Custom Steel Part

Custom CNC Steel Machining

Steel combines strength, toughness and heat-treatable performance for shafts, gears, tooling and load-bearing components. Send your drawing for material review, process planning and a clear quotation.

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Custom CNC machined steel parts

Material Performance

Steel Properties by Grade and Condition

Carbon content, alloying elements and heat treatment determine the final strength, hardness, toughness and wear resistance.

steel component
Density7.75–7.90 g/cm³
Tensile Strength370–2,000 MPa
Yield Strength200–1,800 MPa
Hardness120–650 HB
Hardened ConditionUp to 60–65 HRC
Elongation5–35%
Thermal Conductivity20–60 W/m·K
High StrengthHeat TreatableWear ResistantCost Effective
Materials & Machining

Steel Material Selection for Custom CNC Parts

Compare common steel families by machinability, strength, heat-treatment response, wear resistance and corrosion performance.

Cost-Effective Steel Group

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel includes structural and engineering grades. It offers good availability, economical machining and grade-dependent strength.

Common grades
ASTM A36 AISI 1018 AISI 1045 / C45 AISI 1215
Machining AISI 1018 suits general machining, while 1215 supports efficient high-volume turning. AISI 1045 provides higher strength.
Heat treatment AISI 1018 may be carburized. AISI 1045 supports quenching, tempering and induction hardening. A36 is primarily structural.
Surface treatment Black oxide, zinc or nickel plating, phosphate coating and protective paint.
Typical parts Brackets, bases, shafts, pins, spacers, flanges and general machine components.
Strength & Fatigue Resistance

Alloy Steel

Alloy steel provides higher hardenability, fatigue resistance and load capacity for demanding mechanical parts.

Common grades
Machining Machinability depends on hardness and supply condition. Prehardened stock requires rigid setups and suitable tooling.
Heat treatment 4140 and 4340 are commonly quenched and tempered. 8620 is typically carburized for a hard case and tough core.
Surface treatment Nitriding, induction hardening, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating and phosphate coating.
Typical parts Gears, drive shafts, couplings, hubs, spindles and high-load fasteners.
Hardness & Wear Resistance

Tool Steel

Tool steel is selected for hardness, wear resistance, dimensional stability and performance under impact or elevated temperatures.

Common grades
AISI A2 · EN 1.2363 AISI D2 · EN 1.2379 AISI H13 · EN 1.2344 AISI O1 · EN 1.2510
Machining Tool steel is normally rough-machined while annealed. Hardened parts may require grinding or EDM for final features.
Heat treatment Hardening and tempering are grade-specific. Distortion and finishing allowance must be considered before treatment.
Surface treatment Precision grinding, polishing, nitriding, PVD coating and black oxide where compatible with the selected grade.
Typical parts Punches, dies, mold inserts, cutting tools, gauges, fixtures and wear components.
Corrosion-Resistant Steel

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel combines corrosion resistance with grade-dependent machinability, strength and cleanability.

Common grades
Type 303 / UNS S30300 / EN 1.4305 Type 304 / UNS S30400 / EN 1.4301 Type 316 / 316L 17-4 PH / UNS S17400 / EN 1.4542
Machining Type 303 prioritizes machinability. Types 304 and 316L require control of heat and work hardening. 17-4 PH offers higher strength.
Heat treatment Austenitic 303, 304 and 316L cannot be hardened by heat treatment. 17-4 PH is strengthened through age hardening.
Surface treatment Passivation, electropolishing, bead blasting, brushing and precision polishing.
Typical parts Valves, fittings, housings, food-equipment parts and medical or laboratory components made to the required specification.

Similar international grades are not automatically interchangeable. Confirm the governing standard, supply condition, hardness, heat treatment and certification requirements on the drawing or purchase order.

Machining Capability

Steel Machining Capability

Key size and precision ranges for quotation review.

Maximum Part Size3000 × 1600 × 1000 mm
Machined DiameterØ1–200 mm
Maximum Turned Length1000 mm
Minimum Wall Thickness0.5 mm
Standard Tolerance±0.05 mm
Precision FeaturesDown to ±0.005 mm
Surface RoughnessRa 0.2–3.2 μm
Workpiece HardnessUp to 60 HRC

Final capability is confirmed against part size, steel condition, feature geometry and inspection requirements.

Surface Protection

Surface Finishes for Steel Parts

Choose the finish around corrosion protection, wear, appearance, coating thickness and assembly fit.

Black oxide finished steel part

Black Oxide

Thin black conversion layer for appearance and mild corrosion protection.

Zinc plated steel part

Zinc Plating

Sacrificial corrosion protection for fasteners, brackets and outdoor hardware.

Nickel plated steel component

Nickel Plating

Uniform protective coating with improved wear resistance and clean appearance.

Phosphate coated steel shaft

Phosphating

Conversion coating that improves oil retention and paint adhesion.

Machining & Inspection

From Drawing Review to Final Inspection

Machining, grinding, EDM and dimensional inspection support controlled steel part production.

Steel machining production equipment
Five-axis CNC machining equipment
CNC production equipment
Precision machining equipment
CMM dimensional inspection
Precision manufacturing inspection equipment
CNC grinding equipment
Electrical discharge machining equipment

Machined Projects

Custom CNC-Machined Steel Parts

Carbon, alloy, structural and tool-steel parts from prototypes and small batches to repeat production, supported by heat treatment, finishing and inspection.

Steel Machining FAQ

Technical Questions Before Production

Should carbon steel be heat-treated before or after machining?

Stress relief or normalizing is completed before precision machining when stability is required. Final hardening normally follows rough machining, with grinding or finish machining reserved for critical dimensions.

How is heat-treatment distortion controlled?

Use stable stock, balanced machining allowances, stress relief, controlled loading and a suitable quench route. Critical features are left with finishing allowance and verified after treatment.

What is the difference between 1018 and 1045 steel?

1018 machines and welds easily and is suited to general parts. 1045 contains more carbon, providing higher strength and hardenability for shafts, gears and wear-loaded components.

Can hardened steel be CNC machined?

Yes. Hardened steel is machined with rigid setups, suitable carbide or ceramic tooling, controlled heat and reduced cutting loads. Grinding or EDM is selected when hardness or geometry limits conventional cutting.

What requires close attention when milling and turning steel?

Confirm the grade and hardness, use rigid workholding and suitable coated tools, control cutting speed and coolant, and monitor tool wear, cutting heat and chip evacuation. Allowance for later heat treatment must be included before final sizing.

Which finish provides the best corrosion protection for carbon steel?

Zinc plating is a cost-effective choice for general corrosion protection. Nickel plating or a specified coating system is selected when wear, appearance or more demanding service conditions are involved.