Material choice drives cost, lead time, and performance. Here’s how to think about it.

Aluminum: the default for a reason

6061 aluminum machines fast, is affordable, and covers most prototype and production needs. If you don’t have a specific reason to use something else, start here.

Steel and stainless: strength and wear

When you need strength, hardness, or corrosion resistance, steel and stainless are the answer — at the cost of slower machining and higher price. 303/304 stainless is common for parts that need to resist rust.

Plastics: light, insulating, quiet

Delrin (acetal), PEEK, and polycarbonate are great for low-friction, electrically insulating, or lightweight parts. They machine quickly but behave differently than metal — wall thickness and heat matter.

When in doubt, ask

Tell us how the part will be used — loads, environment, budget — and we’ll recommend a material that hits your targets without over-spending. Send us your project.