Aluminum Machining Experts: Military, Medical, Automotive & More

Aluminum’s unique properties – including durability, softness, affordability and corrosion-resistance – make it the most popular material for CNC machining. The adaptability of aluminum machining allows manufacturers to create precise, integral parts for a wide variety of industries, from aeronautics to military to electronics and more. With three decades of experience as a high-end machine shop, Reading Plastic can meet all your aluminum machining needs, no matter the application.

The Properties and Benefits of Aluminum and Its Alloys

Aluminum is a lightweight, durable, relatively soft metal that still maintains a good strength-to-weight ratio. It is both non-magnetic and non-flammable, has a low density, and is a good conductor of heat and electricity (although not as good as copper). It has excellent ductility (the ability of a metal to be formed or pressed into another shape without fracturing) and malleability (the ability to be easily formed by hammering or rolling), making it an excellent material for machining.

Aluminum alloys have excellent corrosion resistance and high strength. They are sensitive to high temperatures and can lose some of their strength between 392°F and 482°F, but their strength can actually increase at subzero temperatures, making them the perfect choice for low-temperature applications. Some of the most common aluminum alloys include:

• Aluminum 6061 – Easily machined, economical and high-performance, 6061 is the most widely used aluminum alloy. It has relatively high strength, good workability, excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion and good resistance to seawater corrosion. It is commonly used in aerospace and military applications, electronics, marine fittings and hardware, appliance fittings and hydraulic pistons.
• Aluminum 7075 – With zinc as the primary alloying element, 7075 is the hardest and strongest aluminum alloy. With a strength comparable to many steels – including good fatigue strength – and stress-corrosion cracking resistance, this aluminum is often used for high-stress parts. Aluminum 7075 parts can typically be found in a variety of aerospace and defense applications, gears and shafts, missile parts, aircraft fittings, and regulating valve parts.
• Aluminum 2024 – This aluminum is used when a high strength-to-weight ratio is required. Heat treatable with good machinability and surface finish capabilities, aluminum 2024 is often used for structural applications. Common applications include aircraft parts (gears, shafts, bolts and fittings), couplings, hydraulic valve bodies, pistons, munitions and missile parts.

The Advantages of CNC Aluminum Machining from Reading Plastic

From automobile engines and aircraft fittings, to parts for marine vessels and military vehicles, Reading Plastic can machine the precision aluminum parts you need. With CNC aluminum machining you get:

• Accuracy
• Short production times
• Small to large production runs
• Ability to produce intricate parts
• Tight tolerances

We have been machining to strict standards for over three decades and are ISO 9001:2008 compliant, so you can count on our quality and management. We have machined parts for every branch of the armed forces and frequently machine parts under non-disclosure agreements for both private industry and government clients.

Have a specific project in mind? Contact us today at 610-926-3245 or email site2@readingplastic.com to get started.