Materials

Aluminum parts manufacturer

CNC Machining Service | Custom aluminum parts

Aluminum Parts Machining Services

Allied Metal specializes in high quality custom machining of aluminum parts!
With over 20 years of machining experience, state-of-the-art equipment, and professional service, we provide customized aluminum part solutions for customers in a variety of industries.
Whether you need high-volume production or precise, low-volume customization! Allied Metal can meet your needs for efficient and cost-effective aluminum machining services.

Properties of Aluminum

Aluminum is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal that is used in a wide variety of industries, especially in the aerospace, automotive, electronics and construction industries. Key properties of aluminum include:

  • Lightweight:
    Aluminum’s low density makes it suitable for scenarios that require lightweight design.
  • Corrosion resistance:
    The naturally occurring oxide film on the surface of aluminum resists corrosion, making it suitable for use in harsh environments.
  • Good thermal and electrical conductivity:
    Aluminum has excellent performance in heat conduction and current transmission.
  • Easy processing:
    Aluminum is easy to cut, weld and form, making it suitable for complex machining needs.
  • Recyclability:
    Aluminum has a very high recycling value, making it an environmentally friendly choice.

Common Aluminum Parts

Aluminum is widely used in various industries due to its lightweight, corrosion resistance, excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, and ease of machining. The following are some common aluminum parts:

Common Types of Aluminum Fabrication Materials

Material Type

Characteristics

Common Grades

Applications

Cast Aluminum Alloys

Good fluidity, suitable for casting into complex shapes; often contains silicon for improved fluidity and corrosion resistance

A356, A380, A390

Automotive parts, housings, aerospace components

Wrought Aluminum Alloys

Suitable for rolling, extrusion, forging; generally has good strength and ductility

1050, 1060, 2024, 3003, 5052, 6061, 7075

Construction materials, aerospace, vehicle components, structural parts

Aluminum Foils and Sheets

Thin and lightweight, suitable for packaging and decorative materials; aluminum foil is up to 0.2mm thick

Foil: up to 0.2mm
Sheet: over 0.2mm

Food and pharmaceutical packaging, architectural decor, heat exchangers

Aluminum Rods and Tubes

Available in shapes such as round bars, square bars, round tubes, and square tubes; ideal for structural support or fluid passage

Construction supports, frames, piping systems, furniture, transportation

Aluminum Profiles

Extruded shapes with complex cross-sections, high strength, corrosion resistance, suitable for high-precision frameworks

Building doors and windows, curtain walls, heat sinks, industrial frames and rails

Aluminum Powders and Granules

Small granules, suitable for powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing (3D printing)

3D printing materials, rocket propellants, chemical reaction additives

High Strength Aluminum Alloys

Very high strength and hardness, suitable for high-load, high-stress applications

7075, 7050

Aerospace, military equipment, sporting goods

Corrosion Resistant Aluminum Alloys

Excellent corrosion resistance, suitable for humid or corrosive environments

5052, 5083, 6061

Marine parts, chemical equipment, outdoor structures

Aluminum Honeycomb Panels

Lightweight and high-strength with stable structure, commonly used in composite sandwich structures

Aerospace, architectural decor, vehicle interiors

Common Aluminum Parts Machining Methods

CNC Turning
CNC Milling
CNC Drilling
CNC Grinding
3D Printing
Rapid Prototyping
Sheet metal fabrication
Casting

Surface Treatment of Aluminum Parts

Through surface treatment, the corrosion resistance, hardness, appearance and performance of aluminum parts can be enhanced to make them more adaptable to harsh working environments.
The following are common surface treatment processes for aluminum parts:

Cleaning

Cleaning is an important step in removing machining residues (e.g., oil, cutting fluids) from the surface of aluminum parts to provide a clean surface for subsequent coating treatments.

  • Benefits: Removes contaminants and improves coating adhesion.
  • Applications: All aluminum parts.
Anodizing

Anodizing forms a strong oxide film on the surface of aluminum through electrochemical reaction, which enhances its corrosion resistance, hardness and aesthetics. The process also allows for color dyeing, adding a different appearance to the product.

  • Benefits: Improves corrosion and wear resistance; available in a wide range of colors; maintains the lightweight nature of aluminum.
  • Applications: aerospace, automotive, electronic equipment housings, etc.
Electroplating

Electroplating is the electrolytic deposition of a layer of metal (e.g., nickel, copper) onto the surface of aluminum to provide additional protection and improve wear resistance and aesthetics.

  • Advantages: Enhanced wear resistance and glossy appearance; improved electrical conductivity.
  • Applications: electronic equipment, decorative parts, etc.
Spraying (Painting & Coating)

Painting is the formation of a protective layer on the surface of aluminum by spraying coatings to provide color, luster, and corrosion resistance. Commonly used coating materials include polyester and fluorocarbon.

  • Advantages: Enhances appearance, corrosion resistance, and UV resistance.
  • Applications: construction, home appliances, furniture, etc.
Phosphatizing

Phosphating treatment forms a phosphate film on the aluminum surface through a chemical reaction, improving corrosion resistance and providing better adhesion to the coating.

  • Advantages: Enhances corrosion resistance and improves coating adhesion.
  • Applications: automobile parts, mechanical equipment, etc.
Chemical Plating

Chemical Plating is a currentless plating method that deposits metals (e.g., nickel, copper) on the surface of aluminum parts through a chemical reaction, and is suitable for parts with complex shapes.

  • Advantages: Uniform metal plating, improved corrosion resistance, suitable for complex shapes.
  • Applications: electronics, aerospace, automotive, etc.
Deburring

Deburring is the removal of burrs generated during the machining of aluminum parts to ensure a smooth surface of the parts and prevent the impact on assembly and usability.

  • Advantages: Improve surface smoothness and assembly accuracy.
  • Applications: precision machinery, electronic equipment, etc.

Aluminum Parts Machining Methods Comparison:

Machining Method

Features

Applications

Tolerances

Surface Finish

Cost

CNC Turning

Ideal for cylindrical parts, high precision, efficient production

Mechanical parts, automotive components

±0.01 mm

Smooth (Ra 0.8-1.6 µm)

Medium

CNC Milling

Multi-axis machining for complex geometries

Aerospace, molds, mechanical components

±0.01 mm

High quality (Ra 0.8-3.2 µm)

Medium

3D Printing

Layer-by-layer manufacturing, suitable for prototypes and complex parts

Prototypes, complex geometries

±0.01 mm

Adjustable, rough to smooth

Low to medium

Rapid Prototyping

Quick production for testing and prototyping

Design iterations, test samples

±0.01 mm

Variable

Low

Sheet Metal Fabrication

Suitable for large, thin parts with bending and cutting

Enclosures, brackets, panels

±0.5 mm

Variable

Low

Casting

Mass production of complex shapes, suitable for durable parts

Engine housings, mechanical components

±0.01 mm

Medium (Ra 6.3-12.5 µm)

Low

Brief Explanation of Cost Comparison:

      1. CNC Turning and CNC Milling:
        High precision, moderate cost, suitable for high-demand precision machining.
      2. 3D Printing:
        Ideal for small batch production and complex parts, low upfront cost but higher for mass production.
      3. Rapid Prototyping:
        Lowest cost, ideal for quickly validating design concepts and prototypes.
      4. Sheet Metal Fabrication:
        Good for large-sized or thin parts, lower cost, efficient for mass production.
      5. Casting:
        Best for large quantities and complex shapes, lowest per-unit cost, though initial tooling can be expensive.

This comparison helps you choose the most suitable machining method based on your project’s requirements and optimize your costs accordingly.

Materials

100+ materials can be freely selected to meet your customized processing needs!

Rapid-Prototyping

Metals

Metallic materials are rugged and offer excellent strength and durability.

Plastic parts machining

Plastics

Lightweight and flexible, used in a wide range of industries.

Carbon-Fiber-Component-Processing

Composites

High-performance materials that combine strength and lightweight.

Why choose Allied Metal for aluminum parts machining?

ONE-STOP-SERVICE
ONE-STOP-SERVICE

Professional technical support is available at every step from design to production to ensure smooth processing.

Advanced-Technology
Advanced technology

Equipped with advanced CNC machine tools and other equipment for cast iron parts of various complex shapes and accuracy requirements.

Metal-Material-Expertise
Material expertise

We leverage a robust supply chain and global partnerships to provide high-quality, customized materials for all projects.

Customized-solutions
Customized solutions

We tailor processes to optimize cost, materials, and performance, ensuring efficient, high-quality delivery for any batch size.

FAQ

When choosing an aluminum material, you need to consider its application area, strength, corrosion resistance and processing difficulty. Our team of experts will help you choose the most suitable aluminum alloy material according to your needs.

Yes, we offer flexible small-lot customization services. Whether it is for sample development or small-scale production, we can provide high-quality aluminum parts.

Delivery time depends on the complexity and lot size of the part. We will confirm the delivery time with you at the beginning of the project and make sure it is on time.

We offer a variety of surface treatments, such as anodizing and painting, which can effectively enhance the corrosion resistance and aesthetics of the parts.

Contact us to start your next Auminum parts machining!

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