Comparison of CNC Machining Materials

CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) is a thermoplastic plastic obtained by chlorination modification of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Such structural changes enable it to far outperform ordinary PVC in terms of heat resistance, mechanical properties, and chemical resistance, making it an ideal material for high-temperature and corrosive environments.

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a low-cost and easily processable plastic material. It is often used in the manufacturing of low-strength structural components in scenarios where comprehensive requirements for a material’s impact resistance, processability, and cost are required. Additionally, with its excellent dimensional stability and ease of being painted and bonded, it has become an ideal material for prototyping.

PEI (polyetherimide) is a high-performance thermoplastic engineering plastic that combines excellent heat resistance, mechanical properties, and chemical stability, enabling it to be widely used in high-end industrial fields such as aerospace, electronics and electrical engineering, and medical equipment.

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is lighter than water, soft and tough, with excellent acid and alkali resistance as well as electrical insulation properties. It is widely used in fields such as packaging, agriculture, electronics, and daily necessities.

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a lightweight, chemically resistant, and high-strength material. It is flexible and tough, commonly used in applications such as food packaging (e.g., food containers), agricultural films, daily necessities (e.g., storage boxes), and water tanks.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely used thermoplastic polymer material characterized by excellent mechanical properties, outstanding corrosion resistance, and superior electrical insulation performance. By incorporating various additives, it can be tailored to meet customized requirements. Owing to its unique combination of properties, PVC finds extensive applications in fields such as construction, industry, packaging, and healthcare.

Stainless steel 316 combines exceptional corrosion resistance with excellent machinability. This unique balance of “high corrosion resistance + ease of processing” makes it a material of choice for applications demanding the highest levels of reliability. It is widely employed in fields such as chemical processing, food production, and marine engineering, where it consistently meets stringent performance requirements across diverse operating conditions.

stainless steel 304 is also known as 18/8 stainless steel, which contains approximately 18% chromium (Cr) and 8% nickel (Ni). It not only possesses excellent oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance, but also has good workability and surface quality. Currently, it is the most widely used stainless steel grade in industrial manufacturing and civil applications.

Low carbon steel (with carbon content not exceeding 0.25%) is one of the most commonly used types of steel in both industry and daily life, thanks to its excellent plasticity, weldability, and low cost. It is widely applied in components such as pistons, screws, and drive shafts. However, due to its limited strength, it usually requires post-treatment.

Brass is an alloy primarily composed of copper and zinc. This golden-hued material not only exhibits excellent weather resistance and corrosion resistance, but its tensile strength also rivals that of low-carbon steel, demonstrating outstanding mechanical properties. Brass boasts exceptional machinability, enabling it to support higher feed rates during processing operations such as cutting and stamping, while requiring minimal cutting fluid. This combination significantly reduces both processing costs and process complexity.