What are the raw materials commonly used in precision machining?

Precision machining is a process used to create precise parts that are required as independent parts or mechanical components. These parts need to be processed with high precision to suit their specific functions and match the machine or system to be installed. Many different raw materials can be used in precision machining to make the final parts required.
1. Stainless steel
Stainless steel is a widely used raw material for precision machining and is favored for its strength and corrosion resistance. One of the advantages of stainless steel is that it can be vacuum sealed and welded. However, there are many different types of stainless steel with multiple treatment options. It can change the characteristics of materials and their processing methods. Stainless steel is a versatile material, and the price, availability and workability are determined by alloy/grade.
2. Aluminum
Aluminum has many advantages: it is light in weight, easy to process, non-magnetic, corrosion resistant and inexpensive. With the progress of cleaning and machining, aluminum has become a more useful material, and aluminum has even become the first choice for steel. However, for best results, aluminum welding is always required by an experienced machining shop. In addition to the listed advantages, it can be processed to tight tolerances and can be plated with many different materials to make it harder or more conductive. This is a cheap alternative to using steel, stainless steel or copper.
3. Brass
Free machining brass is another economical alternative material. The advantages of brass machining are easy machining, smooth, clean surface, no sparks, tolerances and good threads. Brass is better in complex parts that require complex functions, and because of the zinc and tin in the material, it should not be used in semiconductor products or vacuum applications.
4. Titanium
Titanium is an extremely valuable and useful metal for processing. Titanium has extremely high heat resistance and corrosion resistance, and has the most important strength-to-weight ratio of all metals. It is also lighter in weight, inert and biocompatible, making it suitable for a wide range of applications from aviation to medical tools. However, one of the disadvantages of titanium is that it is difficult to process and expensive.
5. Steel
Steel is one of the most popular metals for all types of manufacturers, and its strength and durability are highly valued. Steel, like stainless steel, is based on grades with specific uses. Compared with other common materials, steel is easy to weld. Usually used in industrial applications, automobile manufacturing, and the oil and gas industry. If the coating is not heat treated, the steel is easily corroded.
6. Copper
Copper is another metal that is highly regarded for precision machining. Copper has the advantages of versatility, durability, conductivity and natural corrosion resistance. The tolerance of copper is not as good as aluminum, but copper is a better electrical conductor, especially when copper plating.
7. Basic plastic
Plastics can be used as cheap, non-metallic, non-conductive raw materials for processing. Because plastics are inert and can be modified to adapt to a variety of different properties, plastic processed parts can be used in various industries, including medical, electronic, industrial and scientific applications. It is famous for its smooth injection molding and extremely low cost.
8. Engineering plastics
In the past ten years, engineering plastics have undergone tremendous changes. In semiconductor applications, it has replaced quartz and aluminum because of its improved performance. Because of its ability to clean or self-lubricate, it is also more common in medical devices. The design of engineering plastics can compete with many advantages of similar metal products.