Steel CNC Machining Service
Get instant quotes on custom steel machined parts with our online steel CNC machining service. Rapid prototyping and production of parts in a matter of days. Certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485
Steel CNC Machining
Steel is an alloy of iron and about 1% carbon. Small amounts of other alloying elements such as molybdenum or chromium are sometimes added to improve their properties. Steel provides a good balance between cost and function because it is easy to process and weld. However, erosion occurs over time, so surface treatment is needed to protect it.
Steel and steel are among the most widely used manufacturing materials, used in every major industry from construction to automobiles. Its cost performance and some beneficial features make it a versatile material.
CNC Machining Steel At a Glance
| Application | Steel is one of the most widely used manufacturing materials. Its applications can include anything from structural members in the building industry to aerospace-grade parts. |
| Advantages | Cost-effective, Easy to weld, Easy to machine |
| Disadvantages | Not corrosion resistant |
| Lead Time | Minimum lead time on most common steel is 3 days. However, this can increase depending on the steel used or if the parts are to be internationally manufactured. |
| Price | $-$$ |
| Tolerances | Machining tolerances depend on the exact steel used. However, a general tolerance of 0.005” is achievable. |
| Wall Thickness | A minimum wall thickness of 0.03” (0.8mm) is achievable. This can vary depending on the ratio of wall thickness to planar dimension. The specific steel used will also affect the achievable minimum wall thickness. |
| Max Part Size | The maximum size of the part is determined by the machines available and the complexity of the part. |
Steel 1018
Often referred to as mild steel, 1018 has high weldability and is well suited for surface hardening processes such as carburizing. Once carburized, this material is commonly used for gear, mold parts.
Steel 1018 Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 310 | 78 | 20 | 131 | 7.87 |
Steel 4130
4130 This type is often referred to as alloy steel because it has a higher alloying element content than ordinary mild steel. This alloy contains chromium and molybdenum as strengthening elements. These elements greatly improve its mechanical properties. Applications of this alloy steel include faucets, drill bits and aircraft engine supports.
Steel 4130 Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 460 | 80 | 21.5 | 217 | 7.85 |
Steel 4140
4140 steel is very similar to 4130, but has a higher carbon content. The extra carbon increases its strength and gives it better quenching properties. The extra chromium also improves its corrosion resistance. Applications include thin-walled pressure vessels, spindles and high-strength bolts.
Steel 4140 Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 655 | 80 | 25.7 | 197 | 7.85 |
Steel 4140 PH
4140 PH grade steel is a pre-hardened version of standard 4140 steel with outstanding mechanical strength and hardness capabilities. Its pre-hardening eliminates the need for post-processing heat treatment. This is ideal for finished parts where heat treatment can cause unacceptable deformation. Typical applications include shafts, rods, and molds.
Steel 4140 PH Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1241 | 80 | 14 | 429 | 7.8 |
Steel A36
A36 This grade of steel is cheap and easy to weld, so it has become a very common mild steel grade. It is commonly used in manufacturing and structural support applications.
Steel A36 Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 | 79.3 | 20 | 119 | 7.85 |
Steel 1215
1215 This grade of steel has a high sulfur content and is considered a freely machined steel. However, this material has poor weldability. Typical applications include bolts, screws, pins, and components that typically require extensive machining.
Steel 1215 Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 415 | 80 | 10 | 167 | 7.87 |
Steel 4340
4340 steel is a high strength low alloy steel. It has outstanding toughness and strength, and maintains these characteristics at relatively high temperatures. Typical applications include gears, shafts and other structural parts.
Steel 4340 Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 470 | 74 | 22 | 217 | 7.85 |
A2 Tool Steel
A2 steel is cold worked air sintered steel. It has good wear resistance and minimal deformation during heating or quenching. A2 steel is easier to process than other tool steels. It is the most commonly used steel used in manufacturing tools such as punches, trimming and forming molds, cutting blades and molds.
A2 Tool Steel Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 415 | 78 | 21 | 57-62 HRC | 7.86 |
O1 Tool Steel
O1 steel is an oil-cured cold-worked steel. It is characterized by very strong wear resistance and the ability to maintain sharp edges. It is used in the manufacture of punches, cutting and stamping tools as well as blades and other cutting tools.
O1 Tool Steel Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400 | 77 | 20 | 63-65 HRC | 7.83 |
Finishes and Post-Processing Options
We offer a wide range of surface treatments for steel.
Nickel plating: We can uniformly plate nickel on carbon steel to improve its corrosion resistance and wear resistance. This process deposits a 0.1 mm thick layer of nickel on the surface of the component.
Powder coating: The powder coating produces a strong and bright surface, usually between 0.15 and 0.3 mm thick.
Cost-saving Design Tips
Steel is one of the cheapest materials suitable for CNC machining. However, take care to avoid unnecessary machining costs. Below are some cost-saving design tips:
Part setup: Designing a part to reduce the number of machining setups can significantly reduce the cost of manufacturing. This is especially true when machining cheap materials as any cost savings on the material can be quickly eliminated by expensive setups.