Material
Steel is iron with a small amount of carbon. It is strong, tough, and cheap. That makes it a top choice for parts that must carry load. We machine steel for customers in automotive, machinery, and construction every day.
Grades
Steel comes in many grades. Each grade balances cost, strength, and how easy it is to cut. Pick the one that fits your part.
Low-carbon steel. Easy to weld, bend, and machine. A good pick for shafts, pins, and spacers.
The common building steel. Great for frames and brackets. Easy to weld.
Higher strength and wear resistance. Used for gears, bolts, and axles.
Cuts very fast. Best for screw-machine parts. Note: not weldable.
Resulfurized steel. Easy to machine and stays straight. Good for rods and studs.
Chromoly. Strong and tough. Used for tooling and heavy-duty parts.
Light yet strong. Common in aircraft and racing frames.
Nickel-chromium grade. Very high strength. Used for shafts and gears.
Tip: free-machining grades (12L14, 1144) cut faster and cost less to machine than alloy grades.
Specifications
| Property | Typical Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Material family | Carbon & alloy steel | Iron + carbon (± alloys) |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ | About 2.8× aluminium |
| Tensile strength | 400–1200 MPa | Varies by grade & heat treat |
| Yield strength | 250–1000 MPa | Higher after hardening |
| Hardness | 120–300 HB | Up to 600 HB hardened |
| Machinability | 12L14 ~160% | 1018 good · 4140 moderate |
| Melting point | ~1420–1540 °C | Depends on grade |
| Service temperature | -50 to 250 °C | Typical range |
Values are typical ranges. Final properties depend on the grade and any heat treatment.
Process
CNC machining uses computers to guide cutting tools. It turns a steel block into a precise part. Here is our typical flow.
Send STEP, IGES, or DWG. The more detail, the better the quote.
Our engineers check your design and suggest cost-saving changes.
3/5-axis mills, lathes, and grinders cut the part to size.
We apply the finish, then QC checks every dimension.
Why Steel
Cheaper than most metals per part. Good for budgets.
Carries heavy loads without bending or breaking.
Pick the right balance of cost, strength, and hardness.
Carbon grades join with simple, standard methods.
Free-cutting grades run fast and keep costs down.
Protect the part and make it look good.
Plan Ahead
Bare steel corrodes in humid air. Add a finish to protect it.
4140 and 4340 need slower speeds and stronger tools.
About 2.8× denser. Watch weight limits for your design.
Thermal sensitivity: steel builds heat when cut. We use coolant and the right tool to avoid warping.
Applications
Brackets, shafts, and suspension parts.
Structural frames and building hardware.
Gears, spindles, and drive components.
Jigs, fixtures, and cutting tools.
Robust parts for farm equipment.
4130/4340 parts for airframes and mounts.
Instruments and machine components.
Downhole and valve components.
Fasteners, pins, and fittings.
Finishes
Steel needs a finish to stop rust and meet looks or function. We offer the common ones.
A thin dark coating. Mild corrosion resistance and a clean look.
A zinc layer that shields steel from rust. Common and affordable.
A bright, hard layer. Good wear and corrosion resistance.
A thick colored layer. Strong protection for indoor or outdoor use.
A heat treatment that hardens the surface for wear resistance.
Smooths the surface and tightens dimensions after cutting.
Design Tips
Don't use alloy steel where mild steel does the job. It adds cost with no benefit.
Put features on fewer faces. Fewer setups mean lower cost.
Sharp inside corners need slow, costly cuts. Round them where you can.
Use common drill sizes to save tool changes and time.
Standard tolerance is ±0.13 mm (±0.005"). Tighter is possible on request.
Our Service
3-axis and 5-axis mills for complex shapes.
Lathes for round parts like shafts and bushings.
For tight tolerances and smooth surfaces.
For hard steel and fine detail cuts.
Get a Quote
Upload drawings or 3D models. Tell us quantity and finish.
Get price and free DFM feedback within 24 hours.
We make the parts and deliver worldwide.
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