Aluminum CNC.
Most-machined material.
Fast & clean.
Aluminum machining — most common CNC material. Excellent machinability, fast cutting speeds, lightweight, anodize-friendly. Most aerospace and consumer products use aluminum CNC.
Key principles.
Workhorse
General-purpose. Excellent machinability. UTS 310 MPa. ~$3-5/kg.
Aerospace
Premium aluminum. UTS 570 MPa. Anodizes well. ~$8-12/kg.
Sheet metal
Sheet/plate forming. Good corrosion. Marine applications.
Aircraft
Aircraft skin material. Stronger than 6061. Less corrosion-resistant.
Extrusion
Extrusion grade. Architectural. Heat sink profiles.
High
500-1000 m/min cutting speeds. 5-10× steel speeds.
FAQ
Best aluminum for CNC?
6061-T6 default. Anodize well, machine easily, mid-cost. 7075 for higher strength applications.
Tooling for aluminum?
Carbide tools, high RPM, generous coolant. Sharp tools prevent built-up edge.
Anodize compatibility?
6061, 7075 anodize beautifully. 2024 difficult to anodize cleanly. Specify anodizable alloy.
Surface finish?
Standard 1.6 µm Ra. Polish to 0.4 µm. Anodize affects surface — account in finish spec.
Tolerance achievable?
±0.025 mm typical. ±0.005 mm with care for precision. Same as other CNC metals.
Cost vs steel?
Aluminum machines 3-5× faster than steel. Material cost similar. Net per-piece cost lower for aluminum.
Get an instant quote
Send your CAD — we reply with detailed pricing, lead time, and DFM feedback within 4 working hours.
Start quoteTalk to an engineer
WhatsApp our team directly. Most messages answered within 12 minutes during work hours.
Open WhatsAppExplore all services
CNC, 3D printing, injection molding, sheet metal, casting, finishing — one quality system, one partner.
See all services