1.0% Si   0.06% P 0.15% S min 0.6% Mo max   This alloy machines well, but slowly. Machine type and part geometry can change this rating dramatically. Composition:  18% Cr 0.15% C 2.0% Mn 1.0% Si   0.20% P 0.015% S 0.06% Mo 9% Ni Machines well despite long chips. Tool wear is drastically higher then all other plastics. Often used for medical applications. This variation of 316L provides a significantly better machining rate and is more resistant to corrosive pitting than typical 316 alloys.  The sulfur content does reduce the weldability compared to standard 316. Composition:  16-19% Cr 0.3% C max 1.25% Mn max 1.80% Cu max   0.06% P max 0.10-0.15% S 2.00-2.50% Mo 0.10-0.13% Ni This bearing steel is a tough alloy primarily used for parts requiring high impact resistance. Composition:  0.98%-1.1% C 0.35% Mn 0.025% P max 0.025% S max   97% Fe 1.45 % Cr 0.23% Si   This material is very expensive, but can machine better than some implant quality stainless steels. High risk of fire during machining. Composition:  0.0% C max 0.0% Fe max 0.0% N max 0.0% O max   0.0% H max 0.0% Ti     This alloy is often chosen for its corrosion resistance.  Requires a strong machine as material is “gummy” to machine and often better suited for cold forming. Composition:  16-18% Cr 0.08% C 2.0% Mn 0.75% Si   0.045% P 0.03% S 2-3% Mo 10-14% Ni   0.10% N       304L is known for its toughness and ductile properties. Burrs are an immense challenge as it is easier to push this soft material, than to cut it. Composition:  18-20% Cr 0.03% C 2.0% Mn 0.75% Si   0.045% P 0.03% S 8-12% Ni 0.10% N This alloy is more difficult to machine then Grade 5 and presents an even greater risk of fire on the machine. Composition:  0.1% C max 0.3% Fe max 0.03% N max 0.25% O max   0.015% H max 99.2% Ti     440C when heat treated has the highest hardness values of any stainless steel (Rc 60).  Needless to say a challenge to machine given its high carbon content. Primarily used for wear resistance such as bearings or parts with bearing like surfaces. Not the best stainless steel for corrosion resistance. Composition:  16-18% Cr 0.95-1.2% C 1.00% Mn max 1.00% Si max   0.04% P max 0.030% S max 0.75% Mo max This implant quality alloy is difficult to machine due to its soft nature. It produces razor sharp chips, which affect tool quality. Composition:  17-19% Cr 0.03% C max 2% Mn max 0.75% Si max   0.025% P max 0.01% S max 2.25-3.5% Mo 13-15% Ni   0.1% N max 62% Fe 0.5% Cu