Precision CNC Machining Services for 304 & 316 Stainless Steel Materials | High-Quality Fabrication

A-What is CNC machining for 304 316 stainless material 

In stainless steel CNC machining, a block of stainless steel is machined to form the final desired shape, size, or surface finish. High precision and accurate geometry will be achieved by computer numerical control (CNC) milling cutters.

In modern society, stainless steel parts are popular in many industries and are ideal for a variety of applications from micro medical tools to huge skyscrapers. With its ideal physical properties, it has become an industrial alloy suitable for many CNC machining projects.

B-Benefits of Stainless Steel CNC Machining

CNC machined stainless steel parts show numerous advantages in various applications.

1) High Strength, for parts that need to be machined with thinner metals, stainless steel will be a suitable choice because of its excellent strength-to-weight ratio. What's more, the strength of stainless steel can be further enhanced through hot curing and cold hardening processes because stainless steel has a strong tolerance to harsh environments such as extreme temperatures. Martensitic stainless steel has the highest strength than other metallurgical structures of stainless steel.

2) Versatility and Flexibility

Since stainless steel has great flexibility, it can be easily cut, formed, machined, and welded like traditional steel. To further improve its formability, sulfur is usually added to stainless steel. Austenitic stainless steel is known for its most formable and versatile variations.

3) Strong corrosion resistance

Since stainless steel has high corrosion resistance, it can be used in many applications. Different grades of alloy steel can withstand different levels of corrosion resistance. The higher the grade, the greater the corrosion resistance. Austenitic stainless steel can withstand corrosive environments such as acidic, chloride and alkaline solutions.

4) Durability

Using stainless steel in CNC machining can extend the life of parts and reduce maintenance costs. Stainless steel can also resist rust and corrosion, so it outperforms other metals with these combined properties at a cost-effective price.

5) Attractive appearance

Exquisite appearance is always a demand in the manufacturing industry. Stainless steel can meet the requirements of modern decoration and has an aesthetic appearance because it has a variety of surface treatments to choose from.

Stainless steel grades we use

1) 303, which is one of the easiest austenitic steel varieties to process. This stainless steel has strong toughness, but its corrosion resistance may decrease after the addition of sulfur. It is suitable for mass production due to its good machinability.

2) 304 , this stainless steel contains 8% nickel, 18% chromium, and a maximum carbon concentration of 0.07%. Its superior properties such as good formability and corrosion resistance are demonstrated after CNC machining. It is suitable for decorating any kitchen, home design and theme.

3) 316 , this stainless steel type has higher chemical and corrosion resistance than 304, making it ideal for applications in the marine and defense industries such as ship fittings and chemical tanks. In addition, it can be easily formed, machined, and welded like conventional steels.

4) 416 , this is a steel grade with the highest machinability. However, it improves machinability by sacrificing corrosion resistance, so it is generally more susceptible to corrosion than other stainless steel counterparts.

5) 17-4PH , this is a precipitation hardening (PH) steel grade with excellent corrosion and oxidation resistance. It can be hardened to 44 HRC. The mechanical properties of this steel can be easily improved by heat treatment. Applications include gas turbines and chemical processing components.

6) 15-5 , this is a precipitation hardening (PH) metal. It has better transverse properties, strength and toughness than other martensitic grades. Low temperature heat treatment can be used to improve its mechanical properties.

BOMIS offers a variety of surface treatments for CNC machined stainless steel, including:

1. Polishing. It plays a key role in improving the beauty of metal products. In addition to this, it also increases the ability of the metal t to withstand harsh environments. At the same time, polishing still helps to determine the shape of the mold and the final product manufactured using the polished mold.

2. Sandblasting. It is usually used for cosmetic purposes. A uniform and smooth matte finish is formed by lightly sandblasting the surface.

3. Passivation. For stainless steel, we use nitric acid or citric acid in the passivation process to eliminate the free iron present on the surface. A defensive layer of oxides with low chemical reactivity with the surrounding air is formed through this chemical treatment to prevent corrosion. In turn, when stainless steel is passivated, it will resist rust and corrosion. Learn more about passivation of stainless steel parts.