Aluminum vs Brass: CNC Material Guide for Makers

In the field of CNC machining, the choice of material plays a crucial role in the machining results and the performance of the final product. Aluminium and brass are two common machining materials, each with its own characteristics and suitable for different application scenarios. In this article, we will compare the advantages and disadvantages of aluminium and brass in CNC machining from the aspects of material properties, machining performance, application scenarios, etc., to help you choose the most suitable material.

I. Comparison of the material properties of aluminium and brass

1. Properties of aluminium

Low density: the density of aluminium is about 2.7g/cm³, which is a representative of light metals and suitable for applications that require light weight.

Excellent electrical and thermal conductivity: Aluminium's electrical conductivity is second only to silver and copper, and its thermal conductivity is also very good, and it is widely used in radiators, electronic equipment housings and other fields.

Corrosion resistance: Aluminium forms a dense oxide film in the air, which has good corrosion resistance.

Processing performance: aluminium is easy to process, small cutting force, suitable for high-speed processing.

2. Properties of brass

Higher density: the density of brass is about 8.5g/cm³, much heavier than aluminium, suitable for applications requiring higher strength and weight.

Excellent mechanical properties: brass has good ductility and strength, suitable for precision parts and decorative items.

Good electrical and thermal conductivity: Brass has better electrical and thermal conductivity than aluminium, but slightly less than copper.

Machining performance: brass cutting force is larger, easy to produce chips during processing, but the surface finish is higher.

II. Comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of aluminium and brass in CNC machining

1. Advantages of machining aluminium

Low processing costs: the low density of aluminium, the machining process consumes less material, the cost is lower.

High machining efficiency: aluminium's cutting force is small, suitable for high-speed machining, high productivity.

Suitable for complex shapes: Aluminium has good ductility and is suitable for machining complex curved surfaces and fine structures.

2. Disadvantages of machining aluminium

Easy to deform: Aluminium has a high coefficient of thermal expansion and is prone to deformation due to temperature changes during machining.

Difficulty in surface treatment: The surface of aluminium oxidises easily and requires special surface treatment processes (e.g. anodic oxidation) to improve corrosion resistance and aesthetics.

3. Advantages of machining brass

High surface finish: brass has excellent cutting performance and is suitable for processing high finish surfaces.

Good wear resistance: brass has high hardness, suitable for making parts that need wear resistance.

Suitable for decorative use: brass has a beautiful appearance and is suitable for making decorative items and precision instrument housings.

4. Disadvantages of machining brass

High processing cost: brass has high density, higher material consumption during processing and higher cost.

Difficulty in chip handling: brass chips are easily adhered to the tool, affecting machining efficiency and surface quality.

Difficulty in machining: the cutting force of brass is larger, the requirement of the tool is higher, and it is easy to lead to tool wear.

III. Application Scenarios of Aluminium and Brass

1. Application Scenarios of Aluminium

Aerospace: Aluminium's light weight and high strength make it an ideal material for aircraft and spacecraft parts.

Automotive industry: Aluminium is widely used in automotive engine blocks, wheel hubs and body structural parts.

Electronic equipment: aluminium's conductivity and heat dissipation make it the preferred material for electronic equipment housings and heat sinks.

2. Application Scenarios of Brass

Decorations: The aesthetics and corrosion resistance of brass make it widely used in lamps, door handles and decorative parts.

Hardware: brass is suitable for making high-strength hardware, such as screws, nuts and bearings.

Precision instruments: The high precision machining performance of brass makes it suitable for making parts of precision instruments.

IV. How to choose aluminium or brass?

Choosing aluminium or brass depends on the specific application requirements:

Choose aluminium: if you need light weight, high heat dissipation and low cost, aluminium is a better choice.

Choose brass: If you need high hardness, high wear resistance and aesthetics, brass is more suitable.

V. JLCCNC: Professional Service Provider of Aluminium and Brass CNC Machining

JLCCNC focuses on providing high-precision and high-quality CNC machining services for aluminium and brass, and is committed to meeting the needs of complex parts in various industries:

Technical Strength:

Equipped with advanced 5-axis machining centres and high-precision cutting tools, we can ensure the machining quality of aluminium and brass.

A team of specialists optimises machining parameters to reduce tool wear and cutting temperatures and improve surface finish.

Service Advantage:

provides full-process service from design to delivery to meet the needs of small-lot customisation and high-volume production.

Fast response, provide quotation within 24 hours and deliver the first sample within 72 hours.

Applications:

Aerospace, automotive industry, electronic equipment, decorative products and other fields, to help customers improve product quality and market competitiveness.

Contact JLCCNC today for professional and efficient aluminium and brass CNC machining solutions!