We machine Aluminum, inconel, titanium, stainless & more

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Aluminum is one of the most widely used Aerospace materials. This is because of its weight to strength ratio. Aluminum is roughly one-third the weight of steel while maintaining a high level of strength. Aluminum also has a high resistance to corrosion, which ensures a long lifespan for the part being made from it. There are several grades of Aluminum, The most common of those being 6061 (more of the general purpose grade) and 7075 (A high strength alloy, generally used in aircraft structures). Aluminum is available in many shapes, Plate, Bar, Tube, Sheet, Structural, Grating, and Expanded Metal. We see plate, bar and tube as the most common forms to come through our door. Though this will vary depending upon your industry. 

Inconel has many advantages over steel and aluminum, but this comes with a higher price tag. Inconel has an ideal combination of heat resistance, toughness, strength and corrosion resistance at high temperatures, making it an ideal solution for some of the most demanding applications. Inconel is the most popular material we machine, second only to Aluminum. Inconel Alloy's 625 and 718 are the highest volume of this performance material that we machine, though it is available in nearly a dozen different grades. You can find this material in forms such as Pipe, Tube, Sheet, Plate, Round Bar, Flat Bar, Hexagon, and Wire. 

Invar is a Nickel-Iron Alloy, most widely known for its low coefficient for thermal expansion. What does this mean for the consumer? Well Invar comes from the word Invariable, due to its tendency to not expand or contract under various temperature ranges. This makes the material stable in a wide range of environments. Invar does have a tendency to creep, which can make it quite tricky to machine, but with proper experience, quality tooling, and an accurate machine the products you can make from this material are near endless. Invar is available in Rod, Sheet and Plate. 

Titanium is as strong as steel but with much higher levels of corrosion resistance, and the added ability to withstand punishing environments. You will often find this material being used in frames, engines, and fasteners. We usually encounter this material when making structural components for our aerospace customers. Its uses do not stop there though, it is widely used in the oil and gas industries, as well as power and medical.  Titanium is available in Sheet, Plate, Bar, Block, Pipe, Tube, and Wire. The most common grades are Titanium Grade 2 and Titanium Grade 5.

Stainless Steel has a tensile strength and temperature tolerance superior to aluminum while maintaining the same high level of corrosion resistance. Generally used in components where strength is critical and additional weight is acceptable. These often include Engine and Exhaust components, Landing Gear components, and Structural Joints. Stainless Steel has a high impact tolerance making it perfect for stabilizers, actuator shafts, and critical fasteners. There are more than a dozen grades of Stainless Steel, the most common that we encounter are 303, 316, 420, and 17-4. You can buy Stainless Steel in many forms like Tube, Bar, Shapes, Hexagon Rod, Sheet, Plate, and even in Forgings. 

Copper is generally thought to only be used for electrical components such as wire and circuit board accessories, however it has more uses than that, even in aerospace. Copper is soft enough to be formed and stretched into various shapes, making it a malleable material yet it is strong enough to hold its shape and not break once formed. Copper shows its true strength in applications that require good conductivity. Copper can be bough in Rod, Plate, Sheet, Bar, Wire, and Coiled Sheet.

Tool Steel has been used in manufacturing for a very long time, especially here in The Motor City. Uses range from injection molding, dies, hand tools, cutting tools, and more. This material has good machinability from the mill, but can be heat treated and hardened post machining to increase its strength and durability. Really any application where high strength and high wear resistance are needed Tool Steel can fill the slot, as long as weight is not a concern. Some of the Grades for Tool Steel are A2, D2, O1, and S7. You can generally find Tool Steel in Bar, Rod, and Plate Forms.