CNC Machining Materials — Engineering Plastics & Metals (ABS, PC, POM, PEEK, AL6061)
JIERCHEN machines a full range of engineering plastics and metals for prototype and low-volume production parts, with the surface finish and tolerance your drawing calls for.
Since 1985, JIERCHEN Enterprise Co., Ltd. (詰晟模型) has supplied CNC-machined prototypes to 1,000+ clients across 10+ countries, including the United States, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, and Australia. Every material below can be held to ISO 2768-f general tolerances, with critical dimensions verified on CMM equipment to ±0.01mm, under our ISO 9001 (Certificate No. 10319/0, AFNOR) quality system.
[Image slot: real in-house photo of machined plastic + metal parts, or CMM inspection in progress — not stock photography]
CNC Plastic Materials — Properties & Applications
Ten engineering plastics cover most functional prototypes, cosmetic mockups, and jigs/fixtures. Compatible surface finishes are cross-referenced to our Surface Finishing page.
| Material | Key Properties | Typical Applications | Compatible Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | Durable, impact-resistant, easy to machine, consistent surface finish | General prototypes, enclosures, housings, form/fit models | Spray painting, sandblasting, silk screen printing |
| PC (Polycarbonate) | High impact strength, available in clear grades, good heat resistance | Clear covers, safety guards, optical windows | Polishing, laser engraving, spray painting |
| ABS+PC Blend | Combines PC toughness with ABS machinability and finish quality | Structural housings needing extra impact resistance | Spray painting, sandblasting, silk screen printing |
| PMMA / Acrylic | Optically clear, glossy surface, rigid | Light pipes, display parts, clear enclosures | Polishing, laser engraving |
| PP (Polypropylene) | Chemical resistant, flexible, supports living hinges | Caps, chemical-contact parts, snap-fit components | Sandblasting, matt finish |
| POM (Acetal / Delrin-type) | Low friction, high dimensional stability, wear resistant | Gears, bushings, sliding mechanisms, precision parts | Polishing, matt finish |
| Bakelite (Phenolic) | Heat resistant, electrically insulating, rigid | Fixtures, jigs, electrical insulating components | Matt finish, sandblasting |
| PTFE | Extremely low friction, chemical and heat resistant | Seals, bearings, chemical-resistant components | Matt finish |
| MC Nylon | High wear resistance, good mechanical strength, self-lubricating | Gears, wear pads, structural load-bearing parts | Matt finish, sandblasting |
| PEEK | High-performance thermoplastic; high heat, chemical & mechanical resistance | Medical devices, high-temperature and high-load prototypes | Polishing, laser engraving |
CNC Metal Materials — Properties & Applications
| Material | Key Properties | Typical Applications | Compatible Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum (AL6061 / AL6063) | Lightweight, good strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistant, highly machinable | Enclosures, structural brackets, heat sinks, robotics parts | Anodizing, sandblasting, e-coating, hairline finish |
| Zinc | Good castability and dimensional stability, cost-effective | Die-cast-style parts, connectors, small hardware | Electroplating, spray painting |
| Copper / Brass | High electrical and thermal conductivity, good machinability | Electrical contacts, connectors, decorative components | Polishing, electroplating |
| Steel | High strength and wear resistance, cost-effective | Structural parts, tooling and fixture components | E-coating, spray painting |
| Stainless Steel | Corrosion resistant, high strength, hygienic surface | Medical device housings, food-contact and marine components | Polishing, electroplating, sandblasting |
How to Choose Between Plastic and Metal for Your Prototype
Most projects come down to three questions: how the part will be tested, how many surface-finish options it needs, and how fast you need it in hand.
Mechanical load & wear
For gears, bushings, and sliding parts, POM, MC Nylon, or PTFE (plastics) and aluminum or stainless steel (metals) hold up best under repeated motion and load.
Heat & chemical exposure
PEEK, PTFE, and stainless steel tolerate higher temperatures and chemical contact than standard ABS or PC — relevant for automotive, EV, and medical device testing.
Cosmetic finish & speed
ABS, PC, and PMMA/Acrylic take paint, polish, and laser engraving well and machine quickly — a good fit for consumer electronics mockups on a tight timeline.
Every project moves through the same process regardless of material: SLA prototyping (1–3 days) for early form checks, CNC machining (3–7 days) for functional and cosmetic parts, vacuum casting (5–10 days) for small batches, and injection molding (4–8 weeks) once the design is locked for production.
CNC Material Questions, Answered
What materials does JIERCHEN CNC machine?
Which material should I choose for a part that needs to handle heat or chemicals?
Can you machine both plastic and metal parts for the same project?
What surface finishes are available for these materials?
What tolerance can JIERCHEN hold on CNC-machined materials?
How should I choose a material for a cosmetic-only prototype versus one that must pass a functional test?
Which plastic and metal materials perform similarly for structural, load-bearing parts?
Can JIERCHEN work with specialty or hard-to-machine materials not listed here?
Not Sure Which Material Fits Your Part?
Send your STEP/IGS file and JIERCHEN’s engineering team will recommend a material and finish based on your tolerance, load, and timeline.
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