The advantages of turning aluminum parts are mainly reflected in two aspects: material properties and machinability.
Lightweight and High-Strength: Aluminum has a density of approximately 2.7 g/cm³, only about 1/3 that of steel. However, its strength can be significantly improved through alloying (such as 6061 and 7075), achieving weight reduction while meeting structural requirements.
Good Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum naturally forms a dense oxide film in the air, exhibiting superior corrosion resistance compared to ordinary steel, making it particularly suitable for harsh environments such as humidity and salt spray.
Excellent Thermal and Electrical Conductivity: Aluminum's thermal and electrical conductivity are second only to copper, making it suitable for applications such as heat sinks, electronic housings, and other thermal management or electrical components.
High Recyclability: Aluminum can be recycled indefinitely, and the energy consumption for recycling is only about 5% of that for producing primary aluminum, aligning with the trend of green manufacturing.
Easy to cut and highly efficient: Aluminum alloys have low hardness and good ductility, resulting in low cutting resistance. This allows for high-speed, high-feed machining parameters, with cutting speeds reaching 3-4 times that of steel, significantly shortening the machining cycle.
Excellent surface quality: By appropriately selecting cutting tools (such as PCD end mills or carbide cutters) and cutting parameters, high-gloss surfaces, even approaching mirror finishes, can be achieved.
Controllable machining deformation: Although aluminum has a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion, precision can be effectively guaranteed by optimizing fixtures (such as vacuum chucks), employing symmetrical machining, and controlling cutting heat.
Long tool life: When machining aluminum alloys with PCD (polycrystalline diamond) tools, excellent wear resistance and a lifespan far exceeding that of traditional carbide tools make them suitable for mass production.
