Aerospace

Material: A2 Tool Steel

Description: A2 tool steel is an air-hardening, cold work chromium alloy tool steel with excellent wear resistance and toughness, commonly used for punches, dies, cutting tools, and industrial knives. It provides an effective combination of strength and toughness with good dimensional stability in heat treatment.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 7 days

Finishing Options: Media Blasting, Vibratory Tumbling, Black Oxide, Powder Coating

Description: Aluminum alloys are lightweight materials with excellent strength-to-weight ratio, superior thermal and electrical conductivity, and outstanding corrosion resistance, widely used in aerospace, automotive, and electronics applications. They offer excellent machinability and can be heat-treated to achieve high strength.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 3-5 days

Alloys: 606, 6063, 7075, 2024, 5052, 3003

Finishing Options: Anodizing, Media Blasting, Powder Coating, Polishing

Description: Brass is a copper-zinc alloy with exceptional machinability and corrosion resistance, featuring good tensile strength and excellent formability. It demonstrates superior electrical conductivity and is commonly used for electrical connectors, decorative components, and plumbing fittings.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 5-7 days

Alloys: Alpha Brass (>65% Cu), Beta Brass (~50% Cu/Zn), Naval Brass, Free-cutting Brass

Finishing Options: Polishing, Electroplating, Passivation, Media Blasting

Description: Bronze is a copper-tin alloy known for exceptional strength, durability, and corrosion resistance with 00% machinability rating. It provides excellent bearing properties and is commonly used for bearings, gears, and precision components.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 7-0 days

Alloys: Aluminum Bronze (9-11% Al), Phosphor Bronze (0.3-0.5% P, 5-10% Sn), Silicon Bronze (3-6% Si)

Finishing Options: Polishing, Passivation, Vibratory Tumbling, Electroplating

Description: Cast iron offers high compressive strength and excellent machinability with cost-effectiveness, commonly used for engine blocks, gears, cylinder heads, and brake discs. It provides superior dimensional stability and vibration damping properties.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 0-4 days

Alloys: Grey Cast Iron (Flake Graphite), Ductile Cast Iron (Nodular Iron), Malleable Cast Iron (Black/White Heart)

Finishing Options: Media Blasting, Powder Coating, Painting, Electroplating

Description: Copper provides unparalleled electrical and thermal conductivity second only to silver, with excellent antimicrobial properties and corrosion resistance. It is commonly used for busbars, heat sinks, and electrical connectors.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 5-8 days

Alloys: Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC, C1020), Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper (ETP, C11000), Phosphorus Deoxidized Copper (C12200), Pure Copper, Tough Pitch Copper

Finishing Options: Polishing, Passivation, Electroplating, Anodizing

Description: Invar alloy exhibits extremely low thermal expansion coefficient with exceptional dimensional stability, commonly used in optical instruments, aerospace applications, and precision electronic devices. It maintains strength and toughness at cryogenic temperatures.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 4-2 days

Alloys: Invar 36 (Fe-36%Ni), Super Invar (Fe-Ni-Co alloy), Invar 42 (Fe-Ni 42% Ni)

Finishing Options: Passivation, Polishing, Electroplating, Vibratory Tumbling

Description: Kovar alloy features thermal expansion coefficient matching glass, commonly used for vacuum tubes, X-ray tubes, microwave tubes, and aerospace sealing applications. It offers excellent machinability and compatibility with borosilicate glass.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 4-2 days

Alloys: Kovar (Fe-Ni-Co approx. 29% Ni, 17% Co), Alloy 42 (Fe-Ni approx. 42% Ni), Ceramic sealing alloys

Finishing Options: Passivation, Electroplating, Polishing, Black Oxide

Description: Magnesium alloy is the lightest structural metal with excellent strength-to-weight ratio and superior machinability, commonly used for transmission cases, steering wheels, and engine blocks. It offers exceptional vibration damping and electromagnetic shielding properties.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 5-7 days

Alloys: AZ91D, AM60B, AM50A, AS41B, ZK60, WE43

Finishing Options: Anodizing, Chemical Conversion Coating, Powder Coating, Polishing

Description: Stainless steel provides excellent corrosion resistance, strength, and durability with superior formability. Grade 304 offers excellent forming capability while Grade 36 provides enhanced corrosion resistance in chloride environments.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 7-4 days

Alloys: 304, 316, 316L, 420, 17-4 PH

Finishing Options: Passivation, Polishing, Electroplating, Media Blasting

Description: Steel offers exceptional strength, wear resistance, and durability with high shear modulus, commonly used for automotive engine components, gearboxes, and industrial machinery. Alloy steels provide improved mechanical properties through controlled alloying elements.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 7-0 days

Alloys: Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Steel, HSLA Steel

Finishing Options: Black Oxide, Powder Coating, Electroplating, Polishing

Description: Titanium alloys provide excellent strength-to-weight ratio, superior corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility, commonly used for compressor blades, surgical equipment, and pressure vessels. They maintain excellent properties at elevated temperatures.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 4-2 days

Alloys: Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V), Grade 2, Grade 7, Grade 23

Finishing Options: Anodizing, Polishing, Passivation, Chemical Etching

Description: Tool steel provides exceptional wear resistance and toughness with superior edge retention, commonly used for manufacturing fixtures, tools, punches, gauges, and cutting implements. It offers excellent dimensional stability after heat treatment.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 7-0 days

Alloys: A2, D2, H3, O, M2, S7, W, M42

Finishing Options: Media Blasting, Vibratory Tumbling, Black Oxide, Powder Coating

Description: Zinc alloy offers excellent machinability and dimensional stability with superior electrical conductivity and shielding properties, commonly used for electrical connectors, heat sinks, and protective shielding. It provides outstanding die casting capabilities and full recyclability.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 3-5 days

Alloys: Zamak 2, Zamak 3, Zamak 4, Zamak 5, Zamak 7

Finishing Options: Electroplating, Powder Coating, Anodizing, Polishing

Description: Acrylic is a transparent plastic known for its excellent strength, rigidity, and optical clarity. It is lightweight—about half the weight of glass—but offers many times the impact resistance. Acrylic is easy to machine, bonds well, and thermoforms easily. Widely used in signage, displays, architectural glazing, and LED lighting panels with superior weather resistance.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 2-4 days

Colors / Finishes: Clear, black, white, various colors

Description: Delrin (Acetal) is a high-performance thermoplastic with excellent wear resistance, high strength, and dimensional stability. It remains tough and stable under extreme conditions with low friction, especially in wet environments, reducing wear. Commonly used as a metal replacement in automotive, electrical, and medical components.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 3-5 days

Colors / Finishes: Natural white, black, brown

Description: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a widely used thermoplastic with rigidity and excellent chemical resistance. It is ideal for containers storing liquids, food, and chemicals. HDPE is lightweight, easy to machine and weld, and available with UV-resistant formulations for outdoor use.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 2-3 days

Colors / Finishes: Natural white, black, customizable colors

Description: Nylon is a versatile engineering thermoplastic with high strength, excellent wear resistance, and good chemical resistance. It is tough, elastic, and resistant to oils and many chemicals. Nylon dries quickly and is widely used in apparel, industrial belts, airbags, and mechanical parts manufacturing.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 3-5 days

Colors / Finishes: Natural white, black, various engineering colors

Description: PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is a high-performance engineering plastic with outstanding chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and dimensional stability. It can withstand continuous use at temperatures up to 338°F (170°C). PEEK resists hydrolysis and is used in aerospace, oil & gas, food processing, and semiconductor industries.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 7-10 days

Colors / Finishes: Natural brown, black, custom colors

Description: Polycarbonate is a durable, versatile thermoplastic known for its exceptional impact resistance and natural transparency. Nearly unbreakable, it is ideal for safety-critical applications such as bulletproof glass, safety goggles, and automotive headlamp lenses. It withstands high temperatures without melting or deforming.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 3-5 days

Colors / Finishes: Clear, black, white, various colors

Description: Polypropylene is a popular plastic for manufacturing products with incredible chemical resistance. It handles acidic solutions well and is ideal for cleaning product containers. It is tough with excellent energy absorption and resists cracking under twisting and bending. Also electrically resistant, making it suitable for electronics.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 2-4 days

Colors / Finishes: Natural translucent, white, black, multiple colors

Description: PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide) is a high-end technical plastic with excellent heat resistance, mechanical properties, electrical insulation, chemical stability, and wear resistance. It can operate continuously at 200-240°C without deformation or loss of properties. PPS is a superior electrical insulator over a wide voltage range.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 5-7 days

Colors / Finishes: Natural brown, black, custom colors

Description: PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is a durable, flexible elastomer with outstanding chemical resistance and excellent thermal and electrical properties. It has the lowest coefficient of friction among solids and operates safely from -30°C to +200°C. Its chemical inertness makes it ideal for sensitive environments like laboratories.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 4-6 days

Colors / Finishes: Natural white, black, customizable colors

Description: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is a versatile and cost-effective thermoplastic with good electrical insulation due to high dielectric strength. It resists weathering, chemical corrosion, impact, and abrasion. High chlorine content gives PVC self-extinguishing properties. It offers excellent physical and mechanical performance with low maintenance requirements.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 2-3 days

Colors / Finishes: White, gray, black, multiple colors

Description: UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) is an extremely tough plastic with high abrasion and wear resistance. Its versatility makes it popular for countless industrial applications requiring durability, low friction, and chemical resistance. UHMW has very low moisture absorption and is widely used in marine construction and protective applications.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 3-5 days

Colors / Finishes: Natural white, black, multiple colors

Description: Ultem (Polyetherimide, PEI) is known for outstanding mechanical properties, excellent dimensional stability, and resistance to chemicals and high temperatures. It outperforms many engineering thermoplastics in strength and retains properties at elevated temperatures. Used in aerospace, automotive interiors, electrical connectors, and medical devices.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 5-8 days

Colors / Finishes: Natural amber, black, custom colors

Description: FR4 is a flame-resistant glass epoxy laminate composed of woven fiberglass cloth impregnated with epoxy resin and cured under high pressure and temperature. It offers exceptional mechanical strength, excellent electrical insulation properties, and outstanding dimensional stability with near zero water absorption. FR4 maintains its high mechanical values and electrical insulating qualities in both dry and humid conditions, making it ideal for electrical insulators, printed circuit boards, and electronic enclosures.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 7-10 days

Colors / Finishes: Natural yellow-green, custom colors available

Description: Polyethylene is a widely used thermoplastic polymer with high chemical, electrical and thermal properties, able to withstand different environmental conditions. It offers excellent chemical resistance to water, salt solutions, acids, alkalis, alcohol and gasoline, making it popular for fuel containers and tanks production. PE is physiologically harmless, tasteless and odorless, making it suitable for food industry applications with excellent machinability and recyclability.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 2-3 days

Colors / Finishes: Natural white, black, customizable colors

Description: PP5 stands for polypropylene with recycling category 5, representing the second-most produced plastic type globally with about 45 million tonnes created annually. It offers high flexibility with elastic properties, tensile strength around 4,800 psi, lightweight design, and excellent chemical stability resistant to fats, acids, alkaline, and various chemicals. PP5 has low water absorption (less than 0.01% in 24 hours) and excellent weldability due to its low melting point.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 2-4 days

Colors / Finishes: Natural translucent, white, black, custom colors

Description: Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is a lightweight composite material with an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, being 10 times stronger than steel while having a specific gravity about one-quarter that of iron and two-thirds that of aluminum[7]. It offers high rigidity, excellent dimensional stability, and superior heat resistance up to 400°C[7]. Carbon fiber is widely used in aerospace, automotive, sporting goods, and precision machinery applications due to its outstanding mechanical properties and design flexibility[7].

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 3-7 days[4]

Finishing Options: As-machined, sanding, resin coating, polishing[5]

Colors: Natural black, colored options available (blue, red, silver, custom colors)[8]

Tolerance: With drawing: as low as ±0.125mm (±0.005″)[2]
No drawing: Standard machining tolerances

Description: Torlon is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its outstanding durability, thermal stability, and resistance to corrosive substances, maintaining consistent functionality in demanding settings. It is a preferred material for sectors like aviation, vehicle manufacturing, and petroleum industries. Moreover, Torlon exhibits strong resistance to harsh chemicals, making it appropriate for challenging conditions involving frequent contact with reactive agents and industrial solvents.

Mill Lead Time: As fast as 7 days

Finishing Options: Available as-machined

Colors: Natural (light brown)

Tolerance: With drawing: as low as +/-0.005 mm
No drawing: ISO 2768 medium