To help you understand the difference of the materials that our services offers, the tables below contains useful information for quick references, hint: use Ctrl + F to find what you are looking for quicker.
Metal
| Types | Application considerations |
|---|---|
| Aluminium | Light weight, good mechanical, thermal and electrical conductivity |
| Wrought aluminium alloy | |
| 1000 Series (Pure) | |
| 1050 | High electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance and workability, usually formed by extrusion or rolling, commonly used in electrical and chemical industries |
| 1060 | Very similar to 1050 aluminium, 0.1% higher aluminium by weight than 1050 |
| 1100 | Most heavily alloyed of the 1000 series aluminium. Mechanically strongest in the series, commonly used in rivets |
| 2000 Series (+Cu) | |
| 2014 | Easily machined and among the strongest available aluminium alloys, very poor corrosion resistance, difficult to weld. Often used in aerospace industry |
| 2017 | Higher ductility and formability than Aluminum 2014 and has intermediate strength |
| 2024 | High-strength to weight ratio, excellent fatigue resistance. Poor corrosion resistance, common for aerospace applications |
| 2024 T3 | T3 temper 2024 sheet |
| 3000 Series (+Mn) | |
| 3003 | General-purpose alloy with moderate strength and good workability and good corrosion resistance. Commonly rolled and extruded. Commonly used in sheet metal applications |
| 5000 Series (+Mg) | |
| 5052 | Strain hardening aluminum alloy with excellent corrosion resistance. Suitable for marine applications, can be welded |
| 5052-H32 | 5052 in H32 temper medium to high strength alloy with a strength slightly higher than 5251 and a medium to high fatigue strength |
| 5083 | Strain hardening aluminum alloy with excellent corrosion resistance. Suitable for marine applications, can be welded. Not recommended for use in temperatures in excess of 65°C |
| 5086 | Can be readily welded and retain most of its mechanical strength, extremely popular in vessel gangways, building boat and yacht hulls |
| 5251 | Medium strength alloy possessing good ductility and good formability, often used in sheet metal applications |
| 5754-H22 | Excellent corrosion resistance especially to seawater and industrially polluted atmospheres. It has higher strength than 5251, highly suited for flooring applications |
| 6000 Series (+Si+Mg) | |
| 6060 | Medium strength, more closely related to 6063, but has slightly higher magnesium content. Commonly used in complex cross section extrusion and has very good anodizing response. |
| 6061 T6 | Most popular general-purpose aluminium alloy for many manufacturing methods, excellent machinability and great thermal conductivity, good weldability. Tempered grade T6 |
| 6063 | Good mechanical properties and can be heat treated, suitable for aerospace applications, can be welded. Allows complex shapes to be formed with smooth surface fit for anodizing |
| 6063 T6 | T6 - solution heat treated then artificially aged of 6063 |
| 6082 | Very similar to 6061, with slightly higher tensile strength, commonly used for machining, but not recommended for extrusion |
| 6082 T6 | T6 - solution heat treated then artificially aged of 6082 |
| 6262 | Additions of bismuth to the alloy mean that 6262 has excellent machinability and surface finish |
| 7000 Series (+Zn) | |
| 7050 | Good ductility, high strength, toughness and good resistance to fatigue. High stress corrosion cracking resistance, known as a commercial aerospace alloy |
| 7075 | One of the most commonly used aluminium alloys for highly stressed structural applications and has been extensively utilized in aircraft structural parts. |
| 7075 T6 | T6 - solution heat treated then artificially aged of 7075 |
| 7108 | High strength and good fatigue strength, but limited extrudability and formability. Susceptible to stress corrosion in areas with high stresses |
| Cast aluminium alloy | |
| A357 | Typically used in situations where high strength combined with high corrosion resistance and/or pressure tightness are required |
| A360 | Excellent pressure tightness and fluidity, has a high silicon content and offers high corrosion resistance as well as high strength, even in elevated temperatures. |
| AlSi10Mg | Widely used aluminium alloy for metal printing |
| AlSi7Mg | Slightly less susceptibility to corrosion after low-temp heat treatment |
| LM2 (A383/ADC12) | Slightly lower density to LM24, poor weldability / brazeability |
| LM24 (A380） | Excellent combination of casting, mechanical and thermal properties, resistance to hot cracking |
| LM25 (A356） | Good casting and machining characteristics. Excellent corrosion resistance and has very good weldability. |
| LM6 (A413) | Marine grade, with higher corrosion resistance. Common choice for UK market where the end product will be exposed to outdoor environment |
| MIC6 | Easily machined at high speed and is free from tension, contaminants and porosity. |
| Stainless Steel | High strength, corrosion resistant |
| 15-5 | Martensitic and magnetic, increased toughness and better corrosion resistance than 17-4. Used in aerospace industry for fasteners and structural components |
| 17-4 | Martensitic and magnetic, precipitation hardening alloy with good corrosion resistance predecessor of 15-5 |
| 2205 Duplex | Very high strength and hardness. Suitable for applications in severe environments up to 300°C. |
| 301 | Corrosion resistant similar to 304, with higher tensile strength than 304. Well suited for welding, forming and drawing. Commonly used for structural applications |
| 302 | Non-magnetic, superior corrosion resistance compared with 301. Higher carbon content than 304. Known for its ease of fabrication and formability, commonly used in the food industry. |
| 303 | Excellent toughness, but lower corrosion resistance than 304. Superior machinability thus great for high volume. Commonly used for fittings, gears, shafts, bushings, nuts and bolts |
| 304 | Lowest cost corrosion resistant option, excellent weldability and forming properties, reasonable machinability. |
| 304L | Lower carbon content, excellent mechanical properties and good machinability. Resistant to most environments and corrosive media. Extensively used in heavy gauge components |
| 316 | Similar mechanical properties to 304, with higher corrosion and chemical resistance. |
| 316L | Lower carbon content, good for welding. Commonly used in a lot of industries including chemical, pharmaceutical, medical food processing, marine and architectural applications |
| 321 | Excellent resistance to oxidation and chemical corrosion in elevated temperature environments up to 900℃. Not recommended for welding, |
| 416 | Highest machinability of all stainless steels, however with limited corrosion resistance, formability and weldability. |
| 420 | Martensitic and magnetic, good corrosion resistance with increased strength and hardness |
| 430 | Good corrosion resistance, formability and ductility. Magnetic in all conditions. Suited for chemical applications, popular for domestic appliances |
| 440 C | Highest hardness and wear resistance of any stainless steel once heat-treated. Particularly suited to applications such as valve parts and bearings |
| Mild Steel | High machinability and weldability, high stiffness, poor corrosion resistance |
| 1018 | General-use alloy with excellent machinability, weldability, toughness, strength. Susceptible to corrosion. Considered the best steel for carburized parts |
| 1045 | Medium carbon steel with good weldability and machinability, high strength and good impact resistance. Susceptible to corrosion. |
| A36 | Common structural steel with good weldability. Suitable for a variety of industrial applications. Susceptible to corrosion. |
| CR4 | Cold reduced steel sheets, with a smoother surface and a fine finish. The material provides a great painting surface, typical use includes fuel tanks and tool boxes |
| S275 | Structural grade steel, good machinability and can be welded, suitable for numerous engineering and structural applications |
| S355 | Structural grade steel, higher strength than S275, used in the most demanding environments such as the offshore industry |
| Galvatite | Galvatite is a range of hot-dip galvanised steel sheet and coil products, provide corrosion resistance properties without the cost of stainless steel |
| BS-1C22 | Low carbon, relatively shock resistant steel used in forging process |
| BS-080M40 | Medium carbon steel offering moderate tensile strengths, commonly used in forging process. Reduced weldability |
| BS-080A47 | Carbon / manganese steel with better strength than 1020 mild steel, used in forging process |
| Alloy Steel | |
| 1215 | Low carbon steel, good machinability with good surface finish and brazing properties, difficult to weld |
| 4140 | Low alloy steel, high fatigue strength, abrasion and impact resistance, toughness, and torsional strength. |
| 4340 | Low alloy steel, high toughness and strength in the heat-treated condition |
| 4605 | Low alloy steel, higher hardness and yield strength than 4140 |
| Tool Steel | High hardness and stiffness, abrasion resistant |
| A2 | Air-hardened general purpose tool steel with good toughness and excellent dimensional stability. Not as wear resistant as D2, but has better machinability. |
| A3 | Air-hardened general purpose tool steel with good toughness and excellent dimensional stability. Used for molding dies |
| D2 | Very wear-resistant, retains its hardness to a temperature of 425 °C. Mild corrosion resistance, used for cutting tools and various blades |
| H13 | DIN 1.2344 tool steel, standardised for hot working. Great heat and fatigue resistance and heavily used for die casting tools. |
| M2 | High-speed steel, with well-balanced toughness, wear resistance and red hardness properties. Used in cutting tools such as drills and reamers |
| O1 | Oil-hardened alloy with a high hardness up to 66 HRC. Used for industrial knives and cutting tools. |
| S7 | Shocking resisting but have medium wear resistance. Can be used for both cold and hot working applications |
| MS1 | Custom material developed for 3D printed plastic injection moulding tool / insert (close to H13) |
| CX | Custom material developed for 3D printed Plastic injection moulding tool / insert (close to S136) |
| Maraging steel | Superior strength and toughness without losing ductility |
| 18Ni300 | Ultra-high strength with good machinability |
| Brass (Copper-zinc alloy) | Low friction, excellent electrical conductivity |
| C360 | Superior machinability with good tensile strength and natural corrosion resistance. Ideal for parts that require low friction, good resistance to corrosion |
| C510 | Good strength, formability and stress relaxation characteristics and solderability. Applications include electronic parts, springs, switches and contacts |
| C544 | Phosphor bronze, superb spring qualities and high corrosion resistance, excellent formability, primarily used for electrical products |
| CZ112 (CW712R) | Commonly referred to as naval brass due its corrosion resistance in seawater and other mildly aggressive environments. Excellent hot formability |
| CZ121 | Alpha/beta alloy that is very well suited for machining, good strength and corrosion resistance, easily soldered or brazed |
| H59 (C280) | Cheapest brass with high strength, high hardness, and poor plasticity. Ordinary corrosion resistance |
| H62 (C377) | Good mechanical properties, good corrosion resistance and better plasticity in hot or cold condition |
| Copper alloy | Excellent corrosion resistance, highest thermal conductivity |
| C101 | 99.9% copper, excellent thermal conductivity and high corrosion resistance and toughness. |
| C110 | 99.99% copper, highest thermal and electrical conductivity values, good corrosion resistance. |
| C172 | Beryllium Copper, high formability with very high strength properties when aged |
| Pure copper | Low in hardness, extremely ductile and highly malleable, typically used in 3D printing. |
| CuCrZr | High strength, high thermal and electrical conductivity |
| CuSn10 | High strength and springiness at an adequate conductivity, can be soldered, with good sliding properties |
| Superalloy | High temperature performance, resistance to thermal creep deformation |
| Inconel 625 | Austenitic nickel-base superalloy, medium strength, but better general corrosion resistance |
| Inconel 718 | Austenitic nickel-base superalloy, high strength, 2x stronger than Inconel 625 |
| Hastelloy X | Good oxidation resistance, high-temperature strength and exceptional stress-corrosion resistance, for use in highly aggressive chemical environments at elevated temperatures |
| GH3536 | Manufacture of aero-engine combustion chamber components and other high-temperature parts, 900 ℃ long-term use |
| Titanium | Light weight, high tensile strength and toughness, excellent corrosion resistance and bio-compatibility |
| Titanium (Grade 1) | Most ductile and softest titanium alloy, good solution for cold forming and corrosive environments |
| Titanium (Grade 2) | Commercially pure titanium, highly corrosion resistant, excellent weldability |
| Titanium (Grade 5, TC4) | Also known as Ti6Al4V. Most commonly used titanium alloy, significantly stronger than pure titanium, heat treatable |
| Titanium TC4 DT | Based on Ti-6Al-4V-ELI (Grade 23) Medium strength, developed specifically for aircraft frame and joining parts. Higher tensile strength and fracture toughness than TC4, weldable |
| Titanium TA15 | Enhanced mechanical property with ultrafine crystallites |
| Magnesium alloy | Light weight (33% lighter than Aluminium), high strength-to-weight ratio, great damping capacity. More expensive than aluminium, and could bend easier under stress |
| AZ31B | Good machinability, usually anodized to improve its corrosion resistance, available in different forms |
| AZ91D | Most widely used magnesium die cast alloy and has an excellent combination of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance |
| Nickel alloy | |
| INVAR (FeNi36) | Very low coefficient of thermal expansion. Strong, tough and ductile, used where high dimensional stability is required. Magnetic |
| Monel | Excellent mechanical properties at subzero temperatures, great resistant to corrosion |
| Zinc alloy | More precise than aluminium, and allowing smaller draft angle, thinner wall section, smaller and longer cored holes. Lower casting cost. Not good for corrosive environment, not suitable for using in high or low temperature (below 0°C) environment |
| Zamak 2 | Greatest strength of all Zamak, but more brittle and shrinks overtime, less elastic |
| Zamak 3 | Long term dimensional stability |
| Zamak 4 | Increased strength, hardness and corrosive resistance, but reduced ductility, less dimensional accuracy |
| Zamak 5 | Increased ductility |
| Cobalt chrome alloy | Resistant to corrosion and compatible with dental ceramic |
| CoCrMo | Excellent mechanical properties and elevated temperature performance. Used in implants, turbomachinery, oil and gas industry |
| CoCrMoW | Common in prosthetics dental structures, avoiding bimetallism and the corrosive effect in contact with saliva |
| CoCrW | Better anti-corrosion properties than CoCrMo alloy for dental application |
| Tungsten alloy | |
| W-25 (Tungsten Rhenium WRe) | Ideal for high temperature structural components. Seen in joining, medical, aerospace, furnace, and heat treat industries |
Plastic
| Plastics | Alternative name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | Good mechanical properties, tough and resilient. Allows detailed mouldings, excellent impact resistance. Lego blocks are made of ABS. |
| CPVC | Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride | Significantly more flexible and can withstand higher temperatures than standard PVC |
| HDPE | High Density Polyethylene | High tensile strength with high density, moderately stiff. Extremely good resistance to many solvents. FDA compliant |
| LDPE | Low Density Polyethylene | Lower tensile strength than HDPE but higher resilience, lower density than HDPE |
| PA (Nylon) | Polyamide, Nylon 6 / Nylon 12 | Excellent mechanical properties, high toughness and hardness, good damping characteristics and shock resistance. Susceptible to moisture absorption |
| PBT | Valox, Polybutylene Terepthalate | Closely related to PET, commonly used as an insulator in the electrical and electronics industries |
| PC | Polycarbonate | High toughness, excellent impact strength and good machinability. Can be optically transparent. FDA compliant |
| PC-ABS | Combing superior strength and heat resistance of PC and flexibility of ABS | |
| PC-PBT | Xenoy | Good chemical resistance, great impact resistance at low temperatures, heat resistance, outstanding aesthetics and flow characteristics. |
| PEEK | Polyether Ether Ketone | High-performance thermoplastic, very high strength, thermal and chemical resistant over a very wide temperature range |
| PEI (Ultem) | Polyetherimide | Excellent thermal performance and high mechanical strength and stiffness. Naturally flame retardant, good resistance to acidic solutions and is capable of operating continuously in steam and hot water |
| PET | Rynite, Polyethylene Terepthalate | Excellent wear resistance, mechanical strength and stiffness, minimal moisture absorption, very high dimensional stability. Good creep resistance, FDA compliant |
| PLA | Polylactic Acid | Biodegradable, biocompatible and suitable for medical implants. Widely used plastic filament material in 3D printing. |
| PMMA (Acrylic) | Polymethyl Methacrylate | Transparent rigid plastic, unaffected by moisture, high strength-to-weight ratio. Often used as a substitute for glass. |
| POM-C (Acetal) | Polyoxymethylene Copolymer | High stiffness, low friction & excellent wear resistance, very low water absorption, higher chemical resistance and lower melting point than POM-H |
| POM-H (Acetal) | Delrin, Polyoxymethylene Homopolymer | High stiffness, low friction & excellent wear resistance, very low water absorption, commonly used for gears, bearings, pump components and snap fits |
| PP-C | Polypropylene Copolymer | Tough and rigid, harder and more heat resistant than PE. Tougher and more durable than PP-H, FDA compliant |
| PP-H | Polypropylene Homopolymer | Excellent chemical resistance and the ability to be joined and welded by heat fusion. Stronger and stiffer than PP-C |
| PPE-PS | Noryl, Polystyrene Polyphenyl Ethers | Low moisture absorption, excellent hydrolysis resistance, heat resistance, and dimensional stability |
| PPS | Polyphenylene Sulfide | High-performance thermoplastic, excellent chemical and corrosion resistant at elevated temperatures. The material made a metallic sound when struck |
| PPSU | Polyphenylsulfone | High glass transition temperature and low moisture absorption, better impact strength and chemical resistance than PSU and PES from the polysulfone group |
| PS | Polystyrene (General Purpose GPPS) | One of the most widely used plastics. Clear, hard, and rather brittle, inexpensive. Well suited for extrusion, moulding and vacuum forming |
| PSU | Udel, Polysulfone | Rigid, high-strength and transparent, high dimensional stability. Higher heat resistance and better hydrolytic stability than PC |
| PTFE (Teflon) | Polytetrafluoroethylene | Exceptional resistance to a wide variety of chemicals, excellent thermal resistance and the lowest coefficient of friction of any know solid. |
| PVC | Polyvinyl Chloride | Good mechanical properties, excellent chemical and weather resistance and good toughness. |
| TOPAS COC-6017 | Cyclic Olefin Copolymer | Exceptional optical properties, glass-like. Low moisture absorption rate compared to PMMA and PC. Halogen-free and BPA-free |
| TOPAS COC-8007 | Cyclic Olefin Copolymer | Exceptional optical properties, glass-like. Low moisture absorption rate compared to PMMA and PC. Halogen-free and BPA-free |
| UHMW / UHMWPE | Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene | Self-lubricating, shatter resistant, long-wearing, abrasion and corrosion resistant, has the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic. FDA compliant |
Elastomer
| Elastomer | Alternative name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TPC-ET | Hytrel Polyester Elastomer | Excellent (low temperature) flexibility and flex fatigue along with good resistance to weathering, chemicals, wear and heat which are far better than those of conventional rubber. |
| TPE | Santoprene, thermoplastic elastomer | Ability to stretch to moderate elongations and return to its near original shape creating a longer life and better physical range than other materials |
| TPU | Thermoplastic Polyurethane | High abrasion resistance, low-temperature performance, high shear strength & elasticity, oil and grease resistance, can be transparent |
| TPV | Thermoplastic Elastomer Vulcanized | Closest in elastomeric properties to EPDM thermoset rubber, coupled with aging performance and chemical resistance. |
| Fluorosilicone | Combines the good high and low temperature stability of Silicones with the fuel, oil, and solvent resistance of Fluorocarbons. | |
| Medical Grade LSR | Biocompatible and non toxic, withstands common sterilization methods, inherently flame retardant | |
| SILASTIC | Flexible, inert silicone elastomer developed by Dow Corning | |
| ELASTOSIL | Silicone rubber developed by Wacker Chemie |