What materials are used with a CNC lathe?

Below, I’ll show you the types of materials used to work with a CNC lathe machine and give you some examples of products that are generally manufactured with these materials and machines.

• Steel alloys: An iron-carbon alloy known for its strength, toughness, and low cost. It is used for parts that require high hardness, durability, and abrasion resistance.
Examples of products created with this material: shafts, gears, screws, nuts, cutting tools, etc.
• Copper: A malleable metal known for its high electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and ease of machining. It is used for parts that require good electrical and thermal conductivity.
Examples of products created with this material: coils, electrical contacts, pipes, radiators, etc.
• Stainless steel: A hardened stainless steel that is resistant to corrosion, strong, and durable. It is used for parts that must withstand high loads, chemicals, and abrasion.
Examples of products created with this material: valves, tubes, tanks, medical implants, jewelry, etc.
• Aluminum: A lightweight, non-corrosive metal that is easy to machine. It is used for parts where low density, corrosion resistance, and ease of shaping are important.
Examples of products created with this material: structural profiles, automobile and aircraft parts, window and door frames, etc.
• Zinc: A soft metal with a low melting point, good abrasion resistance properties, and protection against corrosion. It is used for parts that require wear resistance and economical corrosion resistance.
Examples of products created with this material: die-cast parts, galvanic coatings, electric batteries, etc.
• Magnesium: The lightest structural metal of all, easy to machine and cast. It is used for parts that must balance strength, stiffness, and weight, as well as absorb vibrations.
Examples of products created with this material: lightweight and strong automobile and aircraft parts, laptop and mobile phone housings, cameras and video cameras, etc.
• Other viable materials for CNC turning include lead, nickel, tin, ceramics, titanium, thermoplastics, and thermosets. Each material has unique properties that make it suitable for the specific requirements of parts in terms of strength, weight, durability, conductivity, corrosion resistance, and machining. Engineers select materials based on the functional demands of the part and the manufacturing process.
Examples of products created with these materials: lead (projectiles), nickel (coins), tin (solder), ceramics (insulation), titanium (implants), thermoplastics (buttons), thermosets (handles).