Select the metal. Then design the process around it.
Manufacturing metals include broad families of ferrous and nonferrous materials whose strength, weight, corrosion resistance, temperature performance, conductivity, formability, machinability, and cost vary widely.
The strongest alloy is not automatically the best manufacturing material.
Each alloy family brings a different combination of properties and manufacturing behavior.
Carbon & Alloy Steel
Broadly used for structural components, shafts, fasteners, tooling, machinery, fabricated products, and high-strength applications.
02Stainless Steel
Selected where corrosion resistance, hygiene, appearance, temperature capability, or durability are important.
03Aluminum
Combines low density with useful strength, corrosion resistance, machinability, formability, and extrusion capability.
Copper Alloys
Copper, brass, and bronze materials can provide electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, or bearing properties.
Titanium
High strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance make titanium useful where performance can justify more demanding manufacturing.
Nickel & Specialty Alloys
Specialty metals can support elevated temperature, corrosion, wear, or highly demanding service environments.
Material properties have to be considered together with manufacturing requirements.
Strength, stiffness, fatigue, impact, wear, and fracture behavior may control alloy choice.
Moisture, chemicals, temperature, salt, oxidation, and cleaning exposure can change corrosion requirements.
Density becomes important in transportation, aerospace, portable equipment, moving systems, and weight-sensitive assemblies.
Machining, casting, forging, stamping, welding, extrusion, finishing, and heat treatment each interact differently with alloy selection.
Stock form, thickness, bar size, plate, extrusion billet, forgings, certification, and mill availability affect practical sourcing.
Material and process selection should happen together.
A metal that performs well in service may create unnecessary manufacturing cost if it is difficult to source, machine, weld, cast, form, finish, or heat treat.
Metal families differ across several production-relevant characteristics.
| Material Family | Relative Density | Corrosion Behavior | Common Production Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | Higher | Often needs protection | Strength, availability, fabrication |
| Stainless Steel | Higher | Generally strong | Corrosion resistance and durability |
| Aluminum | Lower | Generally good | Weight, machining, forming, extrusion |
| Copper Alloys | Higher | Varies | Electrical, thermal, bearing properties |
| Titanium | Moderate | Very strong in many environments | Strength-to-weight performance |
Need a broader material-selection framework?
Compare mechanical, environmental, manufacturing, supply, and commercial requirements before locking a material into the design.
Material Selection Guide →